New Delhi: The day of Maha Shivratri establishes a sacred time period, which Hindu devotees observe through fasting practices that are believed to cleanse
their mental and physical states. The term fasting does not allow people to consume only deep-fried snacks and sweet items.
The way you eat during vrat determines whether you will maintain your energy or experience bloating and tiredness. People should select foods which provide essential nutrients through light and balanced options that meet traditional dietary requirements.
Vrat-friendly recipes
Here are some simple and healthy vrat-friendly recipes by Dr Pratyaksha Bhardwaj, World record holder dietician weight management expert.
1. Samak Khichdi
The dish uses barnyard millet, which has gluten-free properties and provides light digestion. The dish needs cumin seeds and grated ginger, diced bottle gourd or carrots and roasted peanuts for protein and healthy fats. The dish needs minimal ghee and sendha namak for flavouring. The one-pot meal delivers continuous energy because it stops unexpected hunger.
2. Lauki and Peanut Soup
People who fast find bottle gourd to be their perfect food because it provides necessary hydration and needs no effort to digest. The recipe requires you to first sauté cumin and ginger in ghee before you add chopped lauki, which you will cook until it becomes soft, and then blend with soaked peanuts to create a natural cream. The evening meal features this soup, which provides digestive comfort through its calming properties.
3. Light Sabudana Bowl
People usually eat Sabudana during Hindu fasting. The food should be soaked and then cooked with cumin and curry leaves, green chillies and roasted peanut powder. The addition of boiled sweet potato cubes increases fiber content and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
4. Kuttu (Buckwheat) Cheela with Curd
It contains high amounts of plant-based protein together with dietary fibre. Create a thin batter by combining kuttu flour with grated lauki and then cook it in a non-stick pan using only a small amount of ghee. The dish should be accompanied by fresh homemade curd. This combination supports digestion and keeps you full longer.
5. Makhana and Nut Mix
The process requires dry roasting makhanas with one teaspoon of ghee before combining them with almonds and walnuts. The snack delivers essential nutrients through its magnesium content, antioxidant properties and healthy fats, which effectively combat exhaustion.
The process of hydration holds equal value with all other hydration methods. Electrolyte levels remain stable through the consumption of coconut water and lemon water made with sendha namak and fresh buttermilk, which one should drink only after obtaining permission.
The correct way to organise a fasting period should result in your body experiencing weight loss while your body becomes more energetic instead of feeling tired. Your choice to eat basic natural foods demonstrates your respect for Maha Shivratri’s spiritual significance while you protect your health.
