New Delhi: Karva Chauth is a Hindu festival when married women observe a fast from dawn to moonrise for the long life of their husbands. But the festival is unhealthy,
especially due to dehydration. To ensure a safe and sustained fast, dietitians emphasise the importance of strategic pre-dawn and post-fast meals.
The importance of Sargi
Sargi is a special pre-dawn meal. After eating Sargi, the fast begins in earnest. Traditionally, it is a nourishing thali which is prepared and sent by the mother-in-law to the daughter-in-law. Sargi usually contains fruits, sweets and dry fruits. It is not just a source of energy but a symbol of love and respect between generations of women. These days, many women living away from home, even unmarried women, make their own Sargi as a mark of faith.
What to eat for sustained energy
Experts advise focusing on foods that supply a slow, steady stream of energy. Complex Carbohydrates: Begin your Sargi with foods such as oats, quinoa or brown rice. These complex carbs give you a slow release of energy and keep you full for hours.
Protein-Rich Foods: Protein is important to maintain strength and minimise muscle loss. Good sources include paneer, yoghurt, almonds, walnuts, chia seeds and other soaked nuts and seeds.
Hydration: It’s very important to stay well hydrated. Eat hydrating foods like cucumber, oranges and watermelon before the fast and drink plenty of water. Drinking coconut water or buttermilk an hour before can help replenish crucial electrolytes and actively prevent dehydration.
Fibre-Rich Foods: Include fruits that are rich in fibre, such as an apple, banana or pear, in the meal. They provide essential vitamins and minerals and help with easy digestion.
Which Foods Must Be Avoided
Avoid refined sugars and processed foods, as they cause blood sugar spikes followed by energy crashes. Too much salt can lead to dehydration, so keep it minimal. Foods with a lot of salt are also bad because they increase the need for water in the body.
Written By Uditi Sharma!
