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Navratri is a time of rituals and celebrations, but for so many people in India, it's also the time for Navratri fasting. Several communities in India abstain from alcohol, onion, garlic, or non-vegetarian food. In contrast, other communities strictly limit their diet even more, with all nine days of Navratri dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Although this phase has a scientific explanation too, most people fast during Navratri for spiritual purification. Navratri overlaps the time of changing seasons when body immunity is at its lowest and chances of falling sick are higher. The appropriate way to get your body ready for the change is to abstain from heavy fat-loaded food and cleanse with light, easy-to-digest components rich in proteins and fiber.
While these nutrients are great for your health, preparing traditional Navratri fast food does not take it easy on your midsection. Kuttu Ki Puri, Sabudana Vada, potato chips, Makhane Ki Kheer, and other treats are deep-fried or high in sugar, so avoiding these is best. You can prepare these easy-to-make Navrati items with simple ingredients. Shop for Indian groceries in USA at our online store and have them all delivered right to your doors in the USA.
Here's a list of ten food options that you can consume if you're keeping fast for Navratri.
1. Kuttu Atta
Navratri Kuttu Atta also known as buckwheat flour is one of the most commonly used items to prepare Navratri Fasting Food that is healthy and delicious. One of the purest flours, Kuttu atta is considered a top choice to consume during puja, especially by people who are fasting and want to get into deep reverence of spirituality.
Kuttu Atta also known as buckwheat flour is loaded with fiber, essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese.
Buckwheat has fatty acids that help in keeping blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol in check. During Navratri, puris are typically made of Kuttu flour. You can give this twist of healthiness by making rotis out of them. You can also use boiling and mashed sweet potatoes for the binding.
2. Sabudana
Sabudana is a good source of carbs. It provides energy when fasting, cools the body, and digests quickly.
Though the fat and protein content is low, it can be made with other ingredients to form kheer, payasam, gruel, sabudana with vegetables, and sabudana khichdi. Fat control can be a healthy choice too.
3. Samak Chawal
Samak chawal can be a very good substitute for rice, as it tastes almost like broken brown rice when cooked. It is so-called Sanwa rice. It gives energy and is abundant in fiber, B-complex vitamins, and essential minerals like iron and magnesium.
It is also said to be high in phytochemicals, which help decrease cholesterol. Have you ever paired it with dahi or peanut kadhi? It is a complete dinner, with carrots or cucumber on the side.
4. Rajgira
Rajgira grain, otherwise known as amaranth, is rich in protein, manganese, iron, and phosphorus. It is either used in the form of puffed grains or flour during the fast. One can also indulge in rajgira chikki to satisfy all sweet cravings. Rajgira flour or puffed porridge of amaranth with nuts can also be a great breakfast.
5. Singhara Atta
Water chestnut flour, otherwise called singhara atta, is derived from dried and powdered water chestnuts. Singhara ka Atta is rich in minerals as well as vitamins. It abounds with vitamins B and potassium. It also contains several antioxidants. The best mode of consuming singhara atta is to make rotis. You can even make dhoklas from singhara atta.
6. Makhana
An instant favorite during fasting, Makhana is rich in antioxidants and considered to be an anti-aging diet since it fights white hair, wrinkles, and early aging. It eliminates constipation since it has a very high content of fiber. It helps to remove wastes hence preventing the accumulation of toxins.
These nuts are low in saturated fats and sodium, but high in magnesium and potassium; they help control blood pressure in patients with hypertension, diabetes, palpitation, and insomnia.
7. Legumes and Pulses
Sundals are prepared during Navratri by mixing pulses like green gram, Bengal gram, red gram dal, green gram dal, and so on with coconut. Pulses are an excellent source of proteins and are rich in fiber with adequate vitamins and minerals.
8. Dry Fruits
Dry fruits are tiny nuggets of a number of benefits. As garnish to sweets during fasting, almonds, pistachios, cashew nuts, and kishmish are consumed. A handful of nuts can be eaten as a snack or even for breakfast to retain energy all day.
9. Fruits and Vegetables
A meal of fresh fruits and vegetables is very palatable while on your fasting schedule. Some of the veggies normally used during Navratri include bottle gourd, potato, pumpkin, colocasia, yam, sweet potato, cucumber, raw plantains, tomato, carrot, raw papaya, and spinach.
Root vegetables-better boiled instead of fried should also be included as a source of good energy in fasts. Bottle gourd, pumpkin, and cucumber have water content so cool and filling ratios are maintained. Avoid fruit entirely in this case.
10. Dairy Products
At any time of the day, dairy products, particularly low-fat ones, are consumed to gain protein for sustained energy. The digesting time of milk protein is long so that blood sugar keeps on flowing smoothly and evenly. For hunger pangs, one can have plain milk or buttermilk, make sugar-free fruit juices, or prepare paneer tikka.
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