Navratri Fasting Tips: Fasting is not only an important spiritual aspect but it is a great way to detox your body. A good detox includes a cleansing plan that helps our body periodically rid itself of excess substances and old mud that have accumulated in our tissues. Consumption of light, fresh and unadulterated foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, natural drinks including coconut water, green vegetable juices, lime water and fermented drinks complement these natural detox methods of our body. Fasting also helps in weight loss by limiting calorie intake and speeding up metabolism. However, people with diabetes need to be especially careful if they plan to fast.Also read – Harnaz Sandhu gains weight due to celiac disease – here’s everything about Miss Universe who suffers from a health condition
Here are some things to keep in mind for people with diabetes who are planning to fast in the coming Navratri: Also read – Chaitra Navratri 2022: Railways will provide special ‘Vrat Ka Khana’ to IRCTC passengers. Check out the full menu here
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking a little coconut water, milk or plain water at the beginning of the day.
- Regularly monitor your sugar levels throughout the day to prevent you from having an attack of hypoglycemia.
- Do not skip medication during fasting. For insulin, patients make sure that you adjust the amount of insulin according to your blood sugar level and diet. You can consult your diabetes teacher or doctor before doing so.
- Eat small meals 2-3 hours apart during the day. Prolonged gastric emptying can lead to acidity.
- Choose low glycemic index food options such as baked snacks or fruits, yogurt and milk. High glycemic foods increase your sugar readings and can cause this problem.
- Avoid high carbohydrate foods; Instead of refined flour and potatoes, choose healthier alternatives such as kidney bean flour from which you can make roti and baked snacks.
- Eat power-packed foods such as fruits, nuts and seeds, cheese or nuts during the day. Avoid too much coffee or tea as too much caffeine can put stress on your body and even disrupt your sleep patterns.
- Avoid strenuous exercise during the fasting season as it can cause hypoglycemia.
- Avoid sugary foods and fried foods. Choose healthy options like nuts, roasted or baked snacks to satisfy cravings.
- Choose fiber-rich and high-protein foods that are slowly digested in the system and give you a feeling of satiety for a long time.
- If your blood sugar drops below 70 mg / dL, break your fast immediately or treat yourself immediately with glucose tablets.
How do you keep your energy levels up during the festive period during fasting?
There are some trial and testing methods that can be used effectively to control their energy levels during the fasting period. Also read – Explained: What happens to your body when you consume too much protein?
- Small and frequent meals help prevent high blood sugar and therefore make you feel more energetic throughout the day.
- Meditation, light yoga or walking are the best forms of physical activity to keep your body active and increase energy levels.
- Avoid working hard during the day and staying out in the heat all day.
- When the body is deprived of the food it needs, getting enough sleep becomes even more important. Half an hour of power sleep adequately addresses this, giving us freshness and rejuvenation.
How do you satisfy your cravings and not take too much in the minutes when you break the fast?
Most people break their fast with heavy meals and this can actually leave you putting more calories into your system. One of the best ways to control this urge is to make sure you have frequent small meals with healthy foods.
When we fast we want the body to taste something different than it needs nutrition. Thus, a sudden burst of taste can prevent us from overeating in our diet and at the same time satisfy our cravings. This can be easily accomplished by mixing lemon, orange, berry or cucumber in water. This adequately addresses our hunger and can help keep us refreshed at the same time.
What can go wrong if you are careless during Navratri?
- Not getting enough fluids can lead to dehydration. It is therefore important to be properly hydrated during the fasting period.
- In addition, it is important to be specific about our food in terms of quantity and quality. Fasting can cause hypoglycemia and you should always have an emergency glucose tablet / sugary snack in hand.
- Listen to your body; Beware of signs such as dark urine, headache, nausea and vomiting. This can be caused by extreme dehydration. Stop fasting if you notice these signs.
Fasting calls for a more disciplined approach to your diet in relation to both food and other habits as well as the activities we engage in. So experience the vibrant vibes of Navratri and stay healthy and balanced.
(Inputs via Sujata Sharma, Senior Diabetes Care Coach, Beto App)
