Navratri foods and the health benefits they offer

Navratri will be observed from September 26 to October 5. During these nine days, Hindus will abstain from consuming regular food and will engage in various religious activities. The regular flour and salt will not be used during navratri and alternative food items will be in use during these nine days.

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Buckwheat flour or kuttu atta is a high fibre flour which is used during the navratris. The fact that these flours are dense in fibers is a clear indication that they are used in fasting. The fibers keep the person full for a longer duration and keeps the hunger pangs at bay. These can be made into delicious pooris and parathas and taste no different than regular atta.

Amaranth flour or rajgira atta is yet another delicious and healthy alternative to regular wheat flour.

This is gluten free, protein rich and tastes exactly the same as normal flour.

Sabudana is a favorite among those who keep fast. It keeps the individual full for a longer time. This high starch food is also a powerhouse of several nutrients.

It is also known to aid digestion.

Everyone loves slightly roasted makhanas in ghee. Loaded with antioxidants, Makhana is not just a festive favorite, it's also a delicious munching treat. One should try to replace all processed chips with a bowl full of makhanas.

It is believed that the healthy ingredients present in makhana help in lowering cholesterol, promoting heart health and preventing aging.

During the ongoing sharad navratri try to have as much of the seasonal fruits and vegetables as possible. The common fruits and vegetables which are available in plenty during this season are pumpkin, sweet potato, colocasia, yam, raw plantain, raw papaya, bottle gourd, bananas, carrot, and apples.

There are several advantages of eating food items which are seasonally grown. These food items do not require external boost in the form of fertilizer and pesticides to grow as they already have favorable growing conditions.

No puja food is complete without a mention of singhara atta. An excellent source of carbohydrate and energy boosting nutrients, singhara atta is also a rich source of antioxidants which makes it a suitable food item for those who are fasting.

Another added advantage is that singhara atta is easy to prepare into several recipes and has a good taste.

During the fasting period, people are asked to have dry fruits. Handful of soaked almonds, dates, cashew nuts, walnuts are rich enough to keep a person full for a longer time and they also provide sufficient nutrients to the body.

Otherwise, doctors recommend having dry fruits daily. These nutrient dense foods are rich in potassium, iron, folate, calcium and other nutrients.