The fasting culture on Mahashivratri is different from a normal fast. To commemorate this day, people follow a different tradition known as the Siddha Yoga Path. During the entire fasting day, instead of refraining from eating food, devotees depend on a satvik and an austere diet which is considered pure, healthy and easy to digest to cleanse the body.

What you should know:

4 easy fasting recipes for Mahashivratri

Do’s and don’ts of fasting

On Mahashivratri, people mainly consume light food, such as fruits, dry fruits, yoghurt, and peanuts, allowing your body to detox. For those who opt to eat nothing, they can keep on sipping water, jaggery water or fresh juices at regular intervals to stay energetic throughout the day.

4 easy fasting recipes for Mahashivratri

Take a look at some healthy and delicious recipes you can make on your Mahashivratri vrat.

1. Phool Makhana

You can consume roasted lotus seeds for snacks. Roasted makhanas are crunchy and extremely healthy for your body. They are rich in calcium, protein, and minerals like zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Lotus seeds contain flavonoids which are antioxidants. These seeds are low in saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol. Therefore, this snack can be consumed by both children and people with diabetes.

2. Sweet Potato Khichdi

Replace your regular khichdi with sweet potato khichdi. Sweet potato is a highly nutritious vegetable. It is rich in beta-carotene, which when converted into vitamin A, boosts immunity and improves eyesight. Sweet potatoes have vitamin D that promotes the health of bones, thyroid glands, heart, nerves, and teeth. This vegetable is a powerhouse of iron that prevents anaemia, magnesium, potassium, manganese which helps maintain a normal blood sugar level, and has antioxidants that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

3. Fruit Chaat

During a fast, you can add a fruit chaat to your breakfast as it is light and refreshing. Include seasonal fruits like pineapple, papaya, guava, grapes, strawberries, pomegranates and bananas. You can also add boiled sweet potatoes to this chaat. Sprinkle cumin powder, chaat masala powder, edible rock salt and season it with a few droplets of lemon juice. Mix all the fruits and spices and garnish them with a few mint sprigs. Devour this mixture of spiced, sweet, savoury and tangy fruit chaat.

4. Thandai

To celebrate this spiritual festival, people also drink thandai, a cool summer drink made of saffron flavoured milk and chopped dry fruits. You can also add black pepper and poppy seeds which add to the punch and flavour of thandai.

Do’s and don’ts of fasting

Fasting offers various health benefits by helping detoxify your body. However, there are a few things you have to follow and a few others you shouldn’t when it comes to fasting. Let’s look at a few of them:

Fasting – The Do’s

Drink enough water: Have at least 3 litres of water if you’re fasting to ensure you aren’t dehydrated and to keep your metabolism working well.
Eat a nutritional meal beforehand: consume a balanced diet that includes nutrients like proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to keep you energised.
Break the fast with light food: When you’re done with the fast, make sure to eat light food after so you don’t feel a sugar rush or crash coming.
Sleep well: Poor sleep and fasting don’t go hand in hand. So, if you’re planning to fast, ensure you get a good night’s sleep the previous night.

Fasting – The Don’ts

Don’t do heavy work: Refrain from lifting heavy weights, doing workouts, or any form of physical exertion.
Don’t have sugary drinks: Sugary drinks feel good when you have them, but they can make you hungry and also cause your insulin to spike.
Don’t ignore your body: If you feel dizzy or have headaches, break your fast immediately.
Don’t overeat: Avoid the urge for junk food immediately after breaking your fast, as it can have a negative effect on what you’re trying to achieve.

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