Karwa Chauth 2018: Wondering How To Keep Going Through Karwa Chauth Fast? Diet Tips From Nutritionist

Karwa Chauth 2018 falls on October 27. Karwa Chauth is undoubtedly one of the most important festivals for Indian married women. On the day of Karwa Chauth, married women fast from sunrise till they see moon in evening. Before sunrise, married women feast on their sargi. Sargi is given by mother-in-law and is essentially a thali which consists of sweets, dry fruits, coconut, sevvaiyan, mithai, and even clothes or jewellery as gifts. On the day of Karwa Chauth, women eat the foods in their sargi for the entire day and observe nirjala fast for the rest of the day. They break their fast after seeing the moon and the face of their husbands through a net. Women keep Karwa Chauth fast to bless their husbands with a long and prosperous life.

Traditionally, women are supposed to refrain from drinking water and eating anything after the sargi, until they see moon in the night. This can be difficult for some women and may cause severe health issues like fatigue and headache.

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We spoke to nutritionist Pooja Malhotra about what are the things she follows during her Karwa Chauth fast. Here's what she has to say, "I try being careful about what I eat during sargi. I make sure I avoid putting everything into that one meal just because I cannot eat for the rest of the day. Sargi includes prasad in the form of fruits, mithai, sevai, etc. Along with little portions of these foods, I eat stuffed paranthas and dahi according to my appetite."

Karwa Chauth 2018: Avoid having tea or coffee with sargi to avoid acidity
Photo Credit: iStock

How to keep going through Karwa Chauth nirjala fast?

On Karwa Chauth, it is important that you eat but don't fill yourself up to the extent that it becomes uncomfortable for you for the first few hours of the day. Eating according to your appetite is important to keep you going through Karwa Chauth fast.

"To avoid acidity, do not take tea or coffee during your sargi. Tea or coffee can also make you dehydrated and make it even more difficult for you to go through the day," says Pooja.

According to Delhi-based nutritionist, the best food to have during sargi is stuffed paranthas with curd. Having fried foods, a sandwich etc. is not going to be that helpful.

This Karwa Chauth 2018, focus on keeping yourself comfortable to go through the day
Photo Credit: iStock

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Also, if you experience health issues towards the evening, you can have something after the customary puja. "I take a glass of milk after the puja in the evening. It hydrates me, curbs acidity and also helps me sail through till the time moon is visible," she says.

How to break Karwa Chauth fast?

As is customary, women break their fast with a glass of water. What should be avoided is gorging on food hurriedly as you would easily cross your threshold and become uncomfortable. According to Pooja, you should eat food slowly and chew it properly. This will help you eat only as much as your appetite allows.

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On this special day, the idea is to keep yourself comfortable and go through the day at ease. If your tradition allows, a glass of milk, some fruits or a cup of tea (according to what your mother-in-law suggests) could be consumed in evening. Happy Karwa Chauth 2018 everyone!

(Pooja Malhotra is a nutritionist based in Delhi)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.