People who fast during Navratri are at an increased risk of food poisoning and diarrhea
People who fast during Navratri are at an increased risk of food poisoning and diarrhea
Eating leftover and oily food can make you sick…Keep a check on your liquid intake to celebrate the festival of Navratri with all the enthusiasm
Starving and not eating for too long can make you feel weak. It is advised that you consume mini meals after an interval of every 2-3 hours
New Delhi, 02nd October 2016: Have you ever wondered what is the reason behind the 9-day fast during Navratri? In addition to the religious reasons, fasts also help in the purification of the body by relaxing its metabolism. The consumption of low calorie and less spicy food items helps relieve the body of the extra work it has to do on a regular basis. However, this purpose gets defeated when people indulge in starchy and oily foods like potatoes and kuttu pakoras.
Speaking on the issue, Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Elect IMA & President Heart Care Foundation of India. said, “During Navratris, people have fewer food options, which are mostly restricted to kuttu and singhara flours. We advise that the people who are on a fast consume ample amounts of liquids to maintain energy levels and prevent dehydration. It is also strongly recommended that the kuttu or singhara flour left over from the previous year should not be used as they may be contaminated and result in diarrhea. Eat lot of fruits. Eating too much of very oily and high sugar food items like burfi, ladoo and potato fries may also cause diarrhea.”
Keep the following in mind in order to avoid the chances of food poisoning and diarrhea and help in maintaining a healthy fasting routine:
Use singhara flour, it is not a cereal but a fruit as it is made from dried ground water chestnuts and hence a good substitute for a Navratri fast, where cereals cannot be consumed. It is an excellent source of energy and provides 115 kcal per 100g.
Singhara plants bear ornately shaped fruits containing a single very large starchy seed. These seeds or nuts are boiled and eaten as a snack and can be eaten raw as well
The Singhara is made from dried ground water chestnuts. These nuts are boiled peeled and dried before grinding. In such a case, there are no chances of impurities.
Chestnuts are relatively low in net carbs (total carbohydrate minus dietary fiber). It is included in many low carb diets. They do not contain the fat that regular nuts have. They also contain less carbohydrate than white flour.
Avoid eating deep fried chestnut flour pooris or parathas.
Buy only branded best quality flour as leftover flour from last year can lead to food poisoning.
One should not use high trans fat vegetable oils to cook chestnut flour bread.
You should consume as many fruits as you can, fruits are the best alternatives for the individuals who are on a fast.
To keep your body hydrated, you should drink as much liquid as you can like in the form of water and juices.
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About Heart Care Foundation of India
Initiated in 1986, the Heart Care Foundation of India is a leading National NGO working in the field of creating mass health awareness among people from all walks of life and providing solutions for India’s everyday healthcare needs. The NGO uses consumer-based entertainment modules to impart health education and increase awareness amongst people. A leading example of this is the Perfect Health Mela; an annual event started in 1993 that is attended by over 2-3 lakh people each year. The Mela showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars and check-ups, entertainment programs, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. In addition to this, the NGO conducts programs and camps to train people on the technique of hands only CPR through its CPR 10 mantra for revival after a sudden cardiac arrest. They currently hold three Limca book of world records for the maximum number of people trained in hands-only CPR in one go. Keeping article 21 of the Indian Constitution in mind, which guarantees a person Right to Life, Heart Care Foundation of India has also recently initiated a project called the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund to ensure that no one dies of a heart disease just because they cannot afford treatment.
For more information, please contact
Heart Care Foundation of India
Sanjeev Khanna-9871079105
Md Adib Ahmed- 9873716235
Email- media.hcfi@gmail.com
