Health concerns related to Navratri fasting

Navratri, a nine night festival is celebrated in different ways across the country. Most of the believers fast for spiritual and physical cleansing and detoxification of the body. These fasts are seen to have several benefits but there are some related health risks as well.

People who are more prone to health risks due to Navratri include the following:

• Diabetics and the patients of hypertension
• People who have recently undergone any surgery
• Patients of bulimia or anorexia
• If you are anaemic
• Individuals with chronic health problems related to any of the vital organs such as heart, kidneys, lungs or liver
• A person with hyperglycaemia or any other blood sugar problems
• Pregnant women
• Lactating women

The typical foods of Navratri are of high calorie. For instance, fried potatoes, sabudana papad, kheer, sabudana ki tikki, pakodas are all fattening. Since the duration of Navratri is quite long there can be health risks due to navratri food. They may result in increasing weight and can even add to complications in people with problems such as diabetes and hypertension.

• Diabetics and the people with high blood sugar level must be very careful during Navratri. They must avoid both the overindulgence in festive food as well as fasting. If they wish to go for fasting then it is not advisable to take long breaks in fact they must take some food after short durations i.e. every few hours. By doing so the blood glucose levels doesn’t go up. The foods that can be consumed by diabetics during Navratri include kuttu (buckwheat), bottle gourd (lauki), pumkin (kaddu) and vegetables. Papaya, apples, citrus fruit, skimmed milk, berries, pears and almonds can be taken at regular intervals.
  
• The people with hypertension must keep check on the intake of salt in festive food.
  
• If you are more prone to acidity and heartburn problems you must avoid staying empty stomach for long hours. Take mini meals at regular interval. Banana, curd and cold skimmed milk can be taken as an effective antidote for countering acidity.

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Even though Navratri is time for indulging in variety of foods but it is advised to keep a health check. The person on fast on navratri must take healthy food that is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and proteins.

Pregnant and breastfeeding ladies should refrain from observing fasts during navratri as they require constant supply of essential nutrition, vitamins, proteins, folic acid, and minerals. They need to keep track of their nutrition intake for the wellbeing of themselves and their babies. Fasting in pregnancy carries certain risks for the unborn baby such as abnormal breathing movements, low birth weight, and reduced gestational period. Fasting during pregnancy could increase a woman's risk for premature birth. Mothers who experience extreme nausea and vomiting during first trimester should not consider fasting. Talk to your doctor and get an overview of your health condition, if you are feeling obliged to fast. Let your health care provider give you a clean chit. Your obstetrician or gynaecologist is the person who knows your medical history and health conditions very well.