Contributed by Healthians Team
Introduction
Navratri is one of the greatest and most significant festivals celebrated in India, every year. This year, the festival of Navratri begins from September 26 to October 4. The devotees maintain a fast to honour Goddess Durga and worship her in her nine avatars to celebrate the event. We all celebrate these nine days with great enthusiasm.
During the Navratri celebrations, people frequently practise protracted fasts. You may detoxify your body by fasting for nine days. However, it can also result in issues like constipation and acidity since it changes your regular eating pattern.
Our bodies are detoxified when we fast, but in addition, fasting also has certain disadvantages, such as acidity and constipation. Taking all that in mind here are some tips that you should follow this Navratri.
6 Tips to avoid constipation
Eat at regular intervals
Eating large quantities of food frequently can result in constipation. Give your stomach adequate time to digest so that it functions properly. Chronic hunger can result in acidity problems. So, when you’re hungry, remember to eat small amounts of fruits and fasting meals like sabudana, makhana, dry fruits, fruits and more.j
Stay hydrated
Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the fast will reduce stomach discomfort. Additionally, it will also prevent constipation. Three to four litres of water per day should be the standard daily intake. This promotes healthy digestion, avoids constipation, and lessens bloating.
You can also sip on liquids like buttermilk, coconut water, and lemonade throughout the day. Your stomach will cool off as a result, and constipation won’t be an issue. Additionally, it raises your body’s electrolyte levels, which can also help you in maintaining constant energy.
Healthy diet
Like the majority of bodily functions, a good immune system
depends on a balanced diet. This includes consuming a range of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. If you are fasting then try to include fibre-rich foods like makhana, sabudana, fruits and more. A balanced diet can help make sure you’re getting enough of the micronutrients that are important for keeping smooth bowel movements during fasting.
Reduce the amount of tea and coffee
According to the Hindu culture, one should follow all the dos and don’ts during fasting. Some people take only fruits while some drink tea or coffee to rid themselves of lethargy. Caffeine, present in both tea and coffee, can give you stomach problems. Constipation arises more often if you consume more caffeine. However, it is always advised to avoid tea and coffee during fasting time. You can replace tea and coffee with a glass of juice or lassi.
Workout daily
Physical activity like walking, running, and yoga can help you with bowel movements which increase the blood flow to the stomach and give relief from constipation.
Moreover, going for a walk or performing yoga is important not only for muscle building or weight loss but also equally required for stress relief; it is also an important part of staying healthy and supporting a healthy immune system.
Final thoughts
Navratri is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. As you cannot take a chance to miss any of the fun and frolic of the nine-day festivities because of fasting. By following a few simple fasting tips, you can stay active during the entire festival.
When fasting, the major health issue that arises is constipation. It is usually advised to keep making mindful choices regarding the type of food options during fasting such as avoiding fried foods and foods with too much sugar and consuming more fibre-rich foods and keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day.
For better bowel movements and to avoid constipation in Navratri, one should consume one prepared meal in a day to detox your body fully and the remaining should inculcate enough fruits, dairy products, and liquids including water, soups, fruit shakes, buttermilk, and coconut water. Also, avoid overeating as it can cause constipation and acidity and can spoil the whole festive vibe.
Furthermore, you should also undergo preventive health checkups. These health checks give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep a host of ailments at bay.
