Discover easy Navratri vrat recipes for fasting. Perfect for office tiffins, these healthy recipes include breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks. Stay energized this Navratri!
Navratri, the nine-day festival devoted to Goddess Durga, is a time for both spiritual reflection and physical rejuvenation. Fasting during Navratri not only holds religious significance but also offers the body a much-needed detox. For those who are managing work and fasting, preparing nutritious and quick Navratri vrat recipes for office tiffins can be challenging. Thankfully, there are many healthy fasting foods that are easy to make, nutritious, and ideal for packing in a tiffin. This blog provides a variety of tiffin-friendly Navratri recipes that will keep you energized and nourished throughout the day.
Why Fasting During Navratri is Beneficial (The Science Behind It)
Fasting during Navratri serves dual purposes: spiritual cleansing and physical detoxification. From a spiritual perspective, fasting helps purify the soul and brings devotees closer to Maa Durga. Scientifically, fasting gives the digestive system a break, allowing the body to detoxify, especially during the seasonal transition between monsoon and winter. This period of fasting supports the immune system, helps flush out toxins, and resets the body. The foods consumed during Navratri, such as buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta), water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta), and millets, are rich in nutrients and easy to digest.
Top Navratri Fasting Ingredients
In North India, Navratri fasting revolves around specific ingredients that are both nutritious and permissible during the fast:
- Flours & Grains: Buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta), water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta), amaranth flour (rajgira atta), barnyard millet (samake chawal).
- Starches: Sabudana (sago).
- Nuts & Seeds: Peanuts, almonds, other dry fruits.
- Spices: Rock salt (sendhanamak), black pepper, cumin, green chilies, ginger.
These ingredients form the basis of many Navratri vrat recipes, providing both nutrition and energy.
Navratri Vrat Recipes: Tiffin Ideas for Office
To maintain energy levels while working during Navratri, here are easy-to-pack fasting recipes that are perfect for tiffin meals.
Breakfast Ideas for Navratri Vrat
- Sabudana Khichdi
A light, fulfilling breakfast made with sabudana (tapioca pearls), peanuts, and mild spices. Sabudana is rich in carbohydrates, providing sustained energy for the day.
Ingredients: Sabudana, peanuts, boiled potatoes, sendhanamak, cumin, green chilies.
Quick Tip: Soak sabudana overnight for a fluffy, non-sticky texture.
Office Tip: Pair with yogurt for a cooling side. - Kuttu Ka Cheela (Buckwheat Pancake)
This savorycheela made from kuttu ka atta is a perfect choice for a nutritious and filling breakfast.
Ingredients: Buckwheat flour, water, green chilies, grated ginger, sendhanamak.
Serving Tip: Pair with coconut chutney for added flavor. - Sama Rice Idli
These light, fluffy idlis made from barnyard millet (samake chawal) are easy to digest and ideal for packing in a tiffin.
Ingredients: Sama rice, yogurt, sendhanamak, green chilies.
Quick Tip: Steam fresh in the morning and pair with coconut chutney.
Lunch Ideas for Navratri Vrat
- Samak Rice Pulao
A healthy alternative to regular rice, barnyard millet (samak rice) makes for a wholesome and easy-to-digest pulao, perfect for lunch.
Ingredients: Samak rice, potatoes, peanuts, cumin, green chilies, sendhanamak.
Serving Tip: Pair with cucumber raita or vrat ki kadhi for a refreshing meal. - Kuttu Ki Poori with Aloo Sabzi
A classic Navratri dish, kuttu ki poori (buckwheat flour poori) is best enjoyed with spicy potato curry.
Ingredients: Buckwheat flour, mashed potatoes, cumin, green chilies, sendhanamak.
Quick Tip: Fry pooris in ghee for a richer flavor. Pack with aloo tamatar sabzi for a complete meal. - Rajgira Roti with Kaddu Ki Sabzi
Rajgira roti made from amaranth flour is a gluten-free option, ideal for fasting. Paired with a simple pumpkin (kaddu) sabzi, it makes for a light and nutritious lunch.
Ingredients: Rajgira flour, pumpkin, cumin, green chilies, sendhanamak.
Office Tip: Add a side of yogurt for a refreshing complement.
Snack Ideas for Navratri Vrat
- Sabudana Vada
These crispy vadas made with sabudana, mashed potatoes, and peanuts are perfect for an afternoon snack.
Ingredients: Sabudana, potatoes, peanuts, green chilies, sendhanamak.
Serving Tip: Enjoy with vrat-friendly coriander chutney. - Sweet Potato Chaat
A sweet and tangy snack made with boiled sweet potatoes, this chaat is quick to prepare and easy to pack.
Ingredients: Boiled sweet potatoes, lemon juice, black pepper, sendhanamak.
Quick Tip: Add pomegranate seeds for an extra burst of flavor.
Dinner Ideas for Navratri Vrat
- Vrat Ke Chawal Ka Dhokla
This healthy dhokla made from barnyard millet is light and nutritious, perfect for dinner.
Ingredients: Samak rice, yogurt, cumin, sendhanamak.
Serving Tip: Serve with green chutney for a flavorful kick. - Arbi Curry
This delicious taro root (arbi) curry is comforting and pairs well with kuttu ki poori or rajgira roti.
Ingredients: Arbi, tomatoes, cumin, green chilies, sendhanamak.
Quick Tip: Avoid overcooking the arbi to maintain its texture.
Drinks for Navratri Vrat
- Banana Walnut Lassi
A nourishing and hydrating drink, this lassi made with bananas, walnuts, and yogurt will keep you energized throughout your fast.
Ingredients: Yogurt, bananas, walnuts, honey, cardamom.
Quick Tip: Blend and serve chilled for a refreshing treat. - Coconut Water Smoothie
Stay hydrated with a simple coconut water smoothie, adding fruits like bananas and mangoes for extra nutrition.
Ingredients: Coconut water, bananas, mangoes, cardamom.
Serving Tip: Blend with ice for a cooling drink.
Tiffin Ideas for Office
If you’re looking for healthy tiffin ideas to take to the office during Navratri, here are some quick and easy options:
- Sabudana Khichdi: Rich in carbohydrates, this dish provides sustained energy and is easy to reheat.
- Rajgira Roti with Aloo Sabzi: A nutritious combination of rajgira roti and spicy aloo sabzi.
- Kuttu Ka Dosa: A buckwheat-based dosa that pairs well with coconut chutney for a complete lunch.
- Samak Rice Pulao: A light yet satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and pack for tiffins.
FAQs
- Can I use regular salt during Navratri fasting?
No, only sendhanamak (rock salt) is permissible during Navratri fasting. - What grains are allowed during Navratri fasting?
Grains such as buckwheat (kuttu), amaranth (rajgira), and barnyard millet (samak) are allowed during fasting. - Are dairy products allowed during Navratri fasts?
Yes, dairy products like milk, yogurt, and paneer are allowed. - Can I have fruits during Navratri fast?
Yes, fruits are encouraged during Navratri fasting as they provide natural energy and hydration. - What oil should be used for cooking during Navratri?
Ghee and peanut oil are commonly used for cooking vrat-friendly dishes.
By incorporating these Navratri vrat recipes into your tiffin, you can maintain a healthy diet while observing the fast. These quick fasting recipes are easy to prepare and perfect for keeping your energy levels high throughout the day