Chhath Pooja: 5 Tips to Observe Fast in a Hale and Hearty Way!

Chhath Pooja is the Hindu festival celebrated 6 days after the Diwali on the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month. The Sun God (the god of energy and life-force) is worshipped during the Chhath Pooja to promote health, prosperity, and progress. This year Chhath Pooja is on 10th November. During this festival, women keep a ‘Nirjala’ fast which means no food and water for 36-hour and worship Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya.

According to experts of medical sciences, fasting has many health benefits too like it rectifies various gastric ailments and constipation, offering arghya has a positive impact on other metabolic functions. The Chhath rituals help in the detoxification of the body and help in synthesising vitamin D by standing before the sun. You can observe this fast in the healthy way by following the below-mentioned tips properly:

• Consume healthy carbs prior to the fast: Load up on complex carbohydrates in a regular pattern two days before the fast, food items like sweet potato, corn, quinoa, brown rice, and oats. Carbohydrates provide a lot of energy and fibre that will help you to stay full for long periods of fasting.
• Choose a meal that is easy to digest before the fast: Having a simple & light last meal would help keep your gut low on acidic flow. Avoid overeating sugar and sweets which make you thirsty and lower your blood sugar after a few hours (which will make you crave more sweets).
• Break your fast by drinking & eating healthily: You should break your fast with no heavy meals which are difficult to digest rather try to have some fluids first like lemonade, buttermilk to hydrate back and get back on energy levels. Then, indulge in some light meals and avoid fried foods too.
• Eat slowly post long fasting hours: When you eat your meal after almost 36 hours of nirjala fast, it is better to slowly introduce food to the stomach which allows the body to re-establish the enzyme production. Also, the protective mucus lining of your stomach gets temporarily diminished, making the stomach walls more vulnerable to irritation. So, eat slowly and enjoy every bite of your meal to help your gut get back to normal with ease.
• Do not keep a fast if you are not feeling well: Women suffering from any medical conditions like diabetes or one who is pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid keeping a fast because it can cause dehydration and even worsen the health of an individual by depriving the body of many essential nutrients. After all, your health should be the number one priority!

Over to you:
This Chhath Pooja, follow the above-mentioned tips to keep your fast in the healthiest way. Consume healthy carbs and light meals before the fast day, keep yourself well hydrated, and break your fast by eating light meals. Happy Fasting!