Fasting is abstinence or moderation of food and drinks intake. It has been in existence since the 5th century BCE. It is said to have started due to its therapeutical properties. Fasting is said to be good for boosting our immunity and has been practised regularly by many people. It is said that fasting lets our body take a break from digesting food and focus that energy on improving our immunity.
Fasting is a part of many festivals, and some people follow it quite religiously. In today’s world, it is also used in terms of dieting and is also said to rid one’s body of toxins and excess body fat. While fasting has a lot of benefits, it is also advised that you consult your doctor before going to extremes or fasting to change your lifestyle or in case you face any health issues.
There are various types of fasting: Intermittent Fasting (which is currently trending), Alternate Day Fasting, Calorie Restriction, Nutrient Restriction, Seasonal Eating, Time-Restricted Eating, The Daniel Fast, The Warrior Diet, The Fast Diet (also known as the 5:2 Diet) and so on. Some fasts are hardcore, while some offer you respite with either more minor breaks or little consumption of food and drinks.
This article will look at fasting from a beginner’s perspective. So, in case you are new to fasting, you may use this article as a guide for a temporary fast but always go for a consultation with your dietician or nutritionist if you are planning on doing this in the long run.
Since fasting aids in building our immunity, getting a healthy diet in place is very important during this time, with preferably nutrient-heavy foods that are light on the stomach but also very filling. Let us look at some foods that can be consumed during this period, which will further enhance our body’s capability to improve our immune system.
Fruits: Fruits are a few of the readily available eatables during fasting. You can eat fresh fruits such as bananas, apples, pears, etc., directly or consume fruits like watermelon, orange, mosambi, etc., in the form of freshly made juices or whip up a tasty fruit salad. Please ensure you do not add sugar to this, as it might mess up the whole fasting process.
Vegetables: Vegetables such as leafy greens, carrots, cucumber, potatoes, pumpkin, arbi or colocasia, yams, and sweet potato, can be eaten during fasting. You can toss up healthy salads, make yummy soups or smoothies or just cook the vegetables with a bit of salt and gobble them up. They will fill you with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and the other necessary nutrients your body needs.
Snacks – Makhana (Foxnuts) and Dry Fruit Bites: Makhana is a high source of protein and fibre and helps keep you full for a longer time. You can make makhana kheer using water, milk, or jaggery and top it off with seedless black raisins. You can also make makhana ladoos which can be nibbled on for that energy boost. You can also make a makhana chivda using little ghee, chilli powder, salt, and curry leaves. This can be eaten as an evening snack, light and filling until dinner. Dry fruits, like black raisins, are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and a handful of them are perfect to start your day with. You can also make bite-sized rolls by adding seeds and date puree and coating them with Rajgira. Their Vitamin E will help keep bacteria at bay, thus improving your immunity.
Mini Meals – Puri, Thalipeeth, Bhagar, Khichdi, Dosa: Yes, all these foods can be eaten while fasting, but when made with these fantastic alternatives. The Singhara/Water Chestnut Atta or the Rajgira/Amaranth Atta can be used to make puris, rotis, parathas, or Thalipeeth. Samak Rice can be used to make Bhagar which is an excellent substitute for regular rice. Dosas can be made using the Kuttu/Buckwheat Atta and can be served with coconut chutney or potato sabzi. You can eat Sabudana Khichdi for breakfast. These power-packed foods will keep your stomach full for longer and give you the energy to function throughout the day.
All these superfoods will help you maintain a balanced diet while fasting yet have a low-calorie count and help in enhancing your immunity. I have tried fasting several times, which made me feel healthier and helped with tummy issues. Still, I am guilty of feeling peckish at times. I found myself munching on some delicious Jaggery Coconut Chikki by Aazol. You can check out their website, www.aazol.in, for some delectable homemade products.
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