Feeling exhausted due to fasting? Eat this!

As the festival of Navaratri is ongoing, many people are observing fast or ‘vrat’ for all nine days. For one or another reason, fasting is practised by millions of people not only in India but across the world. Fasting is a practice that has been associated with a wide array of potential health benefits, including weight loss, as well as improved blood sugar level, heart health, brain function and cancer prevention. Thus, fasting helps the body to rejuvenate and get rid of its toxins.

Though fasting has many benefits for the body, it is a very difficult task as well. Moreover, it becomes even more challenging in case of people who fast for all the nine days of Navaratri. Therefore, it must be ensured that even during fasting, the body must get enough nutrition for proper functioning. If you don't get enough, you can have symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, constipation, dehydration, and not being able to tolerate cold temperatures. Here is a look at some foods that beat fatigue during fasting.

If you are feeling tired and dizzy, Banana-Walnut Lassi will surely help you. The drink will give you instant energy and freshness. Further, the walnuts in the lassi add to total nutritional value. To make it, add 2 cup yoghurt, 1 banana, 2 tsp. honey, and 5 walnuts in a food processor. Blend till smooth and creamy.

A refreshing drink—Lemon Sherbet, can be an ideal beverage while fasting. It can be an excellent way to replenish your body salts, pack you with essential vitamins and minerals and prevent dehydration. To make lemon sherbet, combine 4 tbsp. lemon juice, 8 tbsp. powdered sugar, and 1 tsp. rock salt and mix well. Add 6 cups of water, mix and serve.

This Fruit Smoothie will give you a blast of energy and freshness along with making you feel full for a longer duration of time. Just combine 1 chopped kiwi, 2-3 slices of papaya, 2 slices of melon, few grapes, 1 sliced plum, a glass of milk, and 1 tsp. honey. Add all ingredients to the blender and blend well.

It is a quick and easy laddu which is a good source of protein, carbohydrate, and energy. Heat 2 tsp. ghee in a pan, roast 2.5 cups makhana, and set aside. In the same pan add peanuts and roast till crisp. Powder both coarsely and set aside. Now heat jaggery with little water and let it melt completely. When it reaches a thin single thread consistency, add makhana and peanut powder. Mix well, cook for 2 minutes, and then switch off. When it’s warm enough to handle, add 1 tsp. ghee, mix well then shape them as laddu.

One of the most refreshing beverages, Mixed Fruit Juice is full of taste and nutrients. Just put 1 chopped apple, 4 oranges, 2 cup grapes and 1 chopped kiwi in a mixer and blend for 2 minutes. Add sugar if required and blend for one more minute.

Place 100 gm. jaggery into a small pan and heat gently, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Add 50 gm. chopped walnuts and stir to coat. Spread the mixture onto a sheet of baking paper or an oiled plate. Allow it to cool completely, then break into pieces. When cold, store in an airtight container until needed.

A simple and easy to make recipe, this requires only 2 ingredients i.e. banana and honey. It will give you energy and keep hunger pangs at bay. To make it, cut 2 bananas into round pieces and drizzle 2 tbsp. of honey on them.