Akanksha Puri, Gracy Singh, Kunal Jaisingh, Manish Verma and other TV celebs give healthier twists to their Navratri fasting food

Fasting for Navratri in the summer can be quite a daunting task. Moreover, with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is more focus on eating and staying healthy in these times. We spoke to some TV artistes who are fasting for Navratri and asked them about their favourite fasting food and how they are giving it a healthy twist.

Former Vighnaharta Ganesha actress loves Navratri and is currently in her hometown enjoying this time. “My favourite Navratri food since childhood is sabudana khichdi and kuttu ka cheela. As I’m more health conscious now, I’ve given healthier twists to these dishes. I include pomegranate seeds, grapes, flaxseeds and chia in my sabudana khichdi. For kuttu ka cheela, I stuff it with paneer for more protein,” she says.

"I love having most of the vrat delicacies that are made at home. My mother makes great Navratri friendly delicacies so there is no doubt about quality control. When I fast, I like to have sabudana ka khichdi, lot of fruits and milk. In fact, I even love having roasted potatoes. I believe that our body should be used to having everything, rather than being on a perpetual diet,” says the Kyun Rishton Meiin Katti Batti actress

Kunal, who recently joined the show Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye, is quite conscious about his fitness, even while fasting. He shares, “Fasting for Navratri is certainly a pious time, but I believe in customising my vrat food according to my fitness requirement. I love to have a lot of fresh fruit juices, without sugar, and roasted makhana with dry fruits. This keeps my energy level high and is completely vrat-friendly.”

Teri Meri Ikk Jindri actor Manish Verma believes in consuming healthy food prepared using little or no oil. “The idea is not just to take care of the calories, but also to seek positive, mental benefits that healthy food can bring to your body during this time. I love having samak ki tikki as it is an ideal mix of proteins and carbs. Plus, I prepare it in an air fryer. I also have a lot of fresh fruit juices,” he says.

Gracy, who is seen in the show Santoshi Maa Sunayein Vrat Kathayein, is fond of having satvik dishes while fasting. “Fasting food is usually made of healthy ingredients, so I just have to choose the ingredients that suit me and are generally less time consuming. I love having raw banana cutlets and aloo ki khichdi. At the same time, I eat a lot of dry-fruits and gur-chana while I’m at shoots while fasting,” she shares.

The actress, who is currently seen in the show Santoshi Maa Sunayein Vrat Kathayein, shares, “These nine days call for a celebration of Goddess Durga and preparing fasting food. My favourite healthy options are steamed dhoklas, made from samak chawal, and banana walnut lassi to beat the heat. Not only are the ingredients vrat-friendly but also give a lot of energy.”

The actress, who is currently seen in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, loves having sabudana khichdi prepared in less oil. “I used to fast for eight days when I was healthier. Now I have reduced it to two fasts during Navratri, as my health does not allow me to fast any longer. I think sabudana khichdi is the ultimate fasting food. When made with less oil, it is a good source for energy and is quite wholesome when paired with curd,” she shares.

Kuldeep, who was seen in Yeshu, believes in consuming all fasting-friendly salads during Navratri. “Salads are considered satvik, so I customise my salads according to what is allowed while fasting. I love adding shakarkandi to my green salad. Instead of normal salt, I add rock salt and paneer crumbs for protein,” says the actor.