What to Eat During Fasting: A Complete Guide to Fasting Foods
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Introduction
Fasting is a time-honoured tradition observed across cultures and religions in India — from Navratri and Ekadashi to Mahashivratri and Janmashtami. But fasting doesn't mean going hungry. With the right foods and the purest spices, you can stay energised, nourished, and satisfied throughout your fast.
Why Fasting Foods Matter
During a fast, your body needs easily digestible, nutrient-dense foods that provide sustained energy without taxing the digestive system. The right spices can also help reduce bloating, improve digestion, and keep you feeling light. At Phoran, we source and grind our spices fresh in small batches — so every fasting meal is flavourful and pure.
Top Foods to Eat During Fasting
1. Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls)
A fasting staple, sabudana is rich in carbohydrates and provides quick energy. Use it to make sabudana khichdi or sabudana vada seasoned with sendha namak and fresh cumin (jeera) for the best flavour.
2. Singhara (Water Chestnut) Flour
Singhara atta is a popular fasting flour used to make rotis, halwa, and pakoras. It is gluten-free and easy to digest. Season with black pepper (kali mirch) and rock salt for a wholesome taste.
3. Kuttu (Buckwheat) Flour
Kuttu ka atta is packed with protein and fibre. Use it to make kuttu ki puri or kuttu ka dosa. A pinch of cardamom (elaichi) in kuttu halwa makes it irresistible.
4. Rajgira (Amaranth)
Rajgira is a powerhouse grain allowed during most fasts — high in protein, calcium, and iron. Make rajgira ladoos or rajgira roti, and pair with a simple aloo sabzi spiced with cumin seeds and rock salt.
5. Fruits and Dry Fruits
Fresh fruits like bananas, apples, and papaya, along with dry fruits, are excellent fasting snacks. Phoran's Almond & Cashew Combo Pack and Premium Dry Fruits Gift Pack (5 varieties) are perfect fasting companions — pure, fresh, and ready to eat.
6. Dairy — Milk, Curd & Paneer
Dairy products are widely consumed during fasts. A glass of warm milk with a pinch of green cardamom (elaichi) is deeply satisfying and calming.
7. Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes
Aloo is the most versatile fasting food. Boiled, roasted, or made into a sabzi with rock salt and whole cumin seeds — simple, filling, and comforting.
Essential Fasting Spices from Phoran
Fasting food doesn't have to be bland. The right spices make all the difference — and during a fast, purity matters more than ever. Here are the must-have fasting spices, all available at Phoran:
- Sendha Namak (Rock Salt) — the only salt permitted during most fasts. Use it in every fasting dish.
- Jeera (Cumin Seeds) — aids digestion, adds earthy warmth to sabudana khichdi and aloo sabzi.
- Kali Mirch (Black Pepper) — boosts metabolism, adds gentle heat to fasting snacks and fruit chaat.
- Elaichi (Green Cardamom) — perfect for sweet fasting dishes, milk, and kheer.
- Dhaniya (Coriander) — cooling and aromatic for chutneys and garnishes.
- Saunf (Fennel Seeds) — a natural mouth freshener and digestive aid after fasting meals.
- Laung (Cloves) — antimicrobial and warming; great in fasting teas and milk.
👉 Shop all fasting spices: Panch Phoran 6-Spice Bundle — a ready-to-use collection of whole spices perfect for fasting cooking.
Foods to Avoid During Fasting
- Regular table salt (use sendha namak instead)
- Onion and garlic
- Grains like wheat, rice, and corn (unless your fast permits them)
- Lentils and legumes (in most Hindu fasts)
- Non-vegetarian food
Simple Fasting Meal Plan
- Breakfast: Sabudana khichdi with peanuts and cumin seeds
- Mid-morning: A banana with a handful of almonds and cashews
- Lunch: Kuttu ki puri with aloo sabzi and curd
- Evening: Singhara halwa or rajgira ladoo with cardamom
- Dinner: Makhana kheer or fruit chaat with rock salt and black pepper
Final Thoughts
Fasting is as much about mindfulness as it is about food. With wholesome ingredients and the purest spices, your fasting meals can be nourishing, delicious, and deeply satisfying. Explore Phoran's full range of fresh, small-batch spices to elevate every vrat meal you make.
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