5 immunity-boosting Navratri foods to keep you healthy and energised

Navratri is here and it’s the time when many Hindu families around the world fast as a mark of devotion to goddess Durga. With Covid-19 infection still roaming around in the air, this year too, the celebration of Navratri will be a bit difficult for the devotees. Many are going through tough times, many are infected with the virus but they are still keen to fast.

Here are some immunity-boosting foods for Navratri that one can eat for strengthening their immunity while they are on a fasting diet:

1. Makhanas or foxnuts

Makhanas are the best food to have during Navratri fast. They are rich in protein and fiber and hence keep you energised and full during the day. They have almost zero calories. Also, they help in increasing the immunity by flushing out toxins from the body. You can use makhana in various ways like you can add them to your sabzi or kheer—you can roast or caramelise them and eat them as snacks.

2. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is one of the most preferred foods during Navratri fast. It is rich in immunity-boosting nutrients. Being high in beta-carotene, it helps your body to produce vitamin A which helps in fighting infections and improves your immunity system. You can make pumpkin soup made with ginger and turmeric. It will act as a good substitute for fried snacks and will also keep you full for long.

3. Sweet potato

Sweet potato is an excellent source of beta-carotene which is transferred into vitamin A by the body. Vitamin A is good for a healthy immune system. You can have sweet potato chaat or shakarkandi chaat made with boiled and peeled sweet potato, topped with rock salt, chaat masala or chilli powder (if you use them during navratris) and lemon. This chaat will keep you full for a very long time.

4. Coconut water

Coconut water is an excellent source of nutrients like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine and folates. It has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that help in making your immunity system strong and healthy. Apart from this, coconut water keeps you hydrated for long.

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5. Singhara atta

Singhara atta, also known as water chestnut flour, is high in nutrients and is an ideal choice for navratri fasts. You can make chapattis out of it, paranthas, pooris or even cheela. It has unique properties which help in detoxifying the body and also helps in regulating water levels in the body.