Fasting is generally good for health, but if you are a patient, consult your doctor before you fast on Janmashtami, said Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India and MTNL Perfect Health Mela.
A Fast or Vrata purifies the mind, body and soul. It facilitates restraining of the senses. It advocates a satvik lifestyle. The three wise monkeys of Mahatma Gandhi symbolize inner purification by the three principles of See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil. Similarly, fasting also means fasting from negative thoughts and not simply abstaining from food and water.
The Heart Care Foundation of India released guidelines for taking food while fasting.
Fast without water: The ardent followers of Lord Krishna celebrate Janmashtami by observing Nirjal fasts, which literally means starvation with no food and water intake. The fast is broken only at midnight, when aarti is performed and prasad are offered to the deity. Patients with kidney disease should not do this type of fast. Those who take medicinal drugs should take it with minimal water.
Phalahar Fast: This is another type of fast observed on Krishna Janmashtami. It is relatively lenient than the nirjal fast, because the person can consume milk and fruits. No cereals are taken. The fast is broken at midnight, after Janmashtami Puja. This fast if done once a week is good for patients with diabetes and heart disease and those who are obese. But, on the day of fast diabetics will need to reduce their intake of insulin and other anti diabetic drugs.
Food for Janmashtami Fast: A variety of dishes using milk, milk products are made like Peda, Shrikhand, Kalakand, Vella Seedai, Neyyappam, kheer are made. Some prepare 56 dishes (Chappan Bhog) on this day. People should be cautious as refined carbohydrates (white sugar, white flour and white rice), chocolates and food cooked in trans fats rich in hydrogenated vanaspati oils are harmful for the health. Instead, singhara, kuttu (buckwheat) flour, cholai laddo and samak rice are made from fruits and not cereals and can be eaten.
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