Viswanath Reddy Gastroenterologist

On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, devotees often observe fasting (vrat) in honor of Lord Shiva. The diet is usually light, sattvic, and easy to digest.

Here’s a simple, practical guide 👇

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🔱 Types of Fasting
1. Nirjala Fast – No food, no water (strict; only if medically fit).
2. Phalahar Fast – Fruits, milk, and permitted vrat foods.
3. Partial Fast – One light sattvic meal in the day.

(If you have diabetes, acidity, or long procedures scheduled — avoid strict fasting.)

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🥛 What You Can Eat

🌿 Fruits
• Banana
• Apple
• Papaya
• Pomegranate
• Sapota
• Coconut (fresh water + malai)

🥣 Vrat Grains & Flours
• Sabudana (khichdi/upma)
• Kuttu (buckwheat) roti
• Rajgira (amaranth) roti/ladoo
• Samak rice (barnyard millet)

🥔 Light Cooked Items
• Boiled/roasted potato (with sendha namak)
• Sweet potato
• Pumpkin (mildly spiced)

🥛 Dairy
• Milk
• Curd
• Buttermilk
• Paneer (lightly sautéed)

🥜 Nuts & Seeds
• Almonds
• Peanuts
• Walnuts
• Fox nuts (makhana)

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❌ Avoid
• Regular salt (use sendha namak)
• Rice, wheat, dals
• Onion & garlic
• Heavy fried food
• Excess tea/coffee

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🩺 Healthy Fasting Tips (Medical Perspective)
• Hydrate well (unless nirjala).
• Avoid excessive sabudana if diabetic (high glycemic).
• Include protein (curd, paneer, nuts) to prevent fatigue.
• Break fast gently — start with fruit or warm milk.

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🌙 Simple Sample Plan

Morning: Coconut water + fruit
Afternoon: Sabudana khichdi + curd
Evening: Milk + handful nuts
Night (after puja): Light fruit or samak rice

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May this Maha Shivaratri purify body and mind and bring balance and clarity.
Har Har Mahadev 🔱🌙

Felt privileged to have been given DrNB examiner role at SDMH, Jaipur. Unique experience.