Karwa Chauth 2023: Fasting with Diabetes? Tips to Remember; Sargi Foods to Eat
Hindu women across the nation celebrate Karwa Chauth, a one-day fast, with great fervour. On Karwa Chauth, the fourth day of the Hindu month of Kartik during the Krishna Paksha, married women from states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh fast from sunrise to moonrise. It is crucial to monitor your health during the fast and begin the day with a hearty and nourishing pre-dawn meal.
Experts advise diabetic women to observe extra caution during fasting to prevent a sharp increase or decrease in blood sugar. The importance of Karwa Chauth in Indian daily life can have an impact on digestive health. If done under careful supervision and guidance, keeping the fast during Karwa Chauth can be advantageous for women with diabetes. Making the appropriate plans and implementing the required safety precautions for routine blood sugar monitoring, medication, exercise, and meals before and after fasting are crucial.
Since every person’s body reacts differently, it is important to pay attention to any signals or symptoms that your body may give you while you are fasting. It is recommended that women with diabetes, in particular, stay hydrated by drinking water prior to beginning the fast. If hypoglycemia symptoms haven’t appeared recently, it’s advised to drink tea, fruit juice, or coconut water at least once during the day. During the day, pay attention to mindfulness and rest, particularly if you feel weak or lightheaded.
Karwa Chauth fasting can be customized to meet the dietary needs of women who have diabetes. Dietician Priya Palan recommends the following foods for women with diabetes who are fasting during the pre-dawn meal known as Sargi:
mixed nuts or a milkshake?
Filled cauliflower paratha
Nuts and cheese with oats
Fruit platter
Extra veggies along with a fruit and poha (flattened rice)
Besan cheese, roasted gram flour, and a fruit
When preparing to fast during Karwa Chauth, women with diabetes must carefully consider their health. One precaution is to drink plenty of water the day before fasting. Because every person’s body reacts differently, it’s important to pay attention to any symptoms and listen to your body. The body uses the energy it has stored up during a fast to sustain us. Drinking tea, fruit juice, or coconut water at least once a day is advised if someone has recently experienced hypoglycemia. For inner comfort and strength, rest twice a day and concentrate on mindfulness. If you feel weak or dizzy, check your blood sugar levels. “It’s better to consult with a diabetes specialist, endocrinologist, or physician before starting a fast,” suggests nutritionist Shrutie Bharadwaj.
Stable glucose levels throughout the day are largely maintained by properly adjusting medications in accordance with the fasting regimen. Stressing a balanced pre- and post-fast meal is equally important. For women with diabetes, limiting sugar and deep-fried foods is a good way to effectively manage blood sugar swings. High levels of hydration may be necessary when taking certain diabetes medications in such circumstances. In that case, during the fasting period, give priority to drinking fluids.”
