Chhath Puja is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country. Chhath Puja is celebrated in the month of Kartik immediately after Diwali. Basically, Sun is worshiped in this festival based on the worship of nature. Scientists and health experts also believe that the sunshine vitamin i.e. Vitamin D obtained from the sun is very important for overall health. When you break your fast after the 36-hour long Chhath Puja fast, you should keep a few things in mind for your health. In this article, a dietitian explains what to do after a long fast on Chhath Puja. What you should and shouldn’t do.
During Chhath fast, devotees observe fast without eating or drinking anything for 3 days. In such a situation, dehydration is the biggest problem. Without food, metabolism also slows down. After this, eating too much or drinking something sweet can make your metabolism worse. Therefore, it is important to know what you should and should not do after a long Chhath fast.
To know more about it, we spoke to fitness and lifestyle coach Yash Aggarwal. Yash Aggarwal says that after fasting one should not eat anything heavy suddenly. One should always start with light.
Take care of your health like this after the long fast of Chhath Puja
What to do
1 Drink fluids first
This fast is observed while being hungry and thirsty. Therefore, lack of fluid in the body is common. For this, first of all you need to stay hydrated. Start by hydrating yourself. Start with water, coconut water or fruit juice to replace the fluids and electrolytes your body has lost. Its consumption can help in keeping your body well hydrated.
2 Eat light food instead of heavy food
Yash Aggarwal says that after breaking the fast, do not suddenly eat anything fried or spicy. This has a negative effect on your digestive power. Spicy food takes time to digest. This may cause you trouble.
You should eat easily digestible foods like fruits, boiled vegetables or light soups. Eating easily digestible foods can help your digestive system gradually adjust.
3 Eat grains and carbohydrates
Wait for a few minutes after eating something light. Don’t try to eat too much food at one go. Although you feel hungry at that time but you do not want to fill your entire stomach at once. Gradually start consuming whole grains and carbohydrates. Foods such as rice, quinoa or whole-grain bread can be introduced gradually in small amounts to provide sustained energy.
4 rest
Long fasts also make you tired. Remember that during this time you are not feeding your body properly. However, you have been busy. Therefore, rest after fasting is as important as proper diet. Take time for yourself and relax. This will help your digestive system function properly and refresh your body.
what not to do
1 Avoid heavy or spicy food
Avoid heavy, greasy or overly spicy food immediately after breaking the fast. This can take a toll on your digestive system.
2 Limit sweet foods
It is tempting to eat sweets after fasting, but it is better to limit sweets in the beginning as they can cause a sudden increase in blood sugar levels.
3 Avoid non-vegetarian food, smoking or alcohol
After fasting, your body is unable to control those things which destroy it. Smoking and alcohol both dehydrate your body. When your body has to work harder to digest non-vegetarian food. After 36 hours of fasting, your metabolism is not ready for this. By doing this you may have to face swelling or digestive problems.
4 Limit tea and coffee too
Give your body more time before reintroducing stimulants like tea or coffee. They may affect your system differently after fasting. This can cause further dehydration in your body. Some people need tea to relieve fatigue. When at this time your body needs proper nutrition and rest more than tea or coffee.