During Janmashtami fasting, people typically consume foods that are light, nutritious, and made from specific ingredients allowed during the fast. Here are common foods you can eat while fasting on Janmashtami:
- Flours and grains allowed: Water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta), buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta), amaranth flour (rajgira ka atta), barnyard millet flour (sama ke chawal ka atta), and tapioca pearls (sabudana)
- Dairy products: Milk, curd (yogurt), buttermilk, paneer, and makhan (butter) are encouraged as they provide protein and calcium
- Fruits and nuts: Fresh fruits like bananas, apples, pomegranates, and melons, as well as nuts such as almonds and roasted peanuts, are good for energy and nutrients
- Vegetables: Non-grain vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and bottle gourd can be eaten, usually boiled or lightly sautéed with rock salt and minimal spices
- Popular fasting dishes: Sabudana khichdi, sabudana vada, kuttu puri or roti, rajgira chapati or halwa, amaranth tikki, and fruit raita made with yogurt are common
- Seasonings: Use sendha namak (rock salt) instead of regular salt to maintain fasting rules
- Avoid: Garlic, onions, fried snacks like pakoras, and heavy or oily foods
These foods are nutritious, easy to digest, and help maintain energy during the fast while respecting traditional fasting guidelines for Janmashtami
