Teej Diet Guide: Eating Mindfully During Fasting

Teej is a festival of devotion and tradition, often marked by fasting. While the spiritual aspect is central, caring for your health during this time is equally important.

Stage 1: Pre-Fast Preparation

1. Hydrate well – Drink enough water the day before to avoid dehydration.
2. Eat balanced meals – Include complex carbs (millets, brown rice), proteins (lentils, paneer, beans), and healthy fats (nuts, ghee).
3. Avoid excess caffeine – It may cause headaches during fasting.

Stage 2: During the Fast

1. Traditional Nirjala Fast – If followed, ensure you rested well the day before.
2. If food/liquid is allowed – Opt for fruits like banana, apple, or pomegranate, and cooling drinks like coconut water or buttermilk.
3. Stay cool – Avoid overexertion; conserve energy.

Stage 3: Post-Fast Recovery

1. Break the fast gently – Begin with water or fresh fruit juice.
2. Light foods first – Moong dal khichdi, vegetable soups, or curd rice are gentle on the stomach.
3. Gradually resume normal meals – Avoid oily, heavy foods immediately.

Nutritious Festive Choices

• Prepare sweets with jaggery, dates, or honey instead of refined sugar.
• Use steamed or baked snacks in place of deep-fried versions.
• Add iron-rich foods (spinach, raisins, dates) to replenish energy levels.

Quick Healthy Recipes for Teej

1. Jaggery Kheer (Healthy Version)

• Ingredients: milk, grated jaggery, soaked rice, cardamom, chopped nuts.
• Method: Cook rice in milk, stir in jaggery after cooling slightly, garnish with nuts.

2. Millet Ladoo

• Ingredients: roasted millet flour, ghee, jaggery syrup, sesame seeds.
• Method: Mix flour with warm jaggery syrup and ghee, shape into small ladoos.

3. Fruit & Nut Chaat

• Ingredients: seasonal fruits (apple, papaya, pomegranate), soaked dates, almonds, a pinch of black salt.
• Method: Chop fruits, toss with nuts and black salt for a refreshing chaat.

Post-Teej Diet Plan

1. Morning (Gentle Start)
   • Warm water with lemon or soaked fenugreek seeds.
   • Light fruits: papaya, apple, or pomegranate.
2. Breakfast
   • Soft khichdi or daliya with vegetables.
   • A glass of buttermilk or light curd.
3. Mid-Morning Snack
   • Coconut water or fresh fruit juice (unsweetened).
   • Handful of soaked almonds or raisins.
4. Lunch
   • Steamed rice or phulka.
   • Dal (moong preferred), one seasonal vegetable, green salad.
   • A spoon of ghee for easy digestion.
5. Evening Snack
   • Roasted chana or fox nuts (makhana).
   • Herbal tea or light soup.
6. Dinner (Light and Early)
   • Vegetable soup or upma/poha.
   • Avoid heavy, oily, or fried foods.
7. Bedtime
   • Warm turmeric milk or fennel seed water for calm digestion.