Navratri is nine days of devotion, and many families fast or switch to vrat food. Fasting is safe for most healthy adults, but some people feel tired, acidic or dizzy, especially if they drink too little water or eat mostly fried vrat snacks.

Common problems during Navratri fasts

• Tiredness and low energy
• Acidity and gas
• Headache
• Constipation

Tips for a healthy fast

• Drink water, coconut water, chaach or nimbu-pani through the day
• Choose fruit, curd, makhana, roasted peanuts and sabudana khichdi over only pakoras and puris
• Don't go very long hours without eating anything
• Break the fast with a light meal, not a heavy fried one

Check with your doctor before fasting if

• you have diabetes, especially if you take insulin or sugar tablets, as fasting can make your sugar drop too low
• you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• you have kidney or heart disease, or take regular medicines

Don't skip or change medicine for diabetes or blood pressure during the fast without asking the doctor who prescribed it.

Can I take homeopathic medicine while fasting? (क्या व्रत में होम्योपैथिक दवा खा सकते हैं?)

Yes. Homeopathic medicine can be taken during a vrat in the dose Dr Amit Kumar has prescribed. If your fast doesn't allow the sugar globules, tell him; the medicine can also be given in water.

हाँ, व्रत के दौरान भी होम्योपैथिक दवा डॉक्टर की बताई मात्रा में ली जा सकती है। अगर आपके व्रत में मीठी गोलियाँ नहीं ली जातीं, तो डॉक्टर को बताएं, दवा पानी में भी दी जा सकती है।

Dr Amit Kumar (BHMS, Delhi Homoeopathic Board Reg. No. 2350) has practised in Sector 4, Vaishali, Ghaziabad since 1994. The clinic is at B-3, Basement, Mini Reliance Plaza, near Sarvodaya Hospital, open Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 1 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM. A consultation costs ₹500.

See clinic timings and book a consultation