Navratri 2025: Not Just Onion And Garlic, But Even Peas And Cauliflower Are Not Fast-Friendly

Last Updated:September 24, 2025, 20:39 IST

During Navratri fasts, not just onion and garlic, but even common vegetables like eggplant, peas, and cauliflower are avoided. Here’s why…

During Navratri, the focus is on simple, nutritious food that sustains the body without overwhelming the digestive system. (AI Generated)

Navratri is among the most widely celebrated festivals in India, spanning nine days of devotion, rituals, and fasting. It honours the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and is considered a time for both spiritual cleansing and physical discipline. Observing fasts during Navratri is not only a religious practice but also has health benefits, particularly during the seasonal transition from monsoon to winter.

During these nine days, only sattvic (pure) food is permitted. Onions and garlic are strictly avoided, as they are considered tamasic, believed to disturb the body’s energy and mental clarity.

Sattvic food is simple, plant-based, and easy to digest, including fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, milk, and dairy products. According to Ayurveda, such foods help maintain energy levels, improve digestion, and bring mental clarity, which is why they are recommended during fasting.

Why Processed And ‘Tamasic’ Foods Are Avoided?

Processed food is considered ‘lifeless’ in Ayurveda and is completely avoided during the Navratri fast. Likewise, any kind of meat or animal product is prohibited. Ayurveda categorises foods into three types:

• Sattvic (pure, natural, clean)
• Rajasic (stimulating and agitating)
• Tamasic (heavy, dull, and distracting)

Foods like garlic and onion fall into the tamasic category. Ayurveda experts believe these foods overstimulate the senses and disturb emotional balance.

Garlic, referred to as Rajogini, is said to increase bodily desires, while onions are believed to produce internal heat and mental restlessness.

Vegetables You Should Not Eat During Navratri

Several vegetables are also avoided during the fast, not just for religious reasons but also due to health concerns:

1. Legumes and Pulses: Beans, chickpeas, peas, and other legumes are not eaten as they are harder to digest and produce gas. Although peas are considered vegetables, they are technically seeds enclosed in pods, classifying them closer to grains or fruits.
2. Cruciferous Vegetables: Cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli belong to this category. They are rich in FODMAPs, compounds known to cause gas, bloating, and acidity. Since the digestive system becomes more sensitive during fasting, these should be avoided.
3. Eggplant (Brinjal): Considered tamasic and impure, eggplant is not recommended during fasts. It’s believed to attract insects and contains oxalates, which may hinder calcium absorption and affect bone health.
4. Mushrooms: Classified as fungi, mushrooms are seen as impure in traditional scriptures. They can also trigger digestive issues such as stomach pain, diarrhoea, or vomiting, especially harmful when fasting.
5. Other Prohibited Vegetables: Okra (ladyfinger), ridge gourd, various types of beans, and leafy greens like spinach are also generally excluded from the fasting diet.

What Can You Eat During Navratri?

During Navratri, the focus is on simple, nutritious food that sustains the body without overwhelming the digestive system. Popular ingredients include:

• Sama rice (barnyard millet)
• Kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour)
• Singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour)
• Sabudana (sago or tapioca pearls)
• Potatoes and sweet potatoes
• Pumpkins and bottle gourd
• Fresh fruits and dairy products like milk, ghee, curd, butter, etc.

People often get confused about which vegetables are allowed during Navratri. It’s essential to remember that only selected, easily digestible root vegetables and fruits are encouraged, while most greens and legumes are avoided.

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Author: News18