Wholesome And Festive: Clean Eating Ideas For A Nourishing Navratri

Last Updated:September 28, 2025, 10:25 IST

Chef Gajendra Singh Chauhan shares expert tips for clean eating during Navratri, from nutritious vrat-friendly meals to wholesome, festive desserts.

Food plays a central role during festivals, and clean eating doesn’t mean compromising on taste

Navratri is a time of spiritual reflection, devotion, and mindful eating. “As an Executive Sous Chef at Salad Days, I believe festivals like these offer the perfect opportunity to embrace clean eating while staying true to tradition. Clean eating during fasting doesn’t mean restriction, it’s about balance, nourishment, and choosing foods that energize both body and soul,” says Gajendra Singh Chauhan, Executive Sous Chef, New Product Development, Salad Days.

While certain grains and ingredients are avoided during Navratri, this opens up exciting possibilities for creativity in the kitchen. Ingredients like samak rice, sweet potatoes, makhanas, and fresh fruits not only adhere to fasting guidelines but also bring nutrition and variety to the table. “With the right approach, vrat-friendly meals can be light, wholesome, and deeply satisfying,” he adds.

This year, Salad Days is celebrating the season with a special Navratri dessert, the Mango Makhana Parfait. “It combines creamy mango yogurt, milk-soaked makhanas, premium nuts, and a medley of fresh fruits. It’s a treat that is vrat-friendly yet celebratory, indulgent but nourishing, festive yet light,” explains Chauhan.

Food plays a central role during festivals, and clean eating doesn’t mean compromising on taste. Instead, it’s about mindful swaps: roasted makhanas instead of fried snacks, grilled vegetables over heavy curries, or fresh fruit-based desserts in place of overly sweet options.

“We see Navratri as an opportunity to encourage mindful eating and promote a lifestyle that allows people to celebrate without feeling weighed down. That, to me, is the true essence of clean eating during Navratri, simplicity, balance, and wholesomeness, all while honoring tradition,” concludes Chauhan.

Practical Pointers for Clean Eating During Navratri

Opt for Whole, Natural Foods: Use ingredients like samak rice, sweet potatoes, makhanas, and fresh seasonal fruits.

Healthy Cooking Methods: Prefer steaming, roasting, or grilling over frying.

Mindful Swaps: Replace heavy, creamy desserts with fruit-based options or yogurt parfaits.

Balance & Portion Control: Include proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats to stay energized.

Hydration & Freshness: Drink plenty of water and include fresh juices or herbal infusions to stay refreshed.

Limit Processed Foods: Minimize packaged or overly sugary items to maintain energy and digestive health.

About the Author

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More

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Author: News18