Navratra diet: Restaurants shift to healthier low-calorie dishes

When it comes to "fasting" during the Navratras, people usually opt for puris, pakodas and sweets, but keeping in mind the health-conscious generation, restaurants in different Indian cities have experimented with innovative and alternative low-calorie dishes to cater to the tastes of the new age devout.

An executive chef point out that over the past few seasons, there has been a shift from traditional recipes served during Navratra to more innovative dishes.

"In fact, we have tried to incorporate these elements in our menu and present dishes such as Hare mattar adrak ki chaat and Plantain koftas which give patrons the chance to follow the nine-day fast and yet at the same time indulge in a range of sumptuous delicacies, all of which are made using saatvik ingredients.

"Also there is gradual shift to healthier, low-calorie alternatives from traditional Navratra food such as puris, pakodas and mithai. People are now increasingly consuming soups, uttapams and idlis during the Navratra," said the chef.

Navratra is celebrated twice in a year – once in the month of Chaitra (mostly falling in March end or April) and in the season of Sharad (in October or November). It is an auspicious festival in the Hindu calendar where some opt for fasting during the entire period, while some on the first and last days.

Sanjay B Dasari, Executive Chef at Hotel The Ashok, has come up with a special Navratra thali this season. He feels the new generation is more open to experimentation with food during this time unlike the old generation.

"The new generation of Indians though are more open to try out new Navratra specials introduced by many fast food outlets, most of the elder generation still prefer to stick to traditional sama ke chawal, arbi or sitaphal ki sabzi, kuttu ki puri and sabudana tikkis. But as a whole in this era, eating out has become more common, particularly during this festive season," said Dasari.

It's not just in Delhi where people are opting for low calorie and innovative fasting dishes. There are eateries in Pune too catering to such tastes.

"Navratra typically calls for a fasting special menu as more and more people are opening up to the idea of eating out during fasts. The market is still quite niche and largely untapped.

"Also, there is an increase in innovation for fasting foods as people are eager to try various different renderings of our traditional fasting food. Our menu has been designed with an aim of making fasting as enjoyable as possible and at the same time ensuring that it fulfils the body's requirement of nutrients," told another chef from Pune.

Some of their Navratra foods are Tandoori paneer matar – made of hung curd, cottage cheese, green peas, tomato, seasonings and fresh coriander – and Motiyana kheer, an amalgam of sago, milk, sugar, condensed milk, cardamom powder and dry fruits.