Breakfast holds significant importance on any day, and its value is heightened during the Navratri fast. While many individuals prioritize lunch and dinner during fasting, they often overlook breakfast. However, it is essential to recognize that a nutritious breakfast is crucial for sustaining energy levels throughout the day. Consuming a wholesome breakfast can help you remain active and vibrant all day long. If you are uncertain about what to prepare for breakfast, here are some healthy and nutritious recipes suitable for Navratri that can be prepared quickly. These dishes are not only flavorful but also satisfying, ensuring you have the stamina to carry you through the day.

What is the best breakfast during Navratri fasting?

Although it may seem that breakfast is a meal that can be easily omitted during a fast, this is not the case. A study published in the journal Advances in Nutrition indicates that consuming breakfast can lead to improvements in appetite regulation and satiety levels. During Navratri fasting, a nutritious breakfast might consist of millet porridge, fruit salad with yogurt, or sabudana khichdi. You can enhance these Navratri dishes by adding nuts and makhana (fox nuts), and pairing them with a glass of buttermilk to ensure energy and hydration throughout the day. Adhering to healthy Navratri breakfast recipes can help you feel satisfied and energized all day long.

8 healthy Navratri recipes for breakfast

When it comes to breakfast, it can be confusing to decide what to eat. However, here are some healthy Navratri recipes that you can whip up in the morning.

1. Sabudana khichdi

In the realm of Navratri snacks, this dish stands out as a favorite. Sabudana, or tapioca pearls, is rich in carbohydrates, offering a quick source of energy. Additionally, peanuts add healthy fats and protein, supporting sustained metabolism. Cooking it in ghee enhances nutrient absorption and promotes gut health. These qualities make Sabudana khichdi an ideal recipe for Navratri celebrations.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sabudana (tapioca pearls)
• ½ cup roasted peanuts, coarsely crushed
• 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 8-10 curry leaves
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• ½ teaspoon rock salt (or as per taste)
• ½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions

• Rinse sabudana under water until the water is clear. Soak in enough water (about ½ cup) for 4-6 hours or overnight. Drain excess water and fluff the pearls with a fork.
• In a bowl, mix soaked sabudana with crushed peanuts, salt, and sugar.
• Heat ghee/oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and curry leaves. Add green chili and diced potatoes and sauté until potatoes turn soft.
• Add the sabudana mixture to the pan and stir well. Cook on low-medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pearls become translucent.
• Turn off the heat and mix in lemon juice and coriander leaves.

2. Millet porridge

Millet porridge is an excellent option for breakfast during Navratri. According to a study published in the journal Grain & Oil Science and Technology, millet is gluten-free and easy to digest. Additionally, milk provides calcium and protein, which are essential for bone health, while jaggery enhances the iron content, helping to prevent fatigue.

Ingredients

• ½ cup barnyard millet (samak rice)
• 1½ cups water
• ½ cup milk (or almond/coconut milk for vegan option)
• 1 tablespoon jaggery or honey (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped nuts (almonds, cashews)
• 1 teaspoon ghee (optional)
• 1 tablespoon raisins (optional)

Instructions

• Rinse millet and cook with water until soft (~10 mins).
• Stir in milk, jaggery/honey, and cardamom. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• In a pan, lightly roast nuts in ghee and add to the porridge.
• Garnish with raisins and enjoy your nutritious Navratri special porridge.

3. Buckwheat pancake

Buckwheat is a major ingredient in most Navratri recipes. It is rich in fibre and amino acids. It helps in supporting cardiovascular health and blood sugar balance. Potatoes enhance energy while cumin improves digestion.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup buckwheat flour (kuttu atta)
• ¼ cup mashed banana or grated apple (for sweetness)
• ¼ cup yogurt (or water for a vegan option)
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 teaspoon ghee or coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

• Mix buckwheat flour, mashed banana/apple, yoghurt, and cardamom to form a smooth batter. Add water if needed.
• Heat ghee on a pan, pour small batter circles and cook until golden brown on both sides.

4. Makhana Kheer

Makhana (fox nuts) can also be added to many Navratri recipes. It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. They help in promoting joint health and minimising oxidative stress.

Ingredients

• 1 cup makhana (fox nuts)
• 2 cups milk (or almond milk for a vegan option)
• 2 tablespoons jaggery or sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped nuts (almonds, cashews)
• 1 teaspoon ghee

Instructions

• Heat ghee in a pan, roast makhana until crispy, then crush slightly.
• Boil milk, add makhana, and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft.
• Add jaggery/sugar, cardamom, and nuts. Stir well.

5. Sweet potato chaat

Sweet potatoes are abundant in fiber, vitamin A, and complex carbohydrates, rendering them a nutritious component in many Navratri dishes. Sweet potato chaat stands out as a beneficial recipe for Navratri, as it offers a gradual release of energy and enhances immunity. Additionally, lemon juice facilitates the absorption of iron.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes (boiled & cubed)
• 1 teaspoon rock salt (sendha namak)
• ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon chopped coriander leaves
• 1 teaspoon pomegranate seeds (optional)

Instructions

• Peel and chop boiled sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
• Add salt, cumin, black pepper, and lemon juice. Toss well.
• Top with coriander and pomegranate.

6. Rajgira paratha (amaranth flatbread)

Rajgira (amaranth) is high in protein and has lysine, an amino acid necessary for muscle repair and immunity. Adding this to Navratri recipes makes for a healthy and fulfilling meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Rajgira (Amaranth) flour
• 1 medium boiled potato (mashed)
• ½ teaspoon rock salt (sendha namak)
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• 1 teaspoon chopped coriander
• Water (as needed)
• Ghee (for cooking)

Instructions

• In a bowl, mix rajgira flour, mashed potato, salt, cumin, black pepper, and coriander. Add water little by little to make a soft dough.
• Take a small portion, flatten it between greased plastic sheets, and roll gently.
• Heat a tawa, and cook the paratha with ghee on both sides until golden brown.

7. Banana walnut smoothie

Bananas can be incorporated into various Navratri dishes. They contain natural sugars and potassium, providing sustained energy. Additionally, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health. This combination makes the Navratri recipe highly nutritious and worth trying.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup milk (or almond milk for fasting)
• 5-6 walnuts
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
• Ice cubes (optional)

Instructions

• Blend banana, walnuts, milk, honey, and cardamom powder until smooth.
• Pour into a glass, add ice if desired, and serve immediately.

8. Lauki Halwa

Lauki, also known as bottle gourd, is low in calories and has hydrating properties that support kidney function and aid digestion. Incorporating milk and nuts enhances the dish with protein and healthy fats. This recipe is both nutritious and beneficial for health, making it an excellent choice for Navratri.

Ingredients

• 2 cups grated lauki (bottle gourd)
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• ¼ cup jaggery or sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 5-6 chopped almonds & cashews

Instructions

• Heat ghee in a pan, add grated lauki, and sauté for 5 minutes.
• Pour in milk and cook until lauki softens and absorbs the milk.
• Add jaggery/sugar, mix well, and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Stir in cardamom powder and garnish with nuts.

These Navratri recipes move beyond the traditional fried foods that are usually had during this time. Not only are these Navratri recipes quick and easy to make, but these dishes are both yummy and healthy.

Read Also: Rude Food: Vir Sanghvi’s Guide to Culinary Elegance

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