Know What You Should Eat and What You Should Not Eat on Any Particular Date
It is said that one should open his mind, before opening his mouth. Mindful eating is necessary, it not only has health implications, but spiritual significance as well. It is said that one should eat Satvik, restrict Rajasic and eliminate Tamasic food for the spiritual journey. Interestingly, eating certain items on specific days and not eating certain items on specific days also has an impact on our lives, health and spiritual journey. Let us see how:
During Navratri
It is said that observing fasts on these days helps in the purification of the body as well as the mind.
Follow a Satvik diet including milk and nuts. The meal should be consumed after sunset. Also, use rock salt instead of table salt.
Tamasic food items like non-vegetarian items, fast foods, canned items, and alcohol must be avoided.
During Shravan Somvar Vrat
The holy month of Shravan is considered very auspicious for the devotees of Bhagwan Shiva. It is said that the devotees who undertake fast in this month get their desires fulfilled.
Refrain from consuming watermelon, cereal items, maida, garlic and dairy products on these days. Dairy can create an imbalance in Vata Dosha. Alcohol is a big no, it is a sin and is considered a pollutant that brings negative energy.
You can consume sabudana and raw bananas.
During Ekadashi
On these days, one must refrain from consuming rice, consumption of which, it is said will make one reptile in the next birth. There is a story behind that. According to legend, Maharishi Medha left his body to escape the wrath and ire of Mother Shakti. At that moment his body parts were in the Earth and Maharishi Medha arose in the form of barley and rice.
Ekadashi Tithi is the day that Maharishi Medha’s body parts were absorbed into the earth. Since then, it has been believed the Maharishi Medha took birth on earth as barley and rice. So, they are considered living beings. Besides rice, one must not eat barley, lentils and beans.
During Pradosh vrat
It is an important fast that is dedicated to Mahadev. Traditionally, on this day one must observe complete abstinence from food. If that is not possible, one can observe an incomplete fast, and consume Sabudana khichdi with potatoes and groundnuts. A complete fruit diet can be practised. Fresh milk products along with dry fruits can be consumed. Onions and garlic are to be avoided.
Now, let us also talk about the general days of the week
The Navagraha are associated with a certain planet and certain days of the week. These planets are also associated with certain food items, which can bring us favourable results. Let us see how:
Sundays: Day of Sun – Sun is a fiery planet. Bitter flavours are associated with Sunday, so you should consume wheat, lavender and almonds along with a cup of lavender tea.
Mondays: Day of Moon – Especially on Mondays of Shravan Maas, you should not eat non-veg food, garam masala, or leafy vegetables in addition to the food items mentioned for Samvan Somvar Vrats. You should consume rice, milk, and curd.
On this day, people worship Mahadev and offer him food of white colour. Consumption of rice, ghee, milk, sugar, salt is considered good.
Tuesday: Day of Mars: Mars is associated with lord Hanuman, and is a fiery planet. Tuesdays for lentils so barley, moong dal and other red foods can do you good. Having masoor dal can bring good health and luck helps in stabilising blood sugar levels.
Wednesdays: Day of Mercury or Budh: Budh favours green-coloured food. Consume mung beans, carrots, fruits, root vegetables, pumpkin and lentils. Also, on this day Ganesha ji is worshipped. Eating green-coloured food, such as moong dal with chilka is good for health and is also considered auspicious.
Thursdays: Day of Jupiter: On this day dedicated to Brishpati who loves yellow items, you can consume sweets, honey, and peppermint, along with wheat, jaggery, banana, lemon, jackfruit, orange, pineapple and barley. Consuming items of yellow colour such as chana dal is considered good.
Friday: Day of Venus: This day is associated with Devi Lakshmi who favours food items pertaining to the colour white. So, you should consume oats, sugar, semolina and rice on Fridays.
Saturday: Day of Shani or Saturn: The planet is associated with black things. You can consume corn, mustard oil, and black gram lentils on Saturdays.
Avoid consuming dairy on Saturdays, or add some turmeric or jaggery to it. Despite it being a week off, you should consume alcohol on Saturdays.
Rahu and Ketu: Though, they are not deities or planets, and are called shadow planets. Like Shani, they are also associated with black items such as Gulab jamun.
In order to nullify the malefic effects of Rahu and Ketu, eating 2 Tulsi leaves after a bath is considered helpful.
