Fasting and abstaining from even drinking water is part of the tradition which women normally observe during the occasion of Karva Chauth. The health experts are of the view that fasting women should take special care to keep them free from any ailment on the day. For the long and prosperous life of their husbands the women generally observe a day long fast and eat only after the ritual of seeing the moon with many not even taking any water during the day. Health experts believe that it is where they become prone to falling ill.
The senior Physician at Doon Hospital here Dr Praveen Panwar said that the aged women and those suffering from hyper tension and diabetes should refrain from taking fast. “In case these women insist for fast then they should not abstain from drinking water as it could cause serious problem,” he said. The Physician suggested immediate consultation from doctor and breaking the fast if any uneasiness is observed.
The Dietician of Doon hospital, Dr Richa Kukreti said that women should rise early on the day and take high calorie diet like Dry fruit Halwa and drink sufficient water before the dawn. She said that the practice of drinking a cup of milk tea after pooja in afternoon is actually problematic as it could cause gastric troubles. Kukreti suggested herbal tea or black tea as alternative. She said that women could take fruit breaks in between.
The dietician was of the view that the women should avoid oily and spicy food at end of the day to break the fast. “Many women tend to overeat at end of the day and prefer spicy and heavy food. I suggest that a food light on stomach with plenty of salad would avoid gastric troubles,” she said. The nutrition expert also added a word of caution for pregnant women that they should not observe fast on the day and if they insist they should take a fruit break or banana shake to keep them energized for the sake of the child in the womb. Kukreti said that fasting women should remain active and should not get psychologically bogged down by the idea of keeping fast and abstaining from drinking water on the occasion of Karwa Chouth.