Shivaratri Fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva.
Fasts are not meant to create undue hardship or create a life-threatening situation. All religions discourage people who are sick, pregnant, nursing a baby from fasting. Patients with diabetes fall under this category because their chronic metabolic disorder may place them at high-risk for various complications if the pattern and amount of their meal and fluid intake is markedly altered.
Myth: Fasting helps to maintain normal blood glucose levels
Facts:
- Fasting can cause hypoglycemia in patients with uncontrolled type I and type II diabetes mellitus.
- On the other hand, depending on the individual, fasting without using insulin can result in high blood sugars or in diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious diabetes complication caused by blood build-up of acids called ketones).
- Dehydration is another fear if fluids are avoided during the fast. But diabetes patients can safely fast if one follows a balanced way of eating.
- If you decide to fast, take advise from your diabetologist. Make sure your blood glucose levels are at normal range to avoid further complications
- Keep testing your blood glucose levels more often as your blood glucose levels may fall and chances of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels)
- During the fast, if you experience the symptoms of hypoglycemia such as feeling shakiness, sweating, chills, nervousness, irritability, nausea and disorientation then you must break the fast immediately
Modification in Diet:
- During the fasting period, following three major meals and snacks may be very difficult compared to the normal day
- Food intake must be simple yet varied, covering all the major group, fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates and dairy products
- It is advised to eat low glycemic index foods as they are slowly absorbed by the body
- Low glycemic foods such as fruits, fruit salad, milk shakes, buttermilk can be included
- High fiber foods like cereals, bran, whole wheat, grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and almost all fruits which are digested slowly can be included
- Heavily processed high fat, high glycemic index foods that contain refined carbohydrates (sugar and white flour) as well as fatty foods like banana chips, potato chips, cakes, biscuits must be avoided
- Reduced food intake during fasting may lead to hypoglycemia and if your blood sugar levels fall below 70mm/dL, treat with a glass of fruit juice, sugary drink or glucose tablets, followed by a snack such as a wheat bread sandwich or a bowl of cereal porridge
- If you break your fast for any reason, continue your meals for the day
Here are a few recipes for diabetics for Mahashivratri fasting compiled by our patient, Bhavika Hingwala.