Manage Your Diabetes During Paryushan

August 22, 2016

Paryushan is an important Jain festival celebrated in the month of August or September. Paryushan means “abiding, coming together”. The duration of Paryusan is for eight days for Swetambar jains and ten days for jains belonging to the Digambara sect.

During Paryushan, Jains observe a fast. The span of the fast can last from a day to 30 days or even more.

DIABETIC PATIENTS WHO CAN FAST DURING PARYUSHAN ARE:

  • Patients whose sugar levels are normal
  • Patients who are on insulin should consult doctor and make necessary insulin dose adjustments.
  • Patients whose HbA1C is normal i.e. less than 6.5%

Blood sugars more than 250- 300mg/dl are not advised to fast or visit doctor to make necessary changes in the medication and diet.

BREAK THE FAST:

  • If you feel hungry, tired, weakness, headache, these are symptoms of hypoglycemia. If you feel thirsty, frequently feel to urinate, double vision, these are symptoms of hyperglycemia.
  • Random Blood Sugar below 70mg/dl – Treat immediately by having glucose water or sugar or toffees or any sweet item and visit your doctor immediately
  • Random Blood Sugar is above 250-300 mg/dl consult your doctor

HEALTHY TIPS FOR PARYUSHAN:

  • Use whole grains and pulses
  • Include bajra, nachni, jowar, and oats in your diet for fiber
  • Add oats while making dough for roti
  • Also you can have bajra or nachni roti
  • Drink atleast 8-12 glasses of water per day
  • Have milk, tea or coffee (in minimal quanitities, excess intake can cause dehydration)
  • Have dal soups, buttermilk and porridges
  • If doing choviyar, add milk or fruits like apple, pear, and papaya. It will help you to maintain blood sugars in normal range for a longer period of time.

EXERCISE DURING PARYUSHAN:

  • Yoga & Brisk walking are best form of exercise one can do
  • If you are doing upvas than avoid doing exercise
  • If exercising, one can do it early morning in sunlight or in evening
  • At least exercise for 30-45 minutes; 3-4 times a week

 

Here is a recipe to fulfill your nutrient requirements which you loose during Paryushan.

BAJRA MOONG DAAL KHICHADI

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/4 cup bajra (soaked for 5 hours and drained)
  • 1/4 cup moong
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
  • a pinch of asafoetida (hing)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • salt to taste

METHOD:

  • Soak the bajra and moong separately in enough water in a deep bowl for 5 hours and drain well.
  • Combine the bajra, moong, salt and 1 cup of water in a pressure cooker, mix well and pressure cook for 5 whistles.
  • Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid. Keep aside.
  • Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan and add the cumin seeds.
  • When the seeds crackle, add and the asafoetida, turmeric powder, chilli powder.
  • Add the cooked bajra-moong dal mixture and ¼ cup of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
  • Serve hot with curd.
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