Simple, sattvik meals and hydration led to weight loss of up to 3 kg among garba revellers during Navratri: survey

It has been known that Navratri nights filled with fast food and fried snacks can turn into a health setback for many revellers. According to health experts, avoiding such junk food and opting for simple, sattvik meals can reduce food intake by up to 40% during the nine-night period.

This lead to a weight loss of up to 3 kilos among garba revellers, while careless snacking may produce the opposite effect, they said.

Surveys show that as many as 65% of garba participants complained of weight gain due to late-night bingeing.

A recent Healthshots study of 1,000 people tracking their Navratri fasting and physical activity revealed that 72% experienced weight loss of 1 to 3 kilos, while 80% confirmed both spiritual and physical benefits.

The study underlined the importance of keeping meals light and maintaining hydration to stay healthy during the festivities. Among women, 45% reported greater health benefits as their calorie intake fell by 30–40% thanks to garba. Reduced calorie consumption translated directly into lower body fat and water weight.

Yet, the findings also pointed to a downside. Around 28% said their weight remained unchanged as they indulged heavily in fried snacks like sabudana vada, chips, and sweets after midnight, offsetting the gains from hours of dancing. In fact, late-night fried food was identified as a key factor behind weight gain.

The survey further showed that 65% of people increased their calorie intake by relying on outside food during Navratri. Along with dehydration and irregular eating, this disrupted metabolism, leading to further weight gain.

A separate Gujarat-based study suggested that a night of garba can help burn between 300–600 calories, but the effect depends heavily on the kind of meals consumed. Nearly 55% of young revellers admitted that food choices mattered as much as the hours spent dancing.

Ahmedabad-based doctors stress that a balanced diet and exercise are critical during the festival. They advise revellers to stick to simple, sattvik meals, and to stay hydrated with at least 8–10 glasses of water a day along with coconut water and lemon water to prevent dehydration and maintain energy.