Ahoi Ashtami: Nutritionist Shares A Guideline On Who Should Not Fast

After Karwa Chauth, many women in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have started preparing for Ahoi Ashtami and Diwali fast. Ahoi Ashtami fast is quite similar to Karwa Chauth, only in this, a mother prays for the longevity of her kids. Many refrain from eating or drinking before sunrise. 

In medical terms, fasting refers to the practice of not eating or drinking for a long time. Not eating overnight is also considered fasting, and long-term fasting can have side effects on your health. 

We spoke to Kalpana Gupta, a clinical nutritionist at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, to understand who should refrain from fasting so that they can avoid harming themselves.

Pregnant Women And Lactating Mothers Should Not Fast

According to the expert, pregnant women and lactating mothers should refrain from fasting. They need a high-protein and calorie diet to ensure they stay in the prime of their health and support the growth of their baby. 

Skipping meals can make them deficient in nutrients, which is neither good for an unborn nor a newborn baby. Therefore, if you are planning to fast for the upcoming occasions, you should consult your healthcare expert.

People Who Had Surgery Should Skip Fasting

The nutritionist added that if you have had surgery recently, your dietary requirements might be quite high. Therefore, if you are planning to fast on Ahoi Ashtami or Diwali, you should consult your doctor.

You have to eat 2-3 meals every day so that your body does not become deficient in essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. You might also be on high-dose medicines, which you cannot take on an empty stomach. 

Diabetic Patient Should Not Fast

The nutritionist suggested people with diabetes skip fasting. Diabetic patients require small meals at frequent intervals so that they can maintain their glucose levels. 

She added that prolonged fasting or skipping meals can lead to hypoglycemia. In this case, the blood sugar levels go below the standard range. 

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Women With Critical Medical Condition Should Not Fast

Dr Gupta said that women battling with critical medical conditions should not fast at all. She said, “Critical medical conditions like during cancer (Is Breast Cancer Genetic?) therapy, post-organ transplant, kidney treatment, etc. require a patient to continue eating to keep up with their draining treatment and medication.”

The nutritionist said that in such cases, a patient needs all the energy they can get to keep the body healthy. They require their meals to offer an adequate supply of nutrition, protein and calories. Therefore, they cannot afford to skip any meals. 

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Elderly Women Should Skip Fasting

The expert advised elderly women to skip fasting. She added that in old age, a person eats less because they experience a loss of appetite. They often experience gastric and denture issues, which further decrease their appetite.

To overcome these health issues, one needs to eat frequently. If you observe fast, you are bound to experience these issues and feel sick during the festive season. 

If you are thinking about fasting, and you belong to any of the aforementioned categories, you should speak to your healthcare expert. They can guide you better and ensure that your health is not affected.