Sargi is an important part of the Karwa Chauth festival, in which married ladies keep a fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the husband's good health and long life. Not even a drop of water is consumed in the entire day. However, there is a Sargi Thali that's consumed at dawn and includes food that helps sustain the day. This is a Punjabi tradition and the 'thali' is prepared by the mothers-in-law and given to their daughter-in-law. People include several kinds of foods, but there are five basic foods that make the Sargi Thali complete. Take a look.
Fresh Fruits
The fruits add that much importance to the Sargi Thali because of their high water content as well as the natural sugars that keep a human's body hydrated and going throughout the day. They are light, easy to digest, and rich in all those essential vitamins and minerals. The fruits include some of the most common apples, bananas, pomegranates, oranges, as they provide instant energy without weighing you down.Bananas, especially, owing to their potassium content, help prevent dehydration. Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, and in apples, you get fiber that helps digest well and keeps you full for a longer time.
Dry Fruits
Dry fruits, which include almonds, cashews, walnuts, and raisins, are also essential parts of Sargi Thali. The nutrient-packed crackers are so rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber that one would surely stay energetic all day long. The dry fruits have essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium, which counteract fatigue and will keep one hale and hearty all the time. Almonds are rich in vitamin E and antioxidants to stimulate immunity, walnuts include omega-3 fatty acids, and raisins provide natural sugars for instant energy. All these ensure that the fasting woman is not too hungry throughout the day.
Seviyan
Vermicelli Kheer, or as it is commonly known, Seviyan, is a light and sweet dish comprising boiled vermicelli noodles made in milk with an infusion of cardamom, nuts, and sometimes saffron. The dish happens to greatly highlight the Sargi Thali, as it contains carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in a very balanced proportion. Milk is the best source of calcium and protein for this kheer, which keeps the energy levels intact the entire day while fasting. The sweetness of the kheer helps in gently giving a sugar boost; it is easy on the stomach, so a comforting meal to have when fasting first thing in the morning.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is hydrating in itself, replenishing much-needed electrolytes lost while fasting. It naturally carries high levels of potassium, sodium, and magnesium, and it's an excellent hydrator, especially during the day when women are advised not to drink water until they break their fast. Having Sargi Thali, coconut water maintains the energy levels of the person and prevents dehydration, fatigue, and headaches. Moreover, its light and refreshing taste makes it easy to drink in the early mornings, thus giving a natural and healthy start to the fast.
Paratha or Poori
What has not been an exception is to have it accompanied by a filling carbohydrate dish like paratha (a flatbread made from whole wheat) or poori (a deep-fried bread). Both these parathas and pooris provide complex carbohydrates, which release energy slowly in the day and keep women feeling full for longer periods.
The parathas are full of complete grains, offering all the nutrients and fibres, while fats, in the baking of such breads, help in energy maintenance throughout the day. They make a wholesome meal when taken with yogurt or curd because they combine carbs, proteins, and healthy fats, which prevent hunger during the fast period.
The Sargi Thali might look like another normal traditional meal, but it happens to be, in actual fact, a judicious selection of food that provides all the nourishment, hydration, and energy the need for women to endure throughout the long day while fasting for Karwa Chauth. Fresh fruits, dry fruits, vermicelli kheer, and coconut water, along with paratha or poori, are some of the resultant constituents of this meal and serve their part in keeping the body full, hydrated, and energized. All these food items are meant to keep the lady observing the fast without any weakness or fatigue, making the Sargi Thali an indispensable and thoughtful part of Karwa Chauth.
(Thumb image courtesy: iStock)
Fresh Fruits
The fruits add that much importance to the Sargi Thali because of their high water content as well as the natural sugars that keep a human's body hydrated and going throughout the day. They are light, easy to digest, and rich in all those essential vitamins and minerals. The fruits include some of the most common apples, bananas, pomegranates, oranges, as they provide instant energy without weighing you down.Bananas, especially, owing to their potassium content, help prevent dehydration. Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, and in apples, you get fiber that helps digest well and keeps you full for a longer time.
Dry Fruits
Dry fruits, which include almonds, cashews, walnuts, and raisins, are also essential parts of Sargi Thali. The nutrient-packed crackers are so rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber that one would surely stay energetic all day long. The dry fruits have essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium, which counteract fatigue and will keep one hale and hearty all the time. Almonds are rich in vitamin E and antioxidants to stimulate immunity, walnuts include omega-3 fatty acids, and raisins provide natural sugars for instant energy. All these ensure that the fasting woman is not too hungry throughout the day.
Seviyan
Vermicelli Kheer, or as it is commonly known, Seviyan, is a light and sweet dish comprising boiled vermicelli noodles made in milk with an infusion of cardamom, nuts, and sometimes saffron. The dish happens to greatly highlight the Sargi Thali, as it contains carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in a very balanced proportion. Milk is the best source of calcium and protein for this kheer, which keeps the energy levels intact the entire day while fasting. The sweetness of the kheer helps in gently giving a sugar boost; it is easy on the stomach, so a comforting meal to have when fasting first thing in the morning.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is hydrating in itself, replenishing much-needed electrolytes lost while fasting. It naturally carries high levels of potassium, sodium, and magnesium, and it's an excellent hydrator, especially during the day when women are advised not to drink water until they break their fast. Having Sargi Thali, coconut water maintains the energy levels of the person and prevents dehydration, fatigue, and headaches. Moreover, its light and refreshing taste makes it easy to drink in the early mornings, thus giving a natural and healthy start to the fast.
Paratha or Poori
What has not been an exception is to have it accompanied by a filling carbohydrate dish like paratha (a flatbread made from whole wheat) or poori (a deep-fried bread). Both these parathas and pooris provide complex carbohydrates, which release energy slowly in the day and keep women feeling full for longer periods.
The parathas are full of complete grains, offering all the nutrients and fibres, while fats, in the baking of such breads, help in energy maintenance throughout the day. They make a wholesome meal when taken with yogurt or curd because they combine carbs, proteins, and healthy fats, which prevent hunger during the fast period.
The Sargi Thali might look like another normal traditional meal, but it happens to be, in actual fact, a judicious selection of food that provides all the nourishment, hydration, and energy the need for women to endure throughout the long day while fasting for Karwa Chauth. Fresh fruits, dry fruits, vermicelli kheer, and coconut water, along with paratha or poori, are some of the resultant constituents of this meal and serve their part in keeping the body full, hydrated, and energized. All these food items are meant to keep the lady observing the fast without any weakness or fatigue, making the Sargi Thali an indispensable and thoughtful part of Karwa Chauth.
(Thumb image courtesy: iStock)
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