Can I eat vada during fasting?: A Guide to Vrat-Friendly Nutrition

November 3, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Hindu tradition, certain fasting periods like Navratri and Ekadashi involve specific dietary restrictions, with a significant number of people abstaining from grains. This practice often leads many to wonder: can I eat vada during fasting? The answer depends heavily on the type of vada and its ingredients.

Quick Summary

Determining if vada is suitable for fasting depends on its ingredients and preparation. This guide outlines which varieties, like sabudana vada, are typically allowed during vrat and explores healthier non-fried methods and alternatives for a balanced diet.

Key Points

Sabudana Vada is Vrat-Friendly: Made from tapioca pearls, potatoes, and peanuts, this is a popular and energy-boosting option for fasting.
Traditional Vadas are Prohibited: Medu vada (urad dal) and batata vada (besan batter) are not suitable for many fasts because they contain grains or legumes that are restricted.
Opt for Healthier Cooking Methods: To reduce fat and calories, choose air-frying, shallow-frying, or cooking in an appe pan instead of deep-frying.
Use Vrat-Permitted Flours: For batter, use flours like rajgira (amaranth) or singhara (water chestnut) to create fasting-compliant snacks.
Prioritize a Balanced Diet: Pair vadas with yogurt, fruits, or vegetables to ensure a well-rounded meal with fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.
Be Mindful of Salt: During fasting, use rock salt (sendha namak) instead of regular table salt, as it is considered purer for religious observance.

Vada Variations: What is Permissible During Vrat?

Not all vadas are created equal, especially when it comes to fasting. The key lies in the ingredients used. Traditional, everyday vadas often contain lentils or grains prohibited during strict fasts, but special 'farali' or fasting-specific versions are widely consumed.

Sabudana Vada

This is perhaps the most popular fasting-friendly vada, especially during Navratri and Mahashivratri. It is made from a dough of soaked tapioca pearls (sabudana), mashed potatoes, and roasted peanuts. Seasoned with rock salt (sendha namak), green chilies, and cumin, this combination provides a quick energy boost from the carbohydrates in sabudana and potatoes, while the peanuts add protein and healthy fats, keeping you full for longer.

Medu Vada

Typically, medu vada is not suitable for fasting because its main ingredient is urad dal (black gram), a legume that is restricted during most Hindu fasts, particularly Ekadashi. However, some regional variations may exist, and it is crucial to check the specific fasting rules being followed.

Batata Vada

In its traditional form, batata vada is made with a potato filling coated in a gram flour (besan) batter, which is not permitted during vrat. The good news is that a vrat-friendly version, known as farali batata vada, can be prepared using permitted flours such as rajgira (amaranth) atta, singhara (water chestnut) atta, or sabudana atta for the coating.

Other Fasting-Friendly Vadas

Samak ke Vada: Made from barnyard millet flour (samak ke chawal or moraiyo), these vadas offer a nutritious, high-fiber alternative to sabudana.
Kuttu ke Vada: Vadas made with buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta) are also permissible during fasts and are known for their high protein and fiber content.

Comparing Fasting vs. Non-Fasting Vada Ingredients

This table outlines the key differences between ingredients used in typical vadas and those suitable for a fasting diet.


Feature	Non-Fasting Vada (e.g., Medu Vada)	Fasting Vada (e.g., Sabudana Vada)
Main Ingredient	Urad dal (black gram), often combined with rice flour.	Sabudana (tapioca pearls), millets (samak), or permitted flours.
Salt Type	Regular table salt.	Rock salt (sendha namak).
Additional Flavorings	Onions, garlic, specific herbs, and spices.	Green chilies, ginger, cumin, cilantro, and roasted peanuts.
Suitability for Vrat	Generally not suitable.	Commonly allowed during fasts like Navratri and Ekadashi.

Embracing Healthier Preparation Methods

While a vrat-friendly vada's ingredients might be compliant with fasting rules, deep-frying can increase its calorie and fat content significantly. Nutrition experts often advise reducing the consumption of deep-fried foods during fasting, as they can cause indigestion and bloating. Fortunately, several healthier methods can be used to prepare vada:

Air-frying: Provides a crispy texture with little to no oil.
Shallow-frying: Uses less oil than deep-frying and is a simple switch.
Appe Pan: This pan allows for making small, round, non-fried or low-oil vadas that are crispy and soft.

Tips for a Balanced Fasting Plate

Fasting is an opportunity to focus on pure, easily digestible foods. To ensure your fasting diet remains balanced and nutritious, consider these tips:

Include Fiber: Combine vadas with fibrous foods like fruit salad or a side of vegetables.
Add Protein: Pair vadas with a bowl of cooling yogurt or a vrat-friendly chutney to balance the meal.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and other hydrating drinks like fruit juices or buttermilk.
Limit Indulgence: While fasting recipes can be delicious, moderation is key. A balanced plate with a mix of different foods is better than overindulging in any one item, fried or otherwise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the question of "can I eat vada during fasting?" has a nuanced answer. While traditional lentil-based vadas are typically off-limits, specialized vrat-friendly versions made with permitted ingredients like sabudana, millets, or specific flours are widely accepted. For a healthier approach, opt for air-fried or shallow-fried preparations and ensure your diet remains balanced with a variety of fibrous and protein-rich foods. By making informed choices, you can honor your fasting tradition while maintaining a nutritious and wholesome diet.

For more healthy fasting options, you can explore resources like NDTV Food.

Frequently Asked Questions

During Navratri, you can eat sabudana vada, which is made with tapioca pearls, mashed potatoes, and roasted peanuts, as these ingredients are typically allowed during the fast.

No, traditional medu vada is generally not allowed during Ekadashi fasting because it is made from urad dal (black gram), a legume that is restricted during the observance.

A vada is fasting-friendly if it is made with permitted ingredients like sabudana, potatoes, peanuts, specific millets (e.g., samak), and rock salt instead of regular grains, legumes, onion, or garlic.

While the ingredients may be permissible, many health experts advise against deep-frying during fasting due to the high fat content and potential digestive issues. Healthier methods like air-frying or shallow-frying are recommended.

Healthier alternatives include air-fried sabudana vada, baked sweet potato wedges, kuttu flour cheelas, or a fruit salad with yogurt.

No, overindulgence in fried food during fasting is generally not considered healthy. It can cause indigestion, bloating, and may counteract the cleansing purpose of fasting.

You can make vada less oily by using healthier cooking methods such as air-frying, shallow-frying in an appe pan, or baking them in the oven.