Can we eat poha chivda in fast? A nutritional breakdown and guide

November 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to traditional fasting texts like those for Ekadashi, grains are strictly not allowed, which means regular poha chivda is typically prohibited because it is made from flattened rice. However, depending on the specific type of fast and ingredients used, adaptations can be made to create a permissible version, addressing the question, Can we eat poha chivda in fast?

Quick Summary

This nutritional guide clarifies the rules surrounding poha chivda consumption during fasts, explaining how ingredients in regular recipes often violate traditional dietary restrictions. It offers a detailed look at how to create fasting-compliant versions using permissible ingredients and provides suitable alternatives for a delicious, mindful fast.

Key Points

Regular poha chivda is typically prohibited: Because poha is made from flattened rice, it is a grain and is generally restricted during fasts like Ekadashi and Navratri.
Check ingredients for fast-compliance: Normal poha chivda recipes often contain regular salt, mustard seeds, and other spices that are not permitted in strict fasts.
Fasting-friendly versions (Farali Chivda) are possible: A compliant chivda can be prepared by substituting the rice flakes with items like roasted makhanas (fox nuts) or sabudana.
Use rock salt (Sendha Namak): Most fasts require using sendha namak instead of regular table salt for seasoning.
Consider roasting instead of frying: Opting to dry roast ingredients like makhanas, nuts, and spices minimizes oil, aligning with a lighter fasting diet.
Nuts and dry fruits are excellent additions: Incorporating nuts and dry fruits provides protein, healthy fats, and sustained energy during a fast.
Mindful portion control is crucial: Even with a healthy, farali recipe, moderation is key due to the energy density of nuts and other ingredients.

Understanding the Fasting Rules

Fasting, or upvas, involves specific dietary restrictions that vary depending on the religious occasion and tradition. In many Hindu fasts, particularly during events like Navratri or Ekadashi, certain foods are typically avoided to observe purity and simplify the diet. Grains such as wheat, lentils, and rice are usually prohibited, as they are considered to be 'tamasic' or heavy for digestion during these periods. Since poha is made from flattened rice, a grain, the conventional version of poha chivda is generally not suitable for strict fasts. The oil used for deep-frying and seasonings like regular table salt are also often restricted, requiring alternatives like sendha namak (rock salt).

The Ingredients That Break the Fast

Regular poha chivda is a crunchy, flavorful snack often made with a variety of ingredients that render it non-compliant for a traditional fast. Understanding which components are not permissible is the first step toward creating a fasting-friendly version.

Non-Permissible Poha Chivda Ingredients

Regular Poha (Flattened Rice): The most critical non-permissible item for grain-restricted fasts.
Regular Salt: Many fasts mandate the use of sendha namak (rock salt) instead of common salt.
Mustard Seeds and Cumin: In some strict fasts, certain spices and seeds are also avoided.
Turmeric and Asafoetida: Some conservative traditions may restrict these spices.
Excessive Oil: Deep-frying ingredients adds significant fat and calories, often counter to the light and sattvic nature of fasting food.

Creating a Fasting-Friendly (Farali) Chivda

To enjoy a chivda-like snack during a fast, the trick is to replace the traditional ingredients with permissible alternatives. This is often called farali chivda.

Recipe for a Farali Chivda

Select a Base: Instead of rice poha, use roasted makhanas (fox nuts), sabudana (sago), or potato crisps. Makhanas are particularly popular as they are light and nutritious.
Choose Your Nuts: Roast nuts like peanuts, cashews, and almonds in a small amount of ghee or oil. These provide healthy fats and protein, keeping you satiated.
Use Permissible Spices: Temper the nuts and leaves with ghee, green chilies, and curry leaves.
Add Flavor: Instead of regular salt, season with sendha namak and a pinch of black pepper powder. For a touch of sweetness, some recipes add a small amount of powdered sugar or dried cranberries.
Combine Everything: Mix the roasted base (e.g., makhanas), nuts, and seasoned tempering together gently. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.

Comparison: Regular vs. Fasting-Friendly Chivda


Feature	Regular Poha Chivda	Fasting-Friendly (Farali) Chivda
Base Ingredient	Flattened rice (poha)	Roasted makhanas, sabudana, or potato crisps
Salt	Regular table salt	Sendha namak (rock salt)
Preparation	Often deep-fried or pan-roasted	Typically roasted or shallow-fried
Key Spices	Mustard seeds, cumin, regular salt, chili powder	Sendha namak, green chilies, curry leaves, black pepper
Added Flavor	Sugar, sometimes chaat masala	A pinch of powdered sugar or dried fruits
Compliance	Not suitable for grain-restricted fasts	Specially adapted for fasts like Navratri and Ekadashi

Nutritional Considerations for a Fasting Diet

During a fast, the nutritional goal is often to sustain energy and nourishment with permitted foods. While poha is nutritious, with carbohydrates and iron, a fasting diet needs to acquire these nutrients from other sources.

Benefits of Poha and Fasting Alternatives

Energy: Both poha and fast-friendly alternatives like sabudana or potatoes provide ample carbohydrates for energy.
Iron: While poha is a source of iron, iron intake during a fast can be supplemented with nuts and dried fruits.
Digestibility: Poha is easy to digest, and similarly, roasted makhanas and light farali chivda recipes are gentle on the digestive system.
Protein: Nuts like peanuts, cashews, and almonds in both regular and farali chivda boost protein content.

Conclusion: Navigating Poha Chivda in Fasting

In conclusion, the decision of whether Can we eat poha chivda in fast? depends entirely on the type of fast being observed and the specific ingredients used. Regular poha chivda, made from rice flakes and regular salt, is not suitable for traditional grain-restricted fasts like Ekadashi or Navratri. However, by preparing a farali version with permitted substitutes like roasted makhanas or sabudana, along with rock salt and fasting-compliant seasonings, one can still enjoy a crunchy, delicious snack. This mindful approach respects religious traditions while still providing a satisfying and nutritious option to curb hunger during a fast.

Recommended Fasting Snacks

Roasted Makhana: Light and crunchy, roasted with ghee and rock salt.
Dry Fruits and Nuts: A mix of almonds, cashews, and walnuts for energy.
Fruit Chaat: A combination of fruits with rock salt and chaat masala.
Sabudana Khichdi: A staple fasting meal made with sago, potatoes, peanuts, and rock salt.
Sweet Potatoes: Rich in fiber and vitamins, they can be boiled and spiced with rock salt.

Check out traditional farali recipes for inspiration and detailed instructions on preparing these dishes during your fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary reason is that poha is made from flattened rice, a grain. Many traditional fasts, such as Ekadashi and Navratri, prohibit the consumption of grains.

If you are observing a less strict or intermittent fast, you might be able to incorporate poha chivda, but you should still be mindful of the ingredients. For a religious fast, it is best to adhere to the traditional rules.

Farali chivda is a version of chivda specifically made for consumption during fasts. It uses fasting-compliant ingredients like roasted makhanas, sabudana, or potato crisps instead of rice poha and is seasoned with rock salt.

For most fasts, only rock salt, known as sendha namak, is permitted. Regular table salt is not allowed.

While some ingredients may be fried in small amounts of ghee, many traditions encourage lighter preparation methods like dry roasting to avoid excessive oil and keep the food simple.

Good alternatives include roasted makhanas with rock salt, a mix of dry fruits and nuts, fruit chaat, or sabudana khichdi.

In some fasts, certain vegetables like potatoes and carrots are allowed. You should check the specific rules of your fast to determine which vegetables are permissible before adding them.