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6 Min
12/02/2026
Mahashivratri 2026 is among the early-year Hindu festivals, celebrated mostly by devotees of Lord Shiva by observing a fast, all-night vigil (jagran), religious chanting, and holy ceremonies like abhishek. The fasting restricts certain meals, in many cases restricting permissible items to just fruits and water. However, many people consume one simple and sattvik meal during the day. Diabetics, though, are often used to consuming short meals throughout the day to prevent their blood sugar levels from spiking. Can they still fast? Yes, with this guide on diabetic vrat foods.
Mahashivratri, which literally translates to the "Great Night of Shiva," is an annual religious festival, and one of the most revered festivals, with thousands of devotees, if not millions, celebrating the day. One of the core elements of the celebration is observing a fast. The fast is designed as a spiritual practice that helps purify the body and mind, aiding in detoxification and fostering self-discipline. It also mirrors the penance of Goddess Parvati, while doubling up as a form of self-control, helping to overcome greed and attachment. While it sounds strict, the Mahashivratri fast is something even those with diabetes can observe by focusing on fibre-rich, low-GI foods to manage blood sugar, prioritising hydration, and avoiding fried snacks and sugary items. Here are the top vrat-friendly foods for diabetics:
Arguably one of the most popular vrat foods, roasted makahans are an excellent low-calorie, nutrient-dense snack, rich in calcium and magnesium. If you’re limiting salt consumption to only one meal a day, you can consume unsalted but roasted makhanas. For a fun twist, add roasted nuts to the mix and make it a vrat-friendly trail mix. You can even opt for makhana kheer with a sugar substitute if you crave something sweet.
Kuttu is a vrat-friendly, gluten-free flour that can be used to make rotis, chillas, or even pakoras, though fried items should be avoided if you’re diabetic. You can add grated vegetables like cucumber or bottle gourd into the kuttu flour and make a nutrient-dense flatbread that sustains you for longer. Enjoy the flatbread with plain yoghurt and unsweetened but flavoured milk for a complete meal that satisfies your craving without spiking your sugar levels. It’s important to note that kuttu is preferred over singhara flour as a diabetic vrat food because it contains more fibre and protein, but both should be consumed in controlled portions.
Sweet potato is a nutritious carbohydrate source, and you get the best quality during winter, which is the season of sweet potato. Shakarkandi can be eaten boiled, dry roasted on a pan, and lightly seasoned with rock salt and lemon, or even in a low-oil cutlet form.
Dairy products like fresh curd, raita, chaach and milk have long been associated with fasting because they provide protein and aid digestion. You can experiment with flavours and consume kesar-infused milk or vegetable raita (using those vegetables that are permissible when fasting).
Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds are excellent for diabetic vrat food, as they are rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats, which help stabilise blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. Consuming a small (handful) of unsalted nuts can prevent sugar spikes and provide sustained energy during fasting.
Fruits like green apples, guava, papaya, and jamun are ideal. Avoid fruits with high sugar content, like ripe bananas. One can also opt for bottle gourd or pumpkin. These can be cooked as a dry sabzi or curry with rock salt, cooked into vegetable soup, or turned into a raita.
Important: One must remember that even low-glycemic fasting foods like kuttu, makhana, and sweet potato can raise blood sugar if eaten in large quantities. Portion control matters more than food category.
Fasting does not have to be an arduous task. It’s meant to help you focus your senses and teach you self-discipline, but you don’t have to sacrifice your health when observing a fast. As a diabetic, it’s important to avoid long hours of fasting. Rather, stick to consuming high-fibre snacks and frequent meals during the day, regularly monitor your glucose, and ensure you don’t skip on hydration. It’s Mahashivratri; you deserve to celebrate the festival the way you want to. Just remember these handy tips to avoid health concerns.
