Foods one should not consume as per tithi & month

These are general guidelines based on the notion that what we eat affects our physical health, emotional condition, and spiritual well-being, and they differ depending on area, community, and individual commitment to tradition. As Indians, we are passionate about eating, and we find delight and well-being in fulfilling our appetite with delicious and nutritious foods. We adhere to diet programs that are deeply ingrained in our age-old beliefs and societal standards, with a sizable proportion of the population following these practices wholeheartedly. However, these regulations frequently specify what should be eaten or avoided on specified days, such as fasting, festivals, or lunar phases.

Table of Contents:

1. Fasting Days in Hinduism: What to Eat and Avoid
2. Festival-Specific Foods and Their Cultural Significance
3. Day-Specific Dietary Restrictions in Hinduism
4. Foods to Eat on Purnima and Amavasya for Astrological Wellness
5. Seasonal Diets in the Hindu Panchang: A Month-by-Month Guide
a. Chaitra Mas (March-April): Foods to Cleanse and Energize
b. Vaishakh Mas (April-May): Cooling Foods for Summer
c. Jyeshtha Mas (May-June): Essential Hydration and Digestive Foods
d. Ashadh Mas (June-July): Refreshing Foods for the Monsoon Season
e. Shravan Mas (July-August): Light and Digestible Foods for the Rainy Season
f. Bhadrapada Mas (August-September): Balancing Digestive Health
g. Ashwin Mas (September-October): Nutritious Foods for the Harvest Season
h. Kartika Mas (October): Warming and Healing Foods for the Autumn
i. Agahan Mas (November-December): Maintaining Digestive Health During Cold Weather
j. Paush Mas (December-January): Strengthening Immunity with Nutrient-Rich Foods
k. Magh Mas (January-February): Spicy and Hearty Foods for Winter Health
l. Phalgun Mas (February-March): Foods for Balance and Vitality

Fasting Days in Hinduism: What to Eat and Avoid

Certain days in the Hindu calendar, such as Ekadashi, Pradosh vrat, Navratri, and Shivratri, are designated for fasting. On these days, devotees often avoid specific foods, such as rice on Ekadashis, grains, or non-vegetarian goods, and instead eat fruits, milk, and light vegetarian meals. 

Festival-Specific Foods and Their Cultural Significance

There appear to be several rituals associated with festivals such as Diwali (a variety of sweets, puri, and kheer), Holi (Gujiya), Ganesh Chaturthi (Modak), Basoda (precooked food), and so on, in which special foods are prepared and consumed, typically with religious significance. Sweets made with milk, ghee, and jaggery are popular around this season.
Although we Marwadis and Baniyas prepare dishes with gram flour and lentils on Bach Baras because wheat eating is prohibited on this day. 

Day-Specific Dietary Restrictions in Hinduism

For many of you, this may sound weird. However, we Hindus do eat food that is sacred to our deities. Similarly, when I used to fast on Thursdays to receive Lord Vishnu's blessings, I would only consume yellow food. For example, gram flour, banana, mango, and yellow lentils. Similarly, to impress Lord Hanuman, my father used to avoid eating salt on Tuesdays. Thus, Hindus observe dietary restrictions based on the day of the week, such as eating non-vegetarian meals on Mondays or Thursdays, which are frequently dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu respectively. 

Foods to Eat on Purnima and Amavasya for Astrological Wellness

As we all know, Purnima and Amawasya are significant dates in the Hindu calendar. Do you know that people typically donate white food products on these days to counteract the negative effects of the moon in their horoscopes? Milk, rice, and curd are all consumed. Dietary practices on Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon) may alter depending on locale. 

Seasonal Diets in the Hindu Panchang: A Month-by-Month Guide

Furthermore, Hindu Panchang connects dietary patterns with seasonal variations, encouraging season-specific adaptations. Let's talk about them in detail: For example, during the monsoon season, the emphasis is on eating meals that are easy to digest and improve immunity.

a) Chaitra Mas (March-April): Foods to Cleanse and Energize

Indeed, Chaitra Mas is observed from March to April on the Gregorian 9 calendar. This month, incorporate jaggery into your diet to cleanse your blood and protect yourself from a variety of diseases. As Chaitra progresses, add 4-5 tender neem leaves to your regular regimen. Chewing these leaves functions as a natural purifier, removing toxins and balancing the body, keeping you healthy and energized during this period. 

b) Vaishakh Mas (April-May): Cooling Foods for Summer
As the summer heat comes in the month of Vaishakh, it is critical to adopt cooling remedies such as Bel Patra to stay healthy. One can drink a glass of bel juice with cooling effects. To maintain your body's equilibrium, avoid oil throughout this month, since it might cause discomfort and upset your well-being. 

c) Jyeshtha Mas (May-June): Essential Hydration and Digestive Foods
This month marks the peak of summer in India, thus it is critical to focus on your health. In Jyeshtha, an afternoon sleep can be refreshing. Cooling liquids like buttermilk, lassi, and fresh juices, combined with plenty of water, are your finest allies. Avoid stale, heavy, or spicy foods, as they might cause disease in this searing weather.

d) Ashadh Mas (June-July): Refreshing Foods for the Monsoon Season
During the month of Ashadh, fuel your body with refreshing meals like mangoes, old wheat, sattu, barley, rice, kheer, cucumbers, snake gourd, bitter gourd, and bathua. Embrace these refreshing elements while avoiding hot foods, which can be harmful to your health during this season. 

e) Shravan Mas (July-August): Light and Digestible Foods for the Rainy Season
Include harad in your diet during the month of Shravan to reap health advantages. Avoid green vegetables and minimize your intake of milk. Choose lighter meals like old rice, aged wheat, khichdi, curd, and other easily digestible foods.
To maintain balance and well-being, limit your intake of meals and portion sizes.

f) Bhadrapada Mas (August-September): Balancing Digestive Health
During the rainy season, it's best to focus on easily digestible foods because the digestive system is slower. Choose light foods that are pleasant on the stomach. Consider introducing kada into your regimen this month to improve your digestive health. 

g) Ashwin Mas (September-October): Nutritious Foods for the Harvest Season
This month, enjoy the delicious flavors of milk, ghee, jaggery, coconut, munnaka, cauliflower, and cabbage! While these may be hearty, they're ideal for the season because our digestive fire is at its greatest, making it simpler to appreciate and absorb these nutritious foods.

h) Kartika Mas (October): Warming and Healing Foods for the Autumn
In Kartik mas, enjoy the warmth of hot milk, jaggery, ghee, and radish.For better health, consume Haldi milk, also known as Golden milk. Avoid cold beverages such as buttermilk, lassi, cold curd, and fruit juices because they can be harmful to your health. Enjoy the warmth and keep your digestive system happy!

i) Agahan Mas (November-December): Maintaining Digestive Health During Cold Weather
In aghan mas, also known as margashirsha, it is advisable to avoid both cold and extremely hot foods and beverages. Cold products, such as buttermilk, lassi, cold curd, and chilled juices, might disrupt digestion and impair your health.
Similarly, very hot foods and beverages can be irritating. Instead, consume meals and beverages that are pleasantly warm, such as hot milk, ghee, jaggery, and radish, to maintain balance and assist your digestive system all month.

j) Paush Mas (December-January): Strengthening Immunity with Nutrient-Rich Foods
During this season, supplement your diet with milk, khoya and khoya-based goods, gaund ke ladoo, jaggery, sesame, ghee, potato, and amla. These healthy foods will improve your overall health and vitality. Avoid cold, old, coarse, bitter, and dry foods because they are less nutritious and may disrupt your health.

k) Magh Mas (January-February): Spicy and Hearty Foods for Winter Health
This month, it is completely acceptable to eat spicy and substantial cuisine. Incorporate ghee, freshly prepared foods, and gum-based laddus to support your health and well being.
Accept these nutritional options to keep balanced and energized.

 I) Phalgun Mas (February-March): Foods for Balance and Vitality
This month, make jaggery a mainstay in your diet. To improve your overall well-being, establish a regimen of yoga and a morning bath. To ensure good health, avoid consuming grams.Avoid gram to preserve intestinal balance and improve your health throughout the season.