Answer

During Paryushan, it is best to keep food as simple, fresh, vegetarian, and spiritually mindful as possible. Packaged foods are generally avoided by many Jains because they may contain unsuitable ingredients, preservatives, or may not follow Paryushan discipline.

Commonly acceptable items, depending on your family tradition and level of observance, may include:

• Milk – if your tradition permits dairy during Paryushan.
• Fresh fruits – commonly taken by many people, especially during lighter diets or fasting.
• Dry fruits – such as almonds, cashews, raisins, dates, figs, etc., if permitted.
• Plain makhana – if roasted/prepared properly and acceptable in your tradition.
• Homemade snacks – made fresh with permitted ingredients.
• Plain khakhra or dry snacks – only if made according to Jain rules and without prohibited ingredients.

Regarding biscuits, one should be very careful. Many packaged biscuits contain ingredients like:

• Egg or egg-derived ingredients
• Gelatin
• Yeast or raising agents
• Onion/garlic flavoring
• Preservatives or additives
• Old or stale ingredients

So, packaged biscuits are usually not preferred during Paryushan unless they are clearly Jain-friendly and accepted by your household or guru tradition.

Suggested Simple Items

Depending on what you are observing, you may consider:

• Fresh fruits: banana, apple, chikoo, papaya, pomegranate, grapes, orange, etc.
• Milk-based items: milk, curd, buttermilk, paneer — only if permitted in your tradition.
• Dry fruits: almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, raisins, dates.
• Simple grains: roti, rice, dal, khichdi — if you are not fasting and your rules allow cooked food.
• Jain snacks: homemade sev, chevdo, khakhra, mathiya — only if prepared with Jain ingredients and within proper time rules.
• Boiled water: commonly followed in many Jain households during Paryushan.

Important Things to Avoid

During Paryushan, Jains generally avoid:

• Onion, garlic, potato, carrot, beetroot and other root vegetables
• Eggs and non-vegetarian ingredients
• Fermented foods
• Alcohol
• Honey
• Foods with unknown ingredients
• Food prepared after sunset or eaten at night, if following stricter discipline
• Packaged items with doubtful ingredients

Spiritual Understanding

Paryushan is not only about “what we can eat.” It is mainly about:

• Ahimsa – reducing harm to living beings
• Sanyam – self-control
• Tapasya – austerity
• Inner purification
• Forgiveness and humility

So, the simpler the food, the better it supports the spirit of Paryushan.

Takeaway

You can generally have milk, fruits, dry fruits, and simple homemade Jain food, if allowed by your tradition. Packaged biscuits and snacks should be avoided unless their ingredients are fully known and accepted as Jain-friendly. During Paryushan, choosing fresh, simple, and sattvik food is the safest and most spiritually appropriate approach.