Paryushan/Das Lakshan is a time for extra ahimsa and saiyam. So food is kept very simple, freshly prepared, and taken only during daylight.

Core discipline (both traditions)

• Eat only in the day, before sunset.
• Drink only boiled-and-cooled, filtered water during fixed daytime hours; none at night.
• Freshly cooked food only; no leftovers, no eating out.
• Keep quantity small; many observe ekasana (one-sit) or beasana (two-sit).

What to avoid

• All root foods: potato, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, carrot, beet, radish, yam, etc. (to avoid harm to countless root-life).
• Fermented and microbial-rich foods: alcohol, vinegar, yeast breads, idli/dosa batter, kombucha, etc. Many also avoid curd/yogurt these days.
• Honey (ahimsa concern), mushrooms, and sprouts.
• Processed/packaged foods with unclear ingredients, pickles/chutneys with root items, and heavy sweets/fried items made for indulgence.
• Eating after sunset and unnecessary snacking.

What you may eat (simple, non-violent items)

• Grains: wheat, rice, millets; simple roti, khichdi, lapsi.
• Pulses/legumes: moong, toor, chana dals; thin dals, moong khichdi.
• Milk and ghee (taken simply); plain kadhi (without root spices).
• Nuts and dry fruits (in moderation).
• Non-root spices used minimally: cumin, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, asafoetida (pure), rock salt, etc.

Tradition-specific notes

• Shvetāmbara Paryushan: Many households take a “no-green/hariver” pachchakkhāṇ for the whole festival—meaning they avoid fresh vegetables altogether and live on grains, dals, milk, and very few dry spices. Meals are very plain, before sunset. On Samvatsarī many observe fasting or only boiled water.
• Digambara Das Lakshan: Strong focus on austerities like anshan (fasting), unodari (eating less), vrutti-sankṣhep (limiting variety), ekasana, and only-daytime water. When taking meals, the same avoidances apply (no roots, no fermentation, very simple satvik food).

If your local sangh gives a specific pachchakkhāṇ (vow list), follow that strictly. Simplicity, non-violence to even the tiniest life, and restraint are the guiding principles.