The source describes Sendha Namak in the Nahay Khay meal and the later removal of salt from its account of preparations. It places sweet prasad within a Sattvic framework rather than providing a nutritional comparison.
The Sattvic Diet: Why Common Salt is Prohibited
During the Chhath Puja fasting cycle, everyday iodized table salt is strictly prohibited in the preparation of the Vrati's meals.
The Role of Sendha Namak (Rock Salt)
On the first day (Nahay Khay), the Vrati eats a simple meal of Kaddu Bhaat. This meal is prepared using Sendha Namak (Rock Salt) instead of sea salt or manufactured table salt. Sendha Namak is considered the purest form of salt in Ayurveda, unprocessed and free from chemical refining.
After the Nahay Khay meal, salt is entirely eliminated. The Prasad (like Thekua and Rasiya) is sweet, made only with pure jaggery, wheat, and rice, to maintain the cooling, non-stimulating (Sattvic) nature required to endure the 36-hour fast.