Madeena
Moderator
Number of posts : 19
Reputation : 0
Registration date : 2007-06-19
 |  Subject: Health Advice for Ramadan Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:39 pm | |
| Health Advice for Ramadan Beware of Poor Nutritional Habits!In order to fulfill the fasting obligation without suffering any health problems, a number of unwise dietary habits need to be avoided.For those fasting during Ramadan, it is of great importance to pay close attention to what they eat during the two main meals: before sunrise (sahur) and after sunset (iftar). They also need to be carefully aware of changes that take place in the body when fasting throughout the day. Since eating nothing for a long hours increases the appetite and one's satiation threshold, the typical result is the consumption of more food--and more quickly--than normal. Therefore, believers should avoid sudden and excessive food consumption, especially during the evening meal.Increased consumption of such foodstuffs as meat, bread, rice, pasta, baked goods, desserts and pastries is common during Ramadan, while the consumption of fruit and vegetables decreases. However, that the levels of protein, vitamins and minerals that the body requires for a healthy, energetic life do not alter during Ramadan. In addition, behavior such as overeating, eating too wide a range of foods too quickly, failure to get up for the morning meal and eating too much before sunrise, may lead to ulcers, and other disorders, even abdominal bleeding. For these and other similar reasons, a number of basic points need to be borne in mind in order to fast in a healthy manner and not to tire the body... What Health Issues need to be Considered When Fasting?Those who fast during Ramadan need to be careful to drink enough water and must pay attention to their sleep patterns. Insufficient sleep can lead to headaches and low blood pressure.- Since metabolism falls rapidly during Ramadan's daylong fasting, it is easy to gain weight. Therefore, high-calorie, rich foods should be avoided.- In the evenings, sudden consumption of large quantities of food may lead to indigestion.- To avoid digestive problems during Ramadan, care should be taken to consume dried fruits, particularly apricots.- Since fasting without eating an early-morning meal prolongs the length of time one goes without food, metabolism falls quickly. Fatigue and headaches may occur.- Whether or not you get up early for the morning meal, eat slowly, chew your food well, and drink enough water. In the evening, avoiding eating to complete fullness will improve the quality of your sleep. Avoid rich, fatty and spicy foods at both meals.- Since when fasting, the body will be deprived of water for long periods, it is important to drink often between evening and morning.- If you become very thirsty while fasting, be careful to avoid salty foods such as pickles and peanuts at your morning meal.- Blood sugar levels drop while fasting. However, they rise very fast when food is consumed suddenly in the evening. If you do not get up before sunrise to eat, your blood-sugar levels begin to fall in the very early hours of the day and soon reach even lower levels. After the evening meal, therefore, you should follow the principle of eating little and often.- During Ramadan, be careful to avoid inactivity. You can have a walk two hours after the evening meal, as long as it is not too strenuous.- On an empty stomach, you should also avoid walking, jogging or putting in excessive effort in the gym in order to burn off excess food intake. What Should We Eat when Fasting?-The ideal recommended evening meal is to begin eating slowly and moderately at sunset, followed by a main course a few hours later.- Begin with water, soup and light foods.- Do not eat too much or too quickly.- The main course should be eaten a few hours after sunset. Give priority to fruit and vegetables, and take care to consume yoghurt, buttermilk (diluted yoghurt) or milk.- Preference should be given to vegetables such as fresh green beans, spinach, white cabbage, as well as small quantities of fat-free fish, low-fat chicken and dried beans and seeds.- Traditional desserts at the evening meal should be eaten two hours afterwards. Prefer milky puddings to syrupy desserts.- In the morning, avoid eating spicy, fatty, or salty foods such as pickles that will make you feel thirsty during the day, Please have me in your prayers. Wasalam Madeena | |
|
