Cure and Care-Magazine

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
THIS RAMADAN
RAMADAN, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is
a period of retrospection, charity and above all a commitment
to the religious responsibilities. The most
challenging task in this period is that of ‘fasting’. Ramadan,
entails the rigors of an all-day fast, with soaring temperatures
which can take a toll on your health. Team Cure & Care
gets you a few expert advices and tips from nutritionists on
healthy lifestyle this Ramadan.
Fasting for Ramadan, can in fact be the ideal time to cut back
on refined foods and bad habits like smoking, but unfortunately
most people aren’t quick to grab this opportunity. On
the contrary, people tend to put on weight during Ramadan
as a result of overeating and the fact that the typical iftar meal
includes a plethora of heavy, fatty and high calorie foods, just
adds up the number on your weighing scale. Many seem to
be of the attitude that they “deserve” an excessively indulgent
meal as a reward after having the patience to fast all day. This
is not only extremely detrimental to your health, but it also
kind of defies the point of fasting to enforce self-discipline
and self-control.
Nutritionists make us aware that fasting, gives the digestive system
a chance to rest and let the body use its fat reserves for energy,
however, it can also lead to dizziness and fatigue. Many
nutritional experts claim that consuming sugary sweets and
meals loaded with fats and carbohydrates are critical especially
after a long fasting period. It could slow down your metabolism;
also over-eating is a complete ‘NO’. Having a balanced diet is
of utmost importance as it helps you gain good health, sustains
an active life and helps you attain 100% of the benefits that the
month of Ramadan brings.
“Ramadan is a Holy month of devotion, reflection and selfcontrol
for Muslims worldwide. As a medical doctor, my annual
advice to those fasting is to make sure to consume a balanced
diet, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest” says Dr. Issam
Badaoui, Medical Director at International SOS.
This Ramadan, it could be a perfect opportunity for you to
make a small yet a lasting change and adapt a healthier lifestyle.
Here are some simple guidelines to help you have a HAPPY ‘N’
HEALTHY Ramadan:
DO
• BREAK YOUR FAST WITH SOMETHING NUTRI-
TIOUS
After fasting all day long, you should at least make sure you
break your fast with something healthy and nutrient dense
foods like dates, fresh juice or laban. It is extremely common
to break a fast with dates, as per the Islamic tradition.
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