Health Benefits of healthy eating in Ramadan
It is important to maintain health and follow a nutritious healthy eating in Ramadan eating habits during Ramadan. We can accomplish that through these tips:
Never skip “Suhoor”: Just as breakfast is the most important meal of the day, ‘Suhour’ is equally important during Ramadan. It helps your body stay hydrated and fuelled up on energy and nutrients until your next meal at iftar. It also helps you avoid overeating when you break your fast at sunset. A well-balanced meal at ‘Suhoor‘ should contain complex carbohydrates, high fiber & protein rich foods. Ramadan menu at Lina’s & Dina’s diet center provides this important meal with nutritious ingredients.
Aim to eat fruits & vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are a great snack between meals, and a healthy alternative to pastries and sweets usually consumed during Ramadan. Some fruits and vegetables naturally contain high water content, especially cucumbers, watermelons, melons, squash and pumpkins. Eating those after fasting hours can help keep you hydrated. Variety of different types of salads are available in our Ramadan menu every day in order to maintain healthy and meet your body needs.
Try to cut down on sugary and processed foods: Avoid heavily processed, fast-burning foods that contain refined carbohydrates such as sugar and white flour, as well as fatty foods like Ramadan desserts. They are high in fat and low in nutrients. But in our Ramadan menu, we offer a mixture of Arabic and international type of desserts prepared in a healthy way that can be consumed safely without feeling guilty.
Break your fast slowly and don’t overindulge: While it is tempting to overindulge at Iftar after a day of food deprivation, remember that you should slow down. Start with a few dates and water and then wait before starting your main meal. Dates are a great source of energy for the body, helping it to secrete digestive enzymes in preparation for the upcoming meal. Afterwards, you may get started on some warm soup. Avoid heavy oils and fats in your meal. Make sure you consume plenty of vegetables and a good portion of protein and enough carbohydrates, with a little fat. Remember you should eat slowly and give time for your body to digest the food. Dates are important item in our Ramadan menu and all food dishes are prepared in a healthy way without any bad or saturated fats.
Make soups a regular item on your Iftar meals: Soups are warm, soothing on the stomach and easy to make. They provide the body with fluids, vitamins and minerals while offering a great way to incorporate vegetables. Try making soups from colourful vegetables available in season. Remember to limit the amount of salt and oil you use while preparing them. By joining our Ramadan menu, you will receive daily a different type of tasty soup that will replenish your body with the important vitamins and minerals.
Stay hydrated: Drink at least 8-12 cups of water a day. Drink plenty of fluids for hydration from the period of Iftar to the time of Suhoor. Beware of consuming a lot of popular sugary Ramadan drinks such as Tamarind and Hibiscus. Although juices, milk and soup are sources of fluids, water is the best choice, so try to consume other drinks in moderation. In our Ramadan menu, you will enjoy our drinks that you like such as (Tamarind, Amar el Deen, etc..) in moderate and right amount.
Avoid caffeinated drinks: Caffeine is a diuretic that stimulates faster water loss, leading to dehydration. It is best to avoid caffeinated drinks such as strong tea, coffee and colas, or drink them in moderation.
Avoid deep frying: Try to avoid fried foods or those prepared with large quantities of oil. If frying cannot be avoided, one tip would be to reduce the quantity of oil used. It is best to avoid frying with animal fat such as ghee. Alternatively, recommended oils to use are monounsaturated fats such as sunflower, canola and corn oil. Olive oil is not recommended for frying foods. We prepare our food in a healthy way away from saturated and unhealthy fats and oils.
Avoid working out during fasting hours: To avoid dehydration, it’s best to postpone working out until after fasting hours. We suggest you work out at a time when energy levels are at their best and rehydration is possible, such as after Iftar. Allow at least 2-3 hours after eating to begin your exercise routine, to give your body enough time to digest properly. Maintain hydration throughout your workout and don’t forget to drink plenty of water after, to replenish the water and mineral losses due to sweating. Water regulates your body temperature, lubricates your joints and transports nutrients throughout your body. Staying hydrated is particularly important during exercise.
Adapt fasting to your physical condition: Prior to Ramadan, Muslims, particularly seniors, should consult a doctor, as should pregnant women, children and people with diabetes taking medication to control their insulin levels.
For the first time in Kuwait, we invited three well known chefs to prepare the perfect Ramadan meals for you. Chef Jameela Allenqawi which is specialized in preparing an Authentic Kuwaiti food, chef Alya which is known in preparing tasty Lebanese food, and chef Zolkouf which is known in cooking Turkish food in a tasty and delicious way. Don’t miss the chance to join and try our best Ramadan menu plans in Kuwait in order to stay healthy and fit during fasting in Ramadan.
For more information about Ramadan programs and menu click here:
Reference:
https://www.wfp.org/stories/10-ways-stay-fit-and-healthy-during-ramadan