Get Ramadan-ready with these healthy pre-fasting habits, food tips from UAE experts

Nutritionists in the United Arab Emirates say Muslims should really begin practicing balanced behaviors ahead of Ramadan to stay clear of bodyweight gain or health and fitness complications through the holy month.

Archana Baju, a medical dietitian at Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Medical center, said with Ramadan just all around the corner, Muslims must start preparing now for how they will say healthful though fasting.

“Ramadan is near,” she stated. “Now is the correct time to system for a healthful and wholesome Ramadan.”

For all the newest headlines observe our Google Information channel on the web or by way of the app.

To start with, said the physician, caffeine needs to be managed.

“Caffeinated beverages do not only keep you alert but also act as diuretics and leave you dehydrated. During fasting, dehydration can be a concern so check out to chorus from consuming coffee ahead of the holy thirty day period starts.”

Exercise healthier habits just before Ramadan

Muslims really should also start off ingesting lots of fluids from now on, follow part regulate and choose for healthier food possibilities.

“These pre-Ramadan preparations will assistance your human body adapt to the intermittent fasting section in an suitable way,” stated Baju.

In simple fact, she said Ramadan is the ideal time to shed fat.

“Healthy food practices and an energetic way of life are important,” she observed. “Focus on hydration. Aside from h2o, fresh fruit juices, milk and infused water are also great possibilities.”

“Include drinking water-containing fruits and veggies like cucumber, zucchini, lettuce, watermelon, peaches, apples, and tomatoes.”

Muslims should really also check out to consist of elaborate carbohydrates like total grains, beans, legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables in the course of Iftar and Suhoor meals,” she stated.

“Adapt balanced cooking methods. Use grilled, baked, and air-fried starters in its place of the fried kinds. Also, use low-unwanted fat or lite variations of dairy solutions in cooking.”

“Include a wide range of herbs and spices that can enhance the taste and at the same time lessen oil to build a healthful version. In the meantime, alternatively of sugar-loaded desserts, prepare for balanced solutions like fruit skewers, granola parfaits, fruit puddings, etc.”

“Importantly, avoid greasy, fried, and sugary foodstuff to keep ingestion, bloating, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal difficulties at bay.”

Ramadan-friendly diets

Scientific Dietitian Juliot Vinolia, of Medor Clinic in Dubai, explained to Al Arabiya English that Ramadan is the “best time of the yr to revive and rejuvenate your mind and system,” adding that Muslims fasting need to consider incorporating fiber and nutrient-rich food items in their diet program this Ramadan.

“Fasting can help our system to reboot and delete toxins even at a mobile level. The blood vessels and gut get cleared off harmful fats and cancer-resulting in chemical compounds which we accumulated when consuming super processed meals,” she reported.

“Fasting is a double-edged sword when combined with the appropriate food items it can reduce out the condition-triggering genetic product. The system absorbs in the most at the mental and intestine level in the course of fasting.”

Vinolia added that unique hormones and enzymes are generated only for the duration of a balanced quickly. In buy to get the best of these enzymes, folks must have a nutritionally enough eating plan, together with far more plant-based, dwelling-cooked new foods which are wholesome, charge-successful and also climate pleasant.

Echoing her sentiment, Medical Dietitian Davie Telan at the Salma Rehabilitation Medical center in Abu Dhabi explained to Al Arabiya English that persons really should purpose to include things like fiber in their meals in purchase to “feel fuller and lengthen satiety for lengthier intervals of time.”

“Make sure to have a comprehensive meal that features fruits, greens, starchy foods, dairy food items, protein-wealthy meals and normal fat. A comprehensive food will support control your hunger and even enhance your immune system. Recall that high quality, not quantity, of your foods throughout Suhoor and Iftar is what issues.”

He inspired individuals to integrate fruits, greens, wholegrains and legumes into their diet programs throughout the holy month to be certain an correct ingestion of needed vitamins and minerals.

Try to eat in a different way for Suhoor and Iftar

Suhoor is the meal eaten before dawn throughout Ramadan, right after which people quick until eventually right after sunset, while Iftar is the evening food with which Muslims end their day by day Ramadan fast at sunset.

Unique regulations implement for Suhoor and Iftars, the doctors claimed.

“Suhoor is an important food that really should involve advanced carbs, protein, fruits, and greens,” she mentioned. “Avoid espresso throughout Suhoor,” Baji defined.

“Delay the Suhoor meal as considerably as possible as this meal provides sufficient electrical power through the day.”

Vionlia described that Suhoor should really not be skipped since it can decrease rate of metabolism and assist with body fat storage in the overall body. She advises Muslims to steer clear of sugary and carbonated drinks, as well as remarkably processed carbs like sweetened breakfast cereals, cakes, pastries, biscuits and white bread.

In addition, Telan mentioned that overindulging in fried and processed meals need to be averted because it could exacerbate the danger of persistent diseases and lead to body weight get.

“Avoid far too significantly salt as this will dehydrate you and make you thirsty through the day. In lieu of salt, use herbs, spices, lemon, or lime to include taste to the food stuff,” Telan discussed.

For Iftar, Muslims should break their quickly customarily with three dates to replenish themselves with sufficient vitamins and energy.

“Drink water/ milk/ soups to rehydrate correctly. The major food should involve protein decisions (lean chicken, fish, lentils, beans) with complex carbohydrates (brown rice, quinoa, couscous, entire grain pasta) and 1-2 cups of colourful veggies,” mentioned Baju.

For Iftar, Vinolia suggested Muslims to stay clear of spicy and deep-fried food items and decide for healthier meals built in an air fryer in its place.

She warned that consuming too much sugar and body fat right after fasting hrs can direct to fatty liver disorder and boost the danger of gall and kidney stones.

“Carbonator gadgets are simply accessible on the web which can tremendously switch sugar loaded comfortable beverages with plain fizzy sparking h2o which can be flavored with lemon, mint, cucumber or berries.”

Workout minor and typically

Baju said Muslims need to remain active as considerably as attainable to boost their power degrees.

“Small walks and stretches in in between long sitting down schedules are a superior alternative,” she claimed. “Avoid strenuous activity for the duration of fasting.”

“People with clinical disorders must consult with their doctor with regards to fasting to prevent any well being difficulties.”

Vinolia encouraged setting up each working day with a small-intensity stretching plan to stop muscle mass stiffness and hold colonic muscle tissues active. She included that the most effective time to do the job out throughout Ramadan if you are fasting is at the very least 1 hour just after Iftar for the reason that it will ensure that an individual’s hydration is replenished, providing that man or woman the time to have regained some glucose to electrical power and water-starved muscle tissue.

“Though it could seem to be achievable and time helpful to training around 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., it may possibly lead to complicate dehydration, lead to muscle mass injuries, ligament tears and migraines,” she cautioned.

“Choosing a moderate exercising routine is better than a physically demanding program as it may possibly guide to more injurious for the duration of the fasting time. Changing carb, protein and body fat in tune with the physical exercise can assist a single get rid of excess fat and accomplish a heathy bodyweight.”

Telan also offered the similar advice, stressing that higher-depth workout routines should be avoided and that individuals must prioritize energy education around cardio exercises in purchase to gradual down the approach of muscle loss even though fasting.

Being healthier when expecting

Dr. Naela el-Sayed Ismail, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology at Key Professional medical Centre Dubai, explained to Al Arabiya English that fasting procedures ought to differ for women who are pregnant.

Whilst expecting girls can fast, whether or not they need to or not relies upon on an person women’s issue and capacity to abstain from food stuff for a prolonged extend of time, she mentioned.

For individuals that do, Dr. Ismail advises women to keep hydrated involving Iiftar and Suhour, with the advised drinking water consumption becoming about two liters a working day, she mentioned.

“Eat foodstuff that is prosperous in drinking water as cucumber and watermelon and keep away from espresso, tea and caffeine-rich beverages as it would make your body urinate far more and free fluids.”

Meals really should involve very low glycemic carbohydrates like wholemeal bread, oats and sweet potatoes, food items that are wealthy in fiber these types of as as leafy veggies and protein-wealthy food stuff like eggs, fish and chicken.

Right after eating, pregnant women of all ages are encouraged to get supplements and go for a walk to strengthen digestion and absorption of meals.

Average physical exercise which include going for walks, swimming, yoga and Pilates is also encouraged.

Go through additional:

UAE’s Ramadan procedures for non-Muslims, diminished performing hours, holidays discussed

Expo Town Dubai hopes to convey the environment with each other again in the course of this Ramadan

Ramadan 2023: Reduced working several hours anticipated for UAE staff