JEDDAH – Lasting for one month every year, the holy month of Ramadan offers Muslims an opportunity to care for themselves and get closer to Allah by ditching bad habits throughout the year.
Whilst improving spirituality during the holy month, Muslims can follow the following health tips by nutritionist Myriam Sakr to stay healthy and possibly even lose weight during Ramadan.
Drink
With the long fasting hours amid hot weather this year, drinking eight cups of water a day (250 ml each) might seem hard. This quantity can be distributed throughout the night, however.
Bear in mind that coffee and black tea are diuretics while juices are high in sugar and, therefore, not an adequate replacement for water.
If you are craving something hot, try herbal teas, which are a great replacement for water as they help with digestion.
Eat Fruits
Whole fruits are preferred over fruit juices and other fatty sweets since they contain fewer calories and more fibers, which aid in digestion.
Suhoor
You should have a balanced pre-dawn meal that contains whole carbohydrates and fat-free proteins so that the glucose levels in your blood will remain regulated the next day and you won’t feel dizzy.
A balanced meal is a key to maintaining or losing weight during Ramadan. Two dates, a glass of jallab, half-a-cup of lentil soup, two cups of salad and two cups of a homemade stew will leave you satisfied and ensure you remain healthy throughout the holy month.
Exercise
Try to exercise lightly during the day and keep in mind that the body burns more fat during the fasting period.