Well it’s here, the month of fasting. The month in which we cleanse our bodies and souls, fasting have been proven by science to be good for your body, however, most of us live in a country where the hot climate can often result in strenuous fast. The extreme heat may cause dehydration and heat strokes as well, but no worries as fasting is compulsory, here are a list of things you can do to stay healthy, just by eating healthy Sehri and Iftar.
How to Eat Healthy Sehri and Iftar?
No Processed or Junk Foods
Junk food and processed foods are delicious however; they contain no nutrients and should just be eaten as sidelines not the main course. These products contain MSG (monosodium-glutamate) and fats that can cause the body lose energy and make us more dehydrated. Eating healthy foods will result in the body getting more energy and staying full, junk food and processed foods don’t stay in the body and dissolve quickly which gives us the feeling of an empty stomach however, the fats remain in the body making you feel lethargic and tired.
- Fruits, Vegetables and other natural produce are the best foods for Sehri and Iftari to be refueled with energy.
The “White” terror
Here is some fun knowledge, avoid any food that is white in the month of Ramadan. That is white bread, rice, sugar; these foods have been processed and stripped of all nutrients. During the process these things are made they lose essential layers of nutrients.
- One can use their brown relatives such as brown bread, brown rice, brown sugar. These products contain way more nutrients than their white counterparts. This can be helpful, especially in Iftari when usually the family likes to enjoy sugary treats, and rice is a preferred food option.
Hydrate Your Body
Well in this heat, the need to be stay hydrated with the ideal number of glasses in Sehri is close to 8 to 10 which will provide the water needed by the body throughout the day till Iftari. Hydration is important in Ramadan; there are several ways to keep your body hydrated such as avoiding tea and coffee, drinking fruit juices and vegetable soups.
- At Iftari to avoid the heat and cool off, dates can be consumed as well as smoothies and coconut water that is both nutritious and healthy.
Avoid Fried & Sugary Foods
Every Ramadan there is a sudden increase in fried foods and sugary treats. This is due to the fact most of us believe that we need to be rewarded for the Roza we kept for the day and also because many family members are kids and keeping a Roza is a big deal for them. Well, whatever the reason is, it’s time to stop. Fried foods are full of cholesterol and harmful fats and oil which can harm the bodily functions and the sugar as well can be very harmful to the body.
- Consumption cannot be stopped, but it can be moderated which is an ideal practice. Using everything in moderation is the trick to stay healthy in Ramadan.
The foods we eat often make us feel good, but inside they are damaging the body which is also the reason we feel tired during the day and have less energy in Ramadan. This is the Holy Month which comes every year, but just for 30 days, so we need to make sure that we make the most of it and stay healthy doing it.
