Ramadan is a blessed month of retrospection and community. It is a month where the faithful fast and engage in prayer and thanksgiving. By fasting, you learn to be more appreciative of the little things. However, after fast comes Iftar.
Iftar meals are a keen to an event. The entire family (plus extended family in some cases) and neighbors gather to partake. Some of the meals served include biryani, pilau, viazi vya karai, samosas, to mention a few. The challenge, as always, is to enjoy food in a healthy way.
There is no secret to preparing healthy meals. We have methods that have been tried and tested. The trick is to address the unique challenges that individuals face. For instance, if you get bloated after Iftar or feel sluggish. You may want to reduce greasy meals on your menu and add greens, grains, and other foods with high fiber content. It is also advisable to prepare your meals with cooking oil that has monounsaturated fats and is cholesterol-free, like Rinsun. Plain yogurt also aids in digestion.
Another common challenge is headaches, poor concentration, dry mouth, and lightheadedness. Where you don’t have any underlying issues, dehydration is one of the culprits for these signs during Ramadan. Avoid caffeine and too much salt. They both cause dehydration, while too much salt may cause bloating as well.
Don’t skip Suhur. What and how you eat at Suhur directly affects how you eat at Iftar. When you miss the morning meal, you may tend to overeat at Iftar. Overeating may cause you to feel sluggish, make you nauseous and cause heartburn.
Ensure that you eat meals that meet your bodily energy needs. Your Iftar meals should have the right mix of proteins, starch, and veggies for vitamins and minerals. As mentioned earlier in this article, ensure these meals are made with a healthy cooking oil such as Rinsun Sunflower Oil. How do you ensure that you and your family stay healthy during Ramadan? Tell us in the comment section.
