Tips to stay healthy & hydrated this Eid

Eid-ul-Fitr is just around the corner and people are slowing changing their health routine. After long days of fasting, Muslims are going back to the usual meal routine; having meals three times a day and hydrating the body. It is necessary to maintain a healthy life as well by preventing problems such as acidity stomach and other issues.

According to the international news source, a clinical dietician with Medeor Hospital Juliot Vinolia said, “This year, Ramadan fasting has been remarkably different. Owing to the COVID-19 related restrictions, people have been eating healthy anyway, with greater emphasis on home-cooked food in the absence of heavy community eating at iftar and suhoor tents.”

She added, “Being at home has meant people have not been returning from work after a physically tiring day and therefore, are not going big on iftar, This is a positive thing, but the drop in physical activity and restrictions on movements have also meant that residents need to go far easier on food, especially during the first days of Eid. Lack of proper physical activity means being stricter on portion control and cutting out rich food and dessert, now more than ever. It is important to avoid the onset of diabetes and obesity and have a robust immune system during this pandemic.”

In addition to this, experts direct people to have healthy meals on Eid days to avoid inflammation.
“With no big Eid events on our calendars it would be possible to avoid large portioned, rich meals and build back good health with sensible eating,” said Vinolia.

Furthermore, Dr. Vinolia also advises people to hydrate themselves during Eid. She said, “Do not go for fruit juices (high in sugar, lacking in fiber), tea and coffee or carbonated soft drinks, all of which are diuretics and can cause more dehydration,

Apart from that, you have to change your biological clock. People usually stay awake all night in Ramadan after Iftar. They sleep during day time. However, the routine will be changed after Eid.

Dr. Hassan Hariri, head of the department of the Sleep Clinic at an international hospital, said, “People suffer from sleep deprivation during Ramadan. This is equivalent to having stress that releases two hormones – cortisone and non-adrenaline. These cause spikes in blood sugar, can trigger hormonal imbalance, interfere with the body’s metabolism, and can also cause general fatigue, diabetes, and obesity.”

“This feeling is akin to jet lag. So during Eid, it is important to set up a schedule to wake up early, even if you go to bed late, as you are resetting your biological clock. It is okay to have a short nap during the afternoon, but while resetting, it is important to arise early, Gradually, push back to an earlier sleeping time,”