How to take care of your health in between fasting and feasting?

Here are some tips to make a few lifestyle changes to get the best out of this Ramadan. Let this season be a time of revival in spirit, soul and body.

We all have grown up listening to how breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And during Ramzan, it becomes even more important! Skipping su hoor prolongs the fasting period as your body will need to rely on the previous meal to provide you with all the nutrients and energy until iftar. Due to the longer hours of fasting, you are more likely to feel dehydrated and tired during the day. Furthermore, skipping suhoor also encourages overeating during iftar, which can cause unhealthy weight gain.

Overeating when it is time to break the fast can harm your body. Iftar should be a well-balanced and nutritious meal. Overeating and excessive consumption of high-fat foods in particular may result in indigestion and weight gain. One needs to slow down and enjoy mouthful of the food.

Make every effort to drink at least eight glasses of fluids daily before dawn and after sundown. Fluids include juices, milk, beverages and soups but water is the best choice. Ideally, you should also cut down on caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea and colas as these promote fluid loss.

Some people tend to be more sedentary during the month of Ramzan. They presume that since they are fasting, they might run out of energy and hence refuse to exercise at all. But to burn extra calories after you eat in the eve, make sure to be active by at least going for a walk every day, two hours after having iftar. This will allow you to get time to digest your meal.

For better health, be moderate in adding salt to your cooked dishes especially during Ram adan . Instead use vegetables, herbs and spices to add flavour and colour to your meals. Eating sweets immediately after iftar will increase the size of your stomach and cause a delay in digestion. It will also cause a fluctuation in the blood glucose level, which will lead to you craving for more sweets. Have sweets in moderation and about 2-3 hours after iftar.