Health tips to keep in mind during Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is a crucial month for the Muslim community both physically and spiritually with the belief of learning restraint through practice During this period the community observes Roza ie fast which involves its members abstaining from eating and drinking right from sunrise until sunsetFasting during Ramadan is known to help in improving onersquos health but doing it the right way is imperative Moreover it can pose as a challenge for people with dietary issues to practice it for the entire month Therefore eating healthy and ensuring the consumption of all nutrients during this period is essentialFollowing are a few suggestions to keep in mind in order to observe a healthy and fit Ramadan fastDonrsquot miss Sehri ndash Also popularly known as lsquoSuhoorrsquo this is considered to be the most important meal of the day similar to breakfast Sehri is the predawn meal that contributes to a large extent in storing up nutrients to replenish the bodyrsquos requirement until Iftar Unfortunately several people tend to avoid this meal by eating heavy dinner instead as waking up early becomes a challenge However skipping Sehri can cause digestive discomfort and make your body sluggish throughout the day Therefore indulge in a nutritious meal that includes fibrerich food figs bananas dates cereals complex carbohydrates grains wheat oats and highprotein food cheese eggs meatKeep your body hydratedndash This is one of the most essential tips to keep in mind during the month of Ramadan One needs to balance the consumption of liquids to compensate not drinking 8 glasses 2 litres of water Dehydration can lead to constipation splitting headaches and lethargy and therefore hydrating yourself before the fast begins with twothree glasses of water is critical as is sipping on water on breaking the fast between Iftar and your bedtime Unhealthy drinks that contain caffeine including coffee tea aerated beverages must be avoided People who cannot function without coffee can have a cup post 12 hours of a healthy balanced Iftar Consuming waterrich foods like fruits vegetables and soups are highly recommended to meet the daily water intakeModerate your diet and keep a check on your meal intakendash People tend to get carried away during the Iftar meal and indulge in a large portion of meals but it is advisable to eat in moderation whenever the fast is broken and keeping a constant check on the mealsize Overeating can be responsible for an increase in heartrelated issues along with triggering Type2 Diabetes Therefore consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables is advisableAbstain from heavy workouts and exercisingndash As the entire month demands long hours of fasting our body tends to get dehydrated and therefore it is recommended to not go overboard with your exercise regime Light workouts are okay following fasting hours as they aid in regulating body functions and keep it hydratedDo not consume processed food opt for healthy choices ndash While breaking the fast during Ramadan it is essential to abstain from consuming friedexcessively oily or processed food as they comprise lesser nutrients and more fat leading to instant acidity and nausea as well as potentially causing heartburn and indigestion One should consume food cooked with lesser oil like soups fresh fruits and vegetables grilled meat and braised dishes If you are travelling when itrsquos time to break your fast instead of having junk or packaged food opt for healthier alternatives like dry fruits that include dates and nutsAs important as it is to observe fast one should not overlook the importance of staying healthy These simple tips can help you keep a check on your health during the holy month of Ramadan so you can observe fast without compromising on your healthDr Iqbal Bagasrawala Associate Director Medical Affairs Saifee Hospital MumbaiTop News Stories Of The DayAditya Pancholi claims he was threatened with a rape case submits videoMumbai Kids show how to sort out Vile Parles traffic woesMumbai BPO firm asked to pay Rs 262 crore or face recovery proceedingsMumbai Narrow approach stalls Jogeshwari projectPune Honest janitor returns mangalsutra worth Rs 2 lakhDeven Bharti is new ATS chief MaharashtraMumbai HC refuses to vacate stay on BMCs Tree AuthorityMedicine shortage BMC blacklists rogue supplierDadars Chitra Cinema to shut down SOTY 2 to be its last day last showNick Barnes Power to humiliate has increased dramaticallyAction should follow new BMC chiefs promisesRamona Narang The transformation of high societys once wild childAranya Johar The 20yearold poet who is taking the internet by stormA walk through Mohammed Ali Roads Khau GalliInteresting facts about the Holy Month of RamzanCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates