Hyderabad: Binge eating late in the night, consumption of soda and other processed beverages and food by middle-aged people at odd hours and eating food high on calories are common occurrences during Ramzan after people break their fast. These sudden changes in the eating patterns have ill effects on health.
Fasting during Ramzan definitely needs extra precautions, especially for pregnant women, diabetic patients, people with heart diseases and senior citizens. Gas, bloating and indigestion can be avoided if the right precautions are taken.
“Dietary changes pertaining to kilo-calorie, macro and micro-nutrients intake may or may not differ over the period of Ramzan. But these differences may be responsible for health-related outcomes. Common problems like irritability, incidences of headaches with sleep deprivation and lassitude are prevalent. People must ensure that if a late night meal is included, it should be planned with a generous serving of vegetables and fruits to counter effect the calorie-heavy Iftar,” said Dr A.N. Malleswari, chief dietician, Global Hospitals.
Diabetic patients must try to avoid or restrict fatty food and include fibre-rich food, to prevent fluctuations in blood sugar, said Dr Malleswari adding that, deep fried food contribute to trans-fatty acids which are unhealthy and these must be replaced with fruits and vegetables.”
During pregnancy, it is ideal to avoid fasting, but if a woman wants to, she can fast provided her vital conditions and haemoglobin levels are normal. They must plan their diet in such a way that there is a regularity of all the required portions of vitamins and minerals along with ample rest during the day to minimise water loss and fatigue.
“Relative risk of low birth weight is 1.5 times in mothers on fast during the first trimester,” said Dr Malleswari.
Pregnant women who are anaemic, glucose- intolerant, on insulin, have hypertension, and are underweight or with twins must take extra precautions and must avoid fasting.
People with heart problems must keep a check on their calorie intake.
Diabetic patients
Avoid or restrict high fat food and include fiber-rich food, to prevent fluctuations in blood sugar.
No deep fried food as they contribute to trans-fatty acids which are unhealthy and these must be replaced with fruits, vegetables
During Pregnancy
Consume only healthy lean meat portions with very small servings of high- calorie food
Avoid heavy main course and heavy dessert at once and ensure nutritional quality is maintained.
Heart Patients
No high-calorie food
Regular physical exercise
