Hyderabad: Muslims are bracing for fasting during Ramzan during a hot dry summer. This time Ramzan falls in the month of May after a gap of two decades in India. There is some concern about the difficulties to maintain the fast this year.
Youths who will fast for first time in their life during the whole month of May are worried about how to beat the heat in the holy month.
In May in Hyderabad, the average temperature is around 40 degrees Celsius. The duration of the fast will be more than 14 hours this time.
Fasting people should make some changes in their daily routines and chores during Ramzan in order to avoid fatigue. They should avoid outings, particularly during 12 noon to 4 pm.
Nutritionist Dr Abid Moiz said staying well-hydrated is the key to making it easier for the body to endure the daily fasting routine during a hot summer.
He said drinking adequate water throughout the non-fasting period is essential. He advises physical exercise in the fasting period, because it increases fatigue.
To overcome inactivity and laziness one needs to take such foods which enhance energy when breaking the fast like dates, fruit juices, cereals made from rice, pasta, oats and proteins, enriched milk and curd during saher (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking the fast). He also advises the use of vegetables.
Pharmacist Mr Abul Aarif said that the energy of a human body mainly depends on sugar and glucose that a person consumes during the pre-dawn meal, but this meal can only provide energy for six hours. After this, the body has to depend on its store in the form of glycogen and fats.
He said that for long lasting energy, fasting people have to pay attention to the quality of the food as it can prevent hunger and tissue breakdown.
He advises avoiding junk foods and eating easily digestible and absorbable foods which are rich in fiber like rice, wheat, grains and potatoes.
He said that non-seasonal fruits which are available during the month should be avoided.
Moulana Hafiz Moham-med Imtiyaz said that eating dates in pre-dawn meals is good for health. Persons should break the fast with a few dates and juices.
He said that we should avoid drinking water on an empty stomach immediately after breaking the fast. Fasting people can also bathe in cold water in noon to cool the body.
He said that Prophet Mohammed used to pour water over his head while fasting in the heat. He advises housewives to change their daily routine.
