No point in bingeing

Nutrition coach Ali Faraaz says, “After an entire day of not eating, we break our fast with dates, a pinch of salt and a few fruits. The dates provide us with all the nourishment, the salt provides the body with electrolyte and the fruits are light. But what many people eat after the fast is broken is what can cause trouble.”

“We fast to cleanse our bodies and minds and at the end of the fast if one just loads up on rich food, it defeats the purpose. Apart from that there is also a risk to one’s health,” he adds.

According to Ali, an overdose of rich food can cause the body to slow down and become sluggish. “You must make sure that you eat less salt and drinking lots of water which will replenish the body of whatever fluids it loses. Having rich food with lots of salt further depletes the body of fluids,” he adds.

For Iffat Khan, a homemaker in the city, haleem is one of the must haves for families, every day. “Haleem provides us with the nourishment, but that doesn’t mean we load up on it. We have haleem in small proportions and that doesn’t leave us feeling heavy,” she says. “We break our fast with fruits and dates, but post that we try to have light food, like dal and rice for dinner,” she explains.

But, to give your body a break, one can always indulge in a cheat day. Iffat says, “Once or twice a I go out and indulge, those are my cheat days.” Dr Khaleel Hamed is someone who takes his food very seriously. “During this season, we abstain from all sorts of unhealthy habits and so it is important to stay away from rich food.”

When people fast the entire day and then load up on rich food, there is a chance of developing gastric problems and heartburn, says Dr Hamed.