Eating right this Ramzan

Hyderabad: The devout will be fasting for 17 hours a day during the month of Ramzan, which begins on June 7.

With daytime temperatures still soaring, it is important to provide sufficient hydration to the body during the two most important meals, sehri and iftar.
Nutritionists say that rehydrating drinks are important for people who are fasting.

Senior nutritionist Ms A. Ushasree said, “Dehydration is a common and serious risk faced especially by the older people, the diabetics, those with high blood pressure and diabetic patients. It is very important for these people to have the right balance of food and drink between fasts so that they have enough water to hydrate their body.”

Pomegranate molasses, locust bean drinks and rose sharbats help maintain proper body fluids. Beverages with large amounts of caffeine must be avoided during sehri. Ms Ushasree said, “Drinking too much tea leads to passing more urine, leading to invaluable loss of mineral salts which are required during the day. Fruits such as bananas are good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates. But bananas are also found to cause constipation, hence the intake has to be balanced with adequate fibre.”

Foods like whole cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products must be opted for because they provide the required fibre. Lean meat products like skinless chicken give the body enough protein to sustain during the period of fasting.

Dietician Ms A.N. Malleswari said, “Adequate hydration helps in eliminating toxins and also helps in cleansing of the body. During the month of fasting, it also allows the body to remain cool. But very cold sharbats and aerated drinks have a detrimental effect on the body. Such drinks help in quenching the thirst for a short period. They are not of much help for longer duration.  That is why it is better to  avoid them.”