Diet plays an integral role in the religious customs of a variety of faiths. Ramazan fasting involves a total abstinence from food and fluid ingestion from dawn to dusk. It is obligatory for all Muslims – barring children before the age of puberty, people who are elderly, chronically ill, or need to take medications regularly and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
“Although religious fasting is often a time of great spiritual growth, it can also be a time of great improvement to one’s physical health. However, favorable or unfavourable health outcomes greatly depend on quality and quantity of food choices,” says Dr AN Malleswari, chief dietician, Global Hospitals.
Reseacrch findings indicates that dietary changes pertaining to kcal intake, as well as macro and micro-nutrient intake, may or may not differ during Ramadan. A small body mass loss is a frequent, but not universal, outcome of Ramadan.
Common problems
Common problems that arise from fasting are increased irritability and incidences of headaches with sleep deprivation and lassitude prevalent. Dehydrating is common but no detrimental effects on health have been found.
“People must keep in mind that if a late night meal is included, it should be planned with a generous serving of vegetables and fruits to counter the effect of the calorie dense iftaar, “ cautions the dietician.
Precautions for diabetics
Diabetics can lead a normal life, provided they take the prescribed drugs and make certain changes in their life style particularly in their diet and physical activity. The major complications – hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, dehydration, and thrombosis – can be increased in people with diabetes who fast. So during fasting diet as well as the drug management should be adjusted to prevent the above complications.
“Be aware of the serve size and its contents. Try to avoid / restrict high fat foods and include fiber rich foods, to prevent erratic fluctuations in blood sugar. Replace deep fried foods with fruits and vegetables,” says Dr Malleswari.
During Pregnancy
In healthy women with appropriate nutrition, fasting has no inappropriate effect on intrauterine growth and birth-time indices. However, relative risk of low birth weight was 1.5 times in mothers on fasting at first trimester as compared to the non-fasting mothers. Maternal ketonuria (occurring during starvation) in pregnancy leads to decreased fetal intelligence therefore fasting and limited carbohydrate intake should be avoided during this period. A healthy diet plan during pregnancy can go a long way in bringing a healthier next generation.
For Children
Adolescents in the age group of 10-18 years are in their second growth spurt. “Their fast diet plan should include a nine to 11 servings of grains, four to five serves of vegetables, three serves of fruits, three to four serves of milk and milk products, two serves of meat. Providing them with these healthy food choices and reducing the intake of visible fat (about 25 g /day) would prevent micronutrient deficiencies like anaemia and obesity,” explains the doctor.