Experts say that the state of your body depends heavily on the food choices you make during Ramadan, and affect whether you come out of this holy month leaner or with added weight?
First things first: stay mindful of hitting the right nutritional balance in the meals you have iso that you can stay energised, healthy and regulate your weight.
Top Tips:
- Pack your meals with complex and dense carbohydrates where sugar is absorbed slowly into the bloodstream. Good proteins from healthy meat cuts, poultry or legumes and healthy fats from avocados and nuts make you feel full longer. Meanwhile, keep your kitchen stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables which provide good fibre and hold water within the body, keeping thirst away.
- Avoid processed carbs and refined sugars as they can raise your insulin, which may lead to more hunger and weight gain. Opt for lean meats and white meat instead, which will also make sure you avoid muscle mass loss, and consume more good fats from almonds, walnuts, avocado and olive oil to keep energy levels high.
- Try to avoid exercise while fasting, as you will lose muscle mass. Exercise before suhour or after iftar.
- Avoid foods with high levels of salt, like canned food and pickles, as well as hot and spicy foods. Such foods increase the body’s need for water.
Overall, a diet rich with fresh fruits, vegetables, and good proteins and fats, coupled with the right precautions about exercise and fluid intake, will ensure you have a fit and healthy month and come out looking and feeling better.
Here’s to a happy Ramadan!
