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Thursday March 28, 2024

‘Iftar’ buffets offering limited options for healthy diet

Islamabad Instead of an increased preference for modest, home-cooked meals, the trend is increasingly for having ‘iftars’ and ‘sehris’ at restaurants, convenience shops and fast food establishments, leading to commercialisation of Ramazan at the cost of public health. The most dangerous of these is the ‘iftar’ buffets, some of which

By Shahina Maqbool
June 30, 2015
Islamabad
Instead of an increased preference for modest, home-cooked meals, the trend is increasingly for having ‘iftars’ and ‘sehris’ at restaurants, convenience shops and fast food establishments, leading to commercialisation of Ramazan at the cost of public health.
The most dangerous of these is the ‘iftar’ buffets, some of which offer a variety of more than 50 dishes containing oily and fried foods with a lot of sweets and drinks. When there are more choices, people try to taste all of them. Even small servings of each dish will fill the plate and you will eat far more than your body can handle. There will inevitably be lots of left-overs that need to be discarded. This is not the Islamic way as it leads to wastage of a lot of food.
Families and friends gather around for ‘iftar’ meals that are, in many cases, rich, fatty and high in simple carbohydrates. And many fall into the trap of over-eating. “Fatty food is harder to digest and makes one feel tired and thirsty. Contrary to popular belief, eating ‘pakoras,’ ‘parathas,’ and ‘samosas,’ and consuming greater quantities of ‘sherbet’ and sugary drinks does not revitalize one’s lost energy. Instead, these force a burden on the stomach and digestive system which can aggravate gastritis, heartburn and peptic ulcers, cause indigestion and make you prone to flatulence (breaking wind). This is especially a problem with fried food, extra usage of spices, and sugar-rich beverages,” consultant nutritionist at Shifa Dr. Rezzan Khan shared when her views were sought.
Individuals observing Ramazan should focus on the quality of foods they eat, rather than the quantity. Eating more during ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’ neither keeps you strong nor even reduces hunger throughout the day. Dr. Rezzan said, “the human body can convert even a small amount of food very effectively into the sustenance you need for the day. Just make sure you consume enough calories and liquids when you're able to eat, and don't stuff yourselves full until you are sleepy. Plan your meals in advance if possible, and choose healthier, less processed foods. Don't deprive yourselves, but at the same time, it is better to not have everything that you desire. Choose quality over quantity.”
Those unable to resist the temptation to eat out should look for commercial food places that compete on healthier food choices rather than on an increased variety of ‘iftar’ items. “Your diets should contain high-quality protein while the amount of fat, spices and food rich in sugar and salt should be lowered. Fresh vegetable salad, plain fruit and soup must be part of your ‘iftar’ buffet,” the nutritionist recommended.
Deep-fried food is a poor choice for ‘iftar.’ However, most restaurants find this unavoidable due to the demand of their patrons. However, commercial places can include some baked and stir-fried foods at medium-heat as a healthy choice on the buffet. Cooking with less oil is an art; this will improve the appearance and taste of food.
Fasting has many proven health benefits if conducted correctly and with a greater awareness of what is consumed before and after the fast begins. “However, people are generally not aware of their bad eating habits and many tend to overeat at iftar. These meals often contain heavy, fatty foods that are high in calories. If you are eating excessive carbohydrates and saturated fats, you could be increasing your chances of heart disease in Ramazan,” Dr. Rezzan warned.
“This Ramazan, I urge you to make at least two changes to your eating habits to ensure that you and your family lead healthier, happier lives,” the nutritionist advised in conclusion.