Its that time of the year again, for those who fast and for those who don’t Ramzan always means something. Whether people who fast want to dedicate this month to Allah, while gaining some health and fitness benefits, or some who don’t fast but want to bring their routines on track, the month offers something for everyone. Sehri
The biggest question in this heat and coming humidity however is, what foods should one eat and what one should avoid eating at Sehri that help in having a more productive day while fasting. Here are our tips
Foods to Eat
Eat slow digestive foods: these will help you stay fuller through the day and keep energy levels up. These include grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millets, semolina, beans, lentils, whole wheat flour and unpolished rice. My Fav-a hot bowl of oats porridge with honey.
Eat fiber containing food: fiber help in avoiding acidity that may be caused during fasting and make thing rather unpleasant. These includes whole wheat (grains and seed), vegetables (green beans, peas, spinach, herbs like methi, iron rich leaves of beetroot), dry fruits (apricots, figs, plums and almonds). My Fav-Yogurt and Chia Seeds
Low calories sehri: a healthy sehri does not mean high calories. It should contain some protein and some fiber, so for a comfortable low calories but fulfilling sehri eat half boiled eggs, a bowl of whole grain cereal with low fat milk and fruit (any seasonal) My Fav-Gluten Free Granola with low fat greek yogurt.
Foods to Avoid
Food containing excess sugar: When you consume something with processed or excess sugar on an empty stomach (or otherwise) it pumps the insulin in the body that leads to fat storage, so avoid sugars at Sehri. Also, they will digest faster and make you hungry. If you need to sweeten something up, try honey or gur.
Too much caffeine: Caffeine is diuretic and will make the body dehydrated very fast in the day. Instead try lassi as a beverage at sehri.
DO NOT avoid food: These days skipping sehri is a norm, since people complain about lack of sleep. One should but everyone should realize by skipping sehri you actually force your body to rely on the energy from the last meal consumed and are more likely to experience dehydration headache and weakness.
-Contributed by Dr. Ayesha Atif
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