RAK Hospital to provide “FREE NUTRITIONIST CONSULTATION” for fasters during Ramadan

Wednesday, June 25, 2014: Ras Al Khaimah, UAE………………………..RAK Hospital, a leading healthcare provider in Northern emirates, has announced “Healthy Ramadan initiative” wherein those observing fast during this holy month can avail FREE consultation with hospital’s nutritionist and can get advice on individual nutritional and diet requirements. The fast of Ramadan is rigorous during the best of times. During long and hot summer days, it may be required to observe the fast for as many as sixteen or more hours at a time.

Prior to Ramadan, you must always consult with a doctor about the safety of fasting in individual health circumstances. Plan your schedule and meals ahead of time in order to make sure you get the nutrients, hydration, and rest that you need. Fasting along with soaring temperatures can cause health issues such as headaches, heartburn, dehydration etc and hence it is very important to consult a nutritionist to remain fit when fasting. It is vital for Pregnant and lactating mothers, very young children, the elderly, hypertensive people to consult their GP while fasting during Ramadan. In addition, diabetic patients should also visit and consult G.P to seek changes in their medication.

This initiative highlights community outreach initiatives and RAK Hospital’s vision of ‘Wellness for all’.
• What: Free consultation with Nutritionist & Dietician from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. everyday
• When: Entire month of Ramadan
• Where: RAK Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah
• Nutritionist & Dietician Mrs. Alice Mohan will provide consultation on healthy eating, suitable diet, food allergies, gastrointestinal health and weight management.
For appointments contact: 07 – 2074444 or For more details:  www.rakhospital.com
RAK Hospital Nutritionist Mrs. Alice Mohan says that balanced food and fluid intake is important between fasts, if the correct diet is not adhered the benefits of fasting can be lost and worse still be detrimental to health by weight gain! The deciding factor is not the fast itself, but rather what is consumed in the non-fasting hours. The diet should no different to a healthy balanced diet. Remember the principles of Ramadan are self-discipline and self-control.

Balanced diet- top tips

- Complex carbohydrates (eg grains, barley, wheat, pats semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour and basmati rice) help release energy slowly during the long hours of fasting. So suitable for the pre-dawn meal.
- Fibre-rich foods which are also digested slowly, such as bran, cereals, whole wheat, grains and seeds, potatoes with the skin, vegetables such as green beans and almost all fruit, including apricots, prunes and figs.
- Foods to avoid are the heavily-processed, fast-burning foods that contain refined carbohydrates (sugar and white flour), as well as fatty foods (for example, cakes, biscuits, chocolates and sweets such as Indian Mithai).
- Avoid caffeine-based drinks such as tea, coffee and cola. Caffeine is a diuretic so stimulates water loss through urination.
- Aim to drink around 10 glasses of water each day.
- Avoid prolonged contact with the sun.
- Taking a multivitamin once a day can ensure daily dose of vitamins and minerals.