DHA Twitter clinic disseminates nutritional tips for a healthy Ramadan.

Highlights special dietary precautions for people with chronic diseases

Stresses on the importance of preventing a heat illness during Ramadan

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 10, 2014:  The Dubai health Authority’s Twitter Clinic  #Smart_clinic highlighted important healthy eating tips during the Holy month of Ramadan.

DHA nutritionists provided information about foods to eat, avoid as well as precautions to prevent heat stress while fasting.

Preventing heat stress:
Maryam Rehma Al Shamsi, clinical dietician and head of health education section within the DHA clinical nutrition department, said: “Skipping sahoor and lack of sleep are major contributors that can cause heat stress. Some people eat heavy dinners and skip Suhoor, this puts them at a higher risk for  heat stress. Suhoor should be consumed as late as possible to minimize the difficulty of fasting and fasters should consume sufficient water or unsweetened fruit juice between Iftar and Suhoor to balance the fluid levels in the body.”

She added that consuming drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea, colas and other soft drinks should be avoided as caffeine’s diuretic properties can dehydrate an already parched body.

She also said it is important to  avoid drinking tea at suhoor , as tea increases salt excretion in the urine, which is needed for the body during fasting.

“During the day it is important for people to limit their exposure to the sun and for those people who work in the sun to take breaks.”

General guidelines:

Muna Shammar, dietician and head of health education at Hatta Hospital, said: “People should have a  balanced diet with vegetables, fruits, protein, milk, yogurt and some saltine snacks. Avoid fatty meals especially fast-foods like fried chicken, fried potatoes and greasy meals. Avoid drinks which contain caffeine and drink plenty of water between Iftar to Suhoor to replenish the body.”

She added: “ During Iftar, break your fast with dates and fresh laban which is low in salt.  It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realize that food has been consumed and it then sends signals the rest of the body. So breaking your fast with laban and dates helps channelize this signal to the brain and prevents overeating.”

She added that during Ramadan people do the taraweeh prayers which is a form of exercise as well.

Fasting tips for people with chronic diseases:
Shammar advised that people who are fasting, especially people with gastric disorders should avoid fried, spicy and high sugar content foods. She also advocated eating small meals at regular hours as opposed to a big Iftar which can cause discomfort and slows the metabolism down.

She said that people with hypertension should drink enough liquids, eat fruits and vegetables and avoid salty foods.