JEDDAH, 18 November 2002 — Food shopping and food specials are among the main features of Ramadan not only in Saudi Arabia but also in most parts of the Islamic world.
The food marathon usually starts a few days before the holy month and lasts the whole month. Supermarket are overcrowded with shoppers on a daily basis. Sweets and traditional food are sold indoors and outdoors. Pavement stalls abound, selling edibles of all description.
Obsession for food has become an annual phenomenon which in many cases goes to show how unhealthy and unwise it is to spend the whole month shopping and eating food all night.
Asked how Ramadan galvanizes the food market every year, Mahmoud, manager of Al Danoub supermarkets in Jeddah, said: “Our sales increase 7% during the month of Ramadan. Companies vie with each other to attract more customers through special offers. We also create special corners for selling Ramadan food and sweets which are in great demand”.
Fatima, a housewife, told Arab News about how food takes center stage in Saudi households during Ramadan. “I don’t think we are overdoing it in terms of shopping. Ramadan is a family month when we have a lot of parties and social get-togethers between families and friends. That’s why we shop more and we need to go to the supermarkets more often. On the other hand, I think people should watch what they are eating and how often. They ought to remember that daytime fasting is not for eating the whole night”.
Dr. Khaled Edrees, a diabetologist, told Arab News that wrong eating habits during Ramadan can cause more harm than just gaining a few extra pounds in weight.
“Our food in Ramadan is mainly carbohydrates, that’s why most people gain weight. If they are diabetic (25% of Saudis are diabetic) they tend to suffer many complications during and after Ramadan. People’s metabolism slows down during the fasting hours and when they eat heavy meals at night their bodies cannot digest the foods.”
He offered the following tips to maintain good heath and proper weight during Ramadan.
“We should follow the advice of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). We should eat small amounts of food when in Maghreb and after one or two hours we should eat a healthy meal. As for diabetics they should visit their doctors before Ramadan to organize their fasting”.
