JEDDAH, 10 November 2004 — With the approach of Eid, I feel a yearning to talk about our old customs of these happy days of festivities that mark the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, prayers, charity and worship. Eid is traditionally celebrated with fireworks, people exchanging gifts, nice words and visits, dressed in newly stitched or acquired attire. With the first rays of the rising sun, girls in beautiful wide frocks and boys in whitewashed thobes and kufias joyfully walk hand in hand with their fathers to the mish’had for Eid prayer. At their return from Eid prayer, mothers adorn breakfast tables with special Eid delicacies consisting of a variety of jams, an assortment of cheese and olives, a variation of bread, and an array of sweets (ladoo, labaniah, harissa, halawa tahinia). Lunch would be at the patriarch’s home with lamb and other Eid specialties. Dinner is another lavish banquet held by a relative. The following three days are equally festive with other family members participating in joyful events and each one trying to outdo the other.

These occasions are all beautiful and congenial gatherings when Ramadan is not a continuous feast as it has become in recent years. I find it quite strange that we celebrate the entire holy month of fasting with banquets of food whereas the mere act of fasting is meant to purify the soul and cleanse the body. In fact, the endless display of fatty foods presented during Ramadan defeats the spirit and purpose of both Ramadan and Eid. Why don’t we allow our body to detoxify by fasting and eating reasonable quantities at meals so that the festivities of Eid become more appreciated? It would also be beneficial to pay more attention to the quality of our food rather than its quantity, as moderation is a key element in keeping wholesome health, preventing disease, and achieving longevity.

Moderation, by the way, is not a mystery or an enigma; it should become a way of life. If we apply it, maintain it, and fit it into your lifestyle, temptation will cease to be the insurmountable challenge we face every meal.

According to Hippocrates of ancient Greece, “Thy food shall be thy remedy.” It should not become the cause of ailment. We should exercise control over the urge for overeating to avoid the consequences of temptation. Unfortunately, we tend to eat more with our eyes, thus succumbing to cravings.

Such unruly practices lead to overindulgence, which develops into unhealthy behavioral patterns. From then on every serving gets larger and larger and portions become difficult to reduce. Unless healthy changes take place and discipline is practiced, such health-damaging habits would result in obesity and its many complications. Allah reminds Muslims, “...And eat and drink but waste not by extravagance; certainly He likes not the extravagant.” (Chapter: 7, Verse: 31).

However, behavioral change should begin by creating inner awareness in order to manage wild appetites. When we serve food in controlled portions, eat slowly, and chew well, we are less likely to gorge ourselves. Through conscious eating, we allow more time for the food to settle in the stomach, sending brain signals of satiation in order to refrain from further eating.

Taking a break between one dish and another also controls the amount we eat at one sitting.

Talking and interacting with people sharing our table also make us enjoy the taste of food rather than thinking of wolfing down the phenomenal portion. By listening more to our body signals rather than to our cravings, we will eventually control big appetites and food portions.

Another method, which I find helpful in reducing excessive eating, is taking a small snack before leaving home. In this manner, we would not be hungry to the extent of gobbling down food thoughtlessly. Overeating influences the capacity of the stomach, making large portions a necessity for every meal.

With moderation, reason, and wisdom we would be capable of controlling cravings, overindulgence, and weight gain, as well as preventing indigestion, obesity, and the collection of diseases that comes with it. Our health balance today becomes our health credit tomorrow.

Eid Mubarak to all!

(Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected].)