RIYADH, 21 September 2007 — The Ministry of Health has advised those who are fasting not to sleep too much, to be conscious of their food intake and to continue working normally during Ramadan.

“The advice is being given to all those who are fasting since we receive a number of health complaints due to negligence of health rules while people are fasting,” a spokeswoman from the ministry said.

The ministry’s “Hello Ramadan Health” program introduced on Saturday, has given an insight into the common problems faced by people who are fasting. The callers were men and women who were anxious to know more about their health during this period.

Overeating during iftar or suhoor is harmful to health and makes people obese and lazy, the spokeswoman said, adding that this was the cause of excessive sleep and lethargy during the day.

“During Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is overweight, Ramadan is an ideal time to lose extra kilos.”

In view of the long hours of fasting, the ministry has advised people to consume food that is slowly digested including fiber containing-foods rather than food that is quickly digested. Slowly digested foods take up to 8 hours, while quickly digested food takes only 3 to 4 hours.

The slowly digested food are foods that contain grains and seeds such as barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).

The quickly digested foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates). Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables such as green beans, peas, spinach, and leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes and almonds.

The food eaten should be well distributed from each food group, such as fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.

“Drink a lot of water or fruit juices between iftar and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels.”

She said that those who suffer from chronic ailments such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and kidney diseases should consult their doctors. “The doctors will make a time-table for taking their medicines.”