JEDDAH, 26 September 2007 — As soon as Ramadan comes, most people begin to plan about what they want to eat for iftar and sahur, not to mention the countless midnight feasts that are held across the month. In fact Ramadan is gaining the reputation as a time when many people gain extra weight.

People who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and kidney and liver problems have to pay extra special attention to what they eat, according to Reema Salman, a clinical and sports nutritionist at the Med Art Clinic.

“People with diabetes and high blood pressure experience disorders in their blood sugar level and blood pressure during the first three days of fasting,” said Salman, adding that this is caused by changes in people’s eating patterns and the time when they take medicine.

“Diabetic people need to avoid sugar. They should even avoid small pieces of cake for at least the first three days of Ramadan. This is until their sugar levels become stable. Then they can consume alternative sugar and preferably natural sugar like sucralose,” she said.

People with diabetes should also avoid fruit that has high levels of sugar like grapes, mango and guava. Their daily diet should not include more than three pieces of fruit a day, which are better eaten and not drunk like a juice. When fruits are squeezed, their complicated sugars turn into simple sugars, which causes insulin levels to rise quickly.

People who suffer from high cholesterol levels must also refrain from eating fried food. Grilled food is better. Samoosas, which are very popular in Ramadan, can be baked in an oven.

“I always recommend that people exercise, like walking, before iftar. This burns fat, refreshes the blood cycle, and strengthens the heart and muscles,” said Salman.

She also suggests that people with high blood pressure eat fruits that are rich in potassium, like bananas and oranges, to decrease the levels of sodium in one’s body. Drinking water is necessary to get rid of salts in a person’s body. Everyone is supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day especially since, during Ramadan, people go without water for 12 hours or more.

Even though fasting lasts for half of the day, some people gain weight during Ramadan. Salman attributed this to weak metabolic rate. Food that is rich with sugar and fat causes people to increase in weight.

“Some people eat less food during Ramadan but gain weight. If every person walks for half an hour before iftar, they would burn the fat in their body, which is called ketoacidosis,” she said, adding that people with high blood pressure can stabilize their blood pressure during Ramadan if they eat a healthy diet and exercise.

Sahur must not include cooked and greasy foods. Light and healthy food that have fewer calories include yogurt, salad and soup. Salman does not recommend fruit for sahur because that would make them feel hungry the next day.

Coffee lovers are also advised not to drink coffee immediately at iftar. Coffee contains a high level of caffeine, which can irritate the stomach when empty. An ideal iftar would be a cup of yogurt or water with three dates (as is the Sunna) followed by maghrib prayers. Salman said that after prayers one could start with some warm soup and a baked samoosa. A bowl of salad and a plate of foul (mashed beans) are healthy and would satisfy a person’s hunger.

She further advised people, who eat full meals after taraweeh prayers, to avoid drinking colored juices that are full of sugar.

The Ministry of Health is currently offering people advise on how to remain healthy during the holy month. Nuha Abuljadayel, supervisor at the media information center at the Ministry of Health, said, “We provide people with information on how to manage their medicine intake during Ramadan and offer other types of services as well. We’ve received a lot of calls from smokers who want to use this month to quit smoking.”

The service is available on 800 249 4444 throughout the month.