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UNDERSTAND YOUR BODY IN RAMADAN


ramadan food photography

"UNDERSTAND YOUR BODY IN RAMADAN"

BY DR.SHADAB KAMAL

There are 3 major macro nutrients our body use as fuels. Carbohydrates, protein and fats.
When we eat food, we ingest it in complex form starch or cellulose, the polysaccharides (carbohydrates), proteins and fats. These macro nutrients are broken down into simpler forms in our gut by the action of certain enzymes. 
The main source of energy carbs are broken down into oligo, di (sucrose-table sugar) and monosaccharides (glucose- which is the main form that is processed in, fructose- fruit sugar, galactose- which makes milk sugar).
When taken in high quantities this glucose is stored in our fat cells, but only in the presence of insulin. Insulin is secreted by pancreas (lablaba in urdu) in response to glucose.
When our body is in fasting state, another hormone called glucagon is secreted from pancreas. It stimulates the conversion of stored complex sugar (glycogen) into glucose. We call this glycogenolysis in medical terminology, which gives you energy while fasting. It also activates another process, in which it converts proteins and fats into glucose thus aiding in weight loss and reversal of diabetes, prevention from heart diseases. This is termed as gluconeogenesis in our terminology.

The other health benefits of intermittent fasting on cellular repair, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, cancer and on our brain can be read on this article which I went through and found really interesting. 

A survey published on may 2017 in express tribune stated,
Mostly, the kinds of dates are being sold in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including Irani dry dates, Arabian dates, Pakistani Aseel, Karblain, Irani Rabai, Mazafati, Shareefa and others, Inaam Ullah a dates-seller in Sunday bazaar said.
People usually buy Iraqi Basra and Pakistani Aseel due to the taste and affordable price. There are more than 150 varieties of dates produced in Pakistan.
Out of these varieties, Begum Jangi of Balochistan, Aseel of Sindh and Dhakki of Dera Ismail Khan were the varieties which are much popular among people due to their exotic taste, he added.

However, another survey from may 2019 stated that Shopkeepers said the demand is for the imported varieties of dates, such as Zahidi, Muzafati and Rabai while locally, the Aseel variety – which is mostly produced in Sukkar, Sindh – is the most sought after in Ramadan.

dates palm

No matter whichever variety you are consuming, health benefits of dates are uncountable, as this fruit is affluent in natural fibres and packed with vitamins and minerals. Low in fat and free from cholesterol. They are immediate boosters of energy as they contain natural sugars; glucose, fructose and sucrose. However, they are very low in calories and are suitable for the health conscious people as well.
Micronutrients in dates involves vitamin B1,B2,B3 and B5 along with vitamin A and C. They are rich in potassium and low in sodium. Thus effective for high blood pressure patients as well.
They are high in iron content making a home for anemic patients in this holy month of Ramadan.

Usually when we fast, are body gets deprived of water making us vulnerable to constipation. Date like, mazafati are rich in moisture defining its soft, caramal like texture and packed in high amounts of fibres that aid in preventing constipation and many intestinal problems.
That is the reason our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advised to eat date in suhoor as well as breaking the fast from it is also his sunnat.


FOODS THAT ARE ADVISED FOR BREAKING THE FAST:
Globally,depending on the regions we are already witnessing 14 to 21 hours of fasting
As per the health point of view, many nutritionist, dieticians and health coaches have been speaking a lot about intermittent fasting and the most popular among them is 8:16 hours. 
i.e. a window of 8 hours of eating followed by 16 hours of fasting. 
Ramadan is that beautiful holy month which is an opportunity for all the muslims around the globe to unite on one platform equally and perform the act of physically and spiritually cleansing our body and soul from all the impurities and wrong deeds.

ramadan fasting

Do you know the word “iftaar” is derived from the word “futoor” which means “break fast”.
It’s the same breakfast we do every day other than Ramadan. i.e. the very first meal of your day after a period of no eating. So, what’s the best way to break a fast and ease your body back into eating. You should know that eating way too much after a long awaited empty stomach is like you are being loaded with a lots of work on day 1 back from your vacation which can lead you to exhaustion.
So, people while sitting on your dining table (dastarkhwan) keep in mind do not exhaust your stomach and liver way too much. Keep it light and filling so that you reach the level of satiety without creating trouble.

Here’s a list of what you should eat:

  • 2 dates have average 75gm carbs,7 gms dietry fibre,113 gm sugars and around 300k energy. (a high source of instant glucose)
  • 2 glasses of water will bring u back on hydration and by this time you have given enough fuel to kick start your metabolism.
  • Fresh juicy fruits like melon, watermelon, strawberries, oranges, papaya are also a good source of vitamins, fibre, low-glycemic index carbs and high in water. Cucumbers being a water friendly vege can also help you in this process.
  • Fermented food like Yogurt with a combination of chick peas (chana) and potato can make you feel fuller and are high in starch (a complex carb), proteins and good fat.
  • Or instead you can prepare a bowl of healthy meal including boiled spinach, red or white kidney beans and cottage chease, sprinkled with herbs and spices of your choice adding a spoonful of olive oil.
  • Or I can say all these foods I listed above adding few more like; mushrooms, avocados and bananas are extremely rich in potassium, which can help reduce muscle cramps and will aid in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, as well.

breakfast



FOODS THAT ARE NOT ADVISED TO BREAK THE FAST:
What you should not include:
  • Fried food items, fast foods, samosaz, pakoraz, spring rolls, pizzas, fried dumplings, French fries, and even our desi oily curry are not good to break your fast.
  • Deep frying reduces the natural water content in food and absorbs the fat your using as a cooking oil 90 folds more. No matter how health conscious you are and you do not buy oil without checking its nutrition label, in the process of deep frying you are converting unsaturated fat to trans fat which is difficult to digest and can cause heartburn.
  • Even if you are habitual of having such foods, you can consume it after few hours of breaking your fast to protect your liver being over work loaded or can have one piece at a time and eat the rest of them later.
  • Similarly, food in high sugar content like carbonated drinks and certain powdered and liquid beverages are also to be avoided in breaking fast. The reason is they are high in calories but low in nutritions and can cause bloating (gases) and indigestion. Also they can raise your sugar levels really high that are also unhealthy for your brain activities. 

fried food



HOW MANY TIMES YOU SHOULD EAT AFTER BREAKING A FAST?
Well it totally depends on your own body. What I do is I try to eat small meals and 3 times after fasting.
Usually I tend to eat dates, fruits and yogurt and water as my 1st meal, the iftaar.
Then, after 2 hrs I eat the veges/chick peas or whatever is available in home be it proper dinner. I try and eat little and then late night like 1 am or 2 am I go with a banana or an apple..
Meanwhile I drink lot’s of water. Your daily requirement of water should be 8 to 12 glasses or 3 litres in your eating window. You can keep a track by writing a name on your water bottle of 1.5 litre and drinking only from it or setting 8 to 12 alarms on your phone and drink 1 glass everytime it buzz.
In short, you have to decide how many times and what quantity suits you the best but make sure to avoid binge.

I hope this helps you in your upcoming iftaar. If you want me to update on some other health related topics, do follow my insta and fb page and leave a message straight in my inbox. These blogs are for you.
STAY BLESSED!
ramadan mubarak