Fasting during Ramadan can have great beneficial effects on the body if it is done correctly.
To understand how best to break one’s fast, it is important to first understand what happens to the body when it undergoes a prolonged fast. Usually the body’s main source of energy is glucose which is stored in the liver and muscles. When we fast, it is the glucose that is used up first. After that, the body turns to its fat reserves to use as energy.
During Ramadan, the body’s energy source can be replaced during Iftar and Suhoor and the late-night meal. This prevents the body’s musculature from being damaged and even results in weight loss leading to better control of lifestyle-related illnesses. It also results in detoxification as the toxins stored in the body’s fat cells are also eliminated. In fact, according to experts, higher levels of endorphins in the blood after a few days of fasting makes one more alert.
It is important during Ramadan to break the fast with a balanced diet ensuring that the essential nutritional needs of your body are met. These include sodium and potassium which are lost due to sweating, especially during summer.
Breaking your fast with healthy foods:
When the fast is broken at Iftar, one must ensure that the meal contain fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, fibres, meat, fish (or other protein alternatives), milk and other dairy foods, and foods containing fat and sugar. Complex carbs like wheat, barley, wholemeal flour and quinoa release energy slowly and this helps one handle the fast better. Another essential ingredient to add to your menu for breaking the fast are fibre-rich foods like bran, cereals and seeds, vegetables such as green beans and almost all fruits, especially apricots, prunes and figs.
Another rule to keep in mind is to avoid heavily processed foods that contain refined carbohydrates (white flour and sugar), fatty foods (sweets, pastries and biscuits) and colas, coffees and tea as caffeine is a diuretic and causes the body to lose water faster due to increased urination. It is important to know that this rule applies no matter what your dosha is.
VATA TYPE
People with a Vata body type have a normal digestive system and can continue to eat a lot of items without risking any health problems or inconveniences. However, it is advisable to avoid items or reduce the intake of food items that are tougher to digest and assimilate in to the system, as the stomach acids are already in a state of upheaval due to the changed biological timings.
Foods allowed: Ghee, rice, wheat, banana, mango, pineapple, sweets, carrots, peas, sweet potato, black pepper, cumin, ginger, dry fruits and oats.
Avoid: Sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, rye, beans and red meats.
PITTA TYPE
Those blessed with a Pitta body type have a very strong digestive system and therefore can eat pretty much anything. If you are a Pitta body type, you may have an easier time than the other body types and not have to deal with heartburn or indigestion. This, however, does not mean that you eat whatever you feel like. Due to the change in the body clock, even those with a Pitta dosha have to pay attention to what they eat and what they don’t.
Foods allowed: Plums, cherries, grapes, watermelon, cucumber, brocolli, asparagus, rice, wheat, fennel, coriander and coconut.
Avoid: Fermented products like yoghurt, cheese, onion, garlic, tomato and corn.
KAPHA TYPE
Kapha body types tend to have a weaker digestive system and even bowel movement can be a problem, making them prone to weight gain. They have to be very careful about what they put into their body. Their systems don’t find it as easy to get rid of toxins as the other two doshas, leading to a host of problems.
Foods allowed: Barley, wheat, honey, chicken, turkey, apples, pomrgranate, ginger, cloves and cinnamon.
Avoid: All diary products, nuts, figs, dates, banana, sweet potato, rice, beef and mutton.
During Ramadan fasting, it is important to remember at all times that this is a time to exercise self-discipline and control over one’s behaviour, emotions and actions and this extends to the food one eats too.
Binu Sivan is a Dubai-based freelance writer
