Drive against outlets as Ramadan nears

Al Ain: Display of food items on pavements and outside the premises of food outlets has been banned in Al Ain.

The measure has been reinforced by Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) just before the advent of Ramadan. Shopkeepers traditionally decorate their outlets and display food items during this month.

The authority has ordered all food outlets to follow health regulations.

"Such areas are hygienically not safe for food display," said Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaysa, head of the Communication Department at ADFCA. The ban covers the whole of Abu Dhabi emirate and an intensive inspection would shortly be launched, he added.

The authority, he said, has finalised necessary arrangements for inspections that would be done before the start of Ramadan, said Al Reyaysa.

People running restaurants and other food outlets must follow the guidelines to maintain their products as per the recommended quality and safety standards during Ramadan.

Convenience

Al Reyaysa said health and safety were the main concern of the ADFCA and all necessary measures had been taken to keep a close eye on the food outlets across the emirate.

The ADFCA, which was earlier functioning as a municipality department, has been functioning independently for the last several years and has streamlined food safety measures in Abu Dhabi.

Many food outlets encroach on pavements and surrounding areas. It helps the outlets to deal with customers as quickly as possible in the extra space.

Most of the customers usually buy food items just minutes before the iftar.

Food items such as fried delicacies and sweets are either cooked at makeshift kitchens or displayed at the shop extensions and temporary stalls. Indian and Pakistani delicacies such as pakoras and samosas are sold by cafeterias on the city's pavements. These are among the most popular snacks during Ramadan among Asian expatriates.

Dietician's advice: Dates are best to break one's fast at iftar

Breaking fast during Ramadan has traditionally been done with a few dates, some water or milk and a light soup. Today the advice still stands and is the best way to jump start the digestive system after a day's fasting.

With the iftar and suhoor meals so far apart, the metabolic rate drops - something a sweet date can boost quickly. According to Mitun Desarkar, dietician and general manager of Simply Healthy, dates spike up the sugar level in the blood and offer a revived feeling.

"Supplemented by sedentary lifestyles, the body's metabolic rate drops throughout Ramadan. Breaking of fast should be done with a few dates, followed by a soup and some pitta bread or crackers, to avoid weight gain. Healthy sugars are very important," said Desarkar.

Breaking fast with dried figs, apricots or a banana is also acceptable. Apples contain negative calories so eating and digesting one will use more calories than it actually contains.

Fried foods or sweets are not the ideal foods to eat to break a fast. After the Isha prayer, a more consistent meal could be eaten. It can be difficult to eat right however as many richer and fuller dishes make their way to the table.

"People like to prepare rich dishes and when they are all displayed on the table most tend to eat more. It's all part of the event though. For the main meal, lots of vegetables and salads, rocket salads, bell peppers and mushrooms would be good," she said. Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, pasta or whole-wheat bread should not be ignored.

"Grilled chicken breast, tuna or hammour, roasted or steamed vegetables are great for the main meals. Hommous is very good for you but people never realise how much bread they are eating with it. An alternative would be to eat it with carrot or celery sticks," she said.

Before going to bed a portion of yoghurt, a berry smoothie or a glass of milk provides calcium. For suhoor, low glycemic index foods or sustenance foods to give energy throughout the day like oats, bran cereal with high fibre content, whole-wheat bread, eggs or beans such as foul (broad) beans are recommended.

"Drink a lot of water," advises Desarkar to avoid gastritis problems. "Not eating all day creates a build up of gases in the stomach. Also avoid tea and coffee which are diuretic. And drink lots of water between iftar and suhoor."

- Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter