Ramadan: Doctors in Oman advise light eating during Iftar

Muscat: Doctors in Muscat are already treating people for over-indulging during Iftar, and have warned Omanis not to gorge after fasting.
Ramadan usually means people eat more than they would normally, but the consequences can be grave.
Eating heavily and uncontrollably during Iftar, as well as the type of food eaten, could cause major complications, such as severe gastrointestinal problems, abdominal upsets, abdominal discomfort, bloating and acidity, among many other ailments.
“Nowadays, Iftar is something like a party and, especially in the first two to three days, some people cannot control their hunger,” said Dr Basheer, a specialist in Internal Medicine at the Badr Al Sama Hospital.
He added that he had to treat three patients on the second day of Ramadan as a result of over-eating on the first day.
Doctors advise fasting people to eat less and eat light as the body experiences irregular changes in the diet.
“The human body needs to adjust because you are changing your (meal) timing suddenly,” said Dr. Basheer.
Echoing his statement, Dr Mohammad, Internal Medicine specialist at Atlas Hospital said, “The body’s system changes during Ramadan, so we need to eat lighter food because our digestive system will be affected; so it needs lighter food.”
Dr. Mohammad said last year he had treated between 20 and 30 patients during Ramadan who had ate too much.
“When you start Iftar, eat two or three dates and drink a glass of water, along with soup. These are the ideal foods,” said Dr Mohammad.
Both doctors advised people observing Ramadan to eat light food when they break their fast, as well as to avoid oily and fatty foods, such as samboosa, biryani rice and large clumps of meat.
They also advised them to drink plenty of water during the night during summer.
Dr Mohammad said that people are also advised to eat light food during suhoor, 45 minutes to an hour before dawn, during which time the next day’s fast commences. He urged them to eat vegetables, chicken and fish in small quantities, as well as to drink a lot of water.