With Ramadan just days away, with its explosion of desserts, it becomes difficult easy to maintain your weight and control your temptation. The holy month is all about food and gatherings. From creamy food to sugary desserts that leave you craving more. We try to do our best at times, yet, we eat and eat. It’s certainly hard, and that’s why we’ve collected some helpful tips and tricks from nutritionist Nour El-Ganzoury, who studied nutrition at Oxford Brookes University. Her tips will help you stay in shape, and guide you for weight maintenance throughout Ramadan.
General tips
We all know the two famous and important tips to keep in mind. Drink lots of water, and stay away from any refined sugar. Additionally, El-Ganzoury told us to “stay away from dried fruits, creamy sauces, as well as fried food. Instead, you can bake the food in the oven as it would be lighter for your stomach.”
Also, she emphasized that it is better to limit our juice intake because of its high sugar content. But that’s not all as she suggested that “overeating fruits is also not good for your health. They begin to lose their health benefits once eaten in huge amounts due to their high levels of sugar.”
Ramadan fetar tips
El-Ganzoury suggests that “it is beneficial to try to make it as a routine and start with a salad and/or soup. Then wait for at least an hour or so. After that, eat your main meal, which should include complex carbs, healthy fat, and certainly protein.” This is called a balanced meal according to El-Ganzoury. Apparently, the break you take between the soup and the main meal will help you not to overeat, and might even help you to feel fuller faster.
Ramadan sohour tips & options
As for sohour, El-Ganzoury highly recommends “drinking lots of water, staying away from salty snacks or food, as they will keep you dehydrated, and consuming only natural sugars.” She also advised staying away from spicy food and coffee, as they will greatly dehydrate your body. What can you eat instead? Well, she recommends either greek yogurt, eggs, dark chocolate, green veggies, cottage cheese, and food with high water content like cucumbers or peaches.
To sum up El-Ganzoury’s perspective on nutrition, we can say that she prioritizes both mental and physical well-being. One of her most popular quotes is: “the most important thing is that you are healthy and your mental health is in a good place…not that you are starving and you’re always on edge and anxious about your weight.” So it’s not about limiting the food you eat, instead, it’s about being confident in your nutritional plan and being able to adjust yourself to a healthier lifestyle.
Last tip everyone. Don’t forget to move and exercise throughout Ramadan too.