6 ways to stop binge eating during iftar

Been struggling during taraweeh? Or perhaps moving from your chair post iftari? You’re not alone. While Ramazan is all about practicing restraint and incorporating good habits into our lives, over-eating during this month is a fairly common phenomenon.PHOTO COURTESY: STELLARHEALTHCLINIC

Over-eating never has been and never will benefit anyone; not only does it makes you feel sluggish and deplete you of energy, it is also a serious health risk.

Dr Magdi Mohamed; a specialist in emergency medicine at the Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi told the Arabian Business that an estimated 30 per cent of their daily patients in Ramazan are suffering from over-eating related conditions, some of which are admitted for intensive treatment.

Dr Ali Al Lawati, a heart specialist from Oman - where there has been a 15 per cent rise in people ending up in hospital emergencies during Ramazan – explained: "More people suffer health problems during the month of Ramazan than at other times due to food binging. Those who have high cholesterol, risk heart attacks while the ones with higher than normal blood pressure or sugar can suddenly collapse and die."

Since this isn’t what Ramazan is all about, here’s how to avoid over-eating during iftari.

1. Think of the purposePHOTO COURTESY: DISILLUSIONEDDAD

Ramazan is all about practicing restraint, committing to good habits, providing and sharing with the less fortunate and more. Setting personal targets to achieve by the end of the month help one focus on more than the dinner table and keep the food longings in check.

2. Sleep on timePHOTO COURTESY: TIMESONLINE

If you want your brain to win the battle between the brain and the belly, sleep on time! Not getting enough sleep can affect the ability of certain hormones which maintain the body’s caloric requirement to function improperly thus, causing excessive eating

3. HydratePHOTO COURTESY: TOTALHEALTHRESONANCE

Our bodies often confuse thirst with hunger, making us reach for a snack when we really need to reach for a glass of water. Make a mental note to have at least two glasses of water at sehri to avoid the excessive hunger around iftari time.

4. Eat MindfullyPHOTO COURTESY: TIMESCITYCONTENT

Eating too fast barricades the signals from the digestive system indicating that you are full and you end up eating way more than the body’s requirement. Therefore eat slowly savoring every bite.

5. Think charityPHOTO COURTESY: SHAREMINISTRIES.ORG

Get involved in social initiatives during Ramazan; helping people out, giving to charities and other acts of giving which can be spiritually fulfilling and keep the mind in check.

6. Spend time with family

Ramazan is a beautiful time to spend with family and focusing on mending and strengthening relationships. Organising iftaris and sharing food is a wonderful way to go.