5 Unhealthy Eating Habits to Avoid in Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is the perfect timing to not only get closer to God and focus on our religious rituals but also address unhealthy habits and become more disciplined. Our relationship with food can sometimes be unhealthy, especially in Ramadan with the extensive iftar feasts and gatherings. Here are some of the unhealthy eating habits we all might be guilty of but need to avoid to have a healthier experience in Ramadan.

 

Overeating during iftar

When it comes to the moment of breaking the fasting, we are tempted by all the delicious food laid on the table in front of us. Of course, we don’t want you to stop enjoying the food you love, but beware, overeating will shock your body functions and organs after haven’t eaten for long hours. 

 

Eating too quickly.

No matter how hungry you are, you should eat slowly. You will not only take your time to enjoy the food and eat mindfully, but also you will be supporting your digestive system. Eating too quickly can cause heartburn and digestion problems. Additionally, you need to give enough time for your brain to send signals to your stomach that you are full; this process needs around 20 minutes before sending signals.

 

Eating too much greasy food

While greasy food on its own is bad for our health, consuming this type of food on an empty stomach is even worse. Greasy and fatty foods, besides resulting in weight gain, don’t give your body the nutrients it needs and causes digestive issues. Try as much as possible to have a balanced meal and warm up with dates, water, or a bowl of soup before eating heavy dishes.

 

Skipping sohour

You need suhour to give your body the energy it needs to for the next day of fasting. Your suhour needs to be enriched with fiber, protein, and vitamins to keep you full for the next day. You will notice that the choices you make for suhour will have a huge impact on how you feel the next day.

 

Consuming too much caffeine 

You might be wanting to make up for the cup of coffee you won’t have in the morning, but drinking coffee right before you sleep or during suhour will have a negative impact. Having caffeinated drinks before bedtime will affect your sleep quality and accordingly you will wake up with a bad headache from sleeping disorders. Additionally caffeine will make you feel thirsty the next day.