Common mistakes in Ramadhan

Common mistakes in  Ramadhan:

1. Drinking "sweet colored drinks" on a daily basis

- Why: It contains high amounts of sugar, additives and colarants
- Solution: If you have to, drink it twice a week maximum

2. Drinking large amounts of water at iftaar time

- Why: Filling the stomach with water is more strenuous to it than with food.
- Solution: have a few sips at iftaar then a glass after every two hours.

3. Exercising directly after iftaar.

- Why: the body's blood flow is concentrated around the stomach at that time.
- Solution: Exercise after two hours of eating to ease digestion.

4. Chewing and swallowing food fast.

- Why: chewing food slowly can speed up digestion and help maintain your weight

5. Having dessert directly after iftaar

- Why: they make you drowsy and sleepy
- Solution: leave at least a two hour gap between iftaar and dessert to stay fresh and awake for ishaa and taraweeh prayers

6. Consuming foods with high amounts of sodium

- Why: Sodium triggers thirst through out the fasting hours of the day
- Solution: instead, eat foods that are high in potassium, they retain water and supress your thirst.

# Bananas are high in potassium. A banana at Suhoor time can control your thirst level through out the day.

# Best sources of potassium for Suhoor time:
- bananas
- milk
- dates
- avocados
- dried peaches
- pistachios
- pumpkin
- peas
- dark chocolate

# Worst choices for Suhoor:
- biryani
- kebab
- pizza
- fast food in general
- cheese
- haleem

# Best choices for Suhoor:
- potato
- rice
- dates
- whole grain bread
- banana

Please do not keep this reminder to yourself , share with your beloved brothers and sisters . Ramadan is coming

Anis Alam,
Consultant Nutritionist and CEO, Biocare Labs Pvt Ltd