Eid is a moment that is eagerly awaited by all Indonesian people. After fasting for a month, now is the time to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with family and friends. Not only when breaking the fast, delicious and varied food and drinks are also a special attraction during Eid. However, we often forget the importance of maintaining health when eating at this moment. The following are some tips for eating healthy during Eid that you can apply.
Make a Meal Plan
Making a meal plan is an important key to maintaining our health during Eid and after Eid. Making a meal plan can prevent excessive weight gain after Eid. You can try reducing food portions, and increasing vegetables and low-fat protein. Also make sure to eat small amounts but often.
Don't Skip Breakfast
During Eid, we often feel very hungry and enjoy the delicious dishes served on the dining table too much. However, it's best not to skip breakfast because this can make it easier to feel hungry and overeat at lunch or dinner. A healthy and filling breakfast can help you control your appetite and maintain your health.
Choose Healthy Foods
When eating during Eid, choose foods that are healthy and low in calories. Try to avoid foods that are fried and full of sugar. Try to choose a balanced menu, by increasing vegetables and protein and reducing portions of rice and carbohydrates. Don't forget to taste food in small portions and enjoy it slowly.
Reduce Sugar Consumption
Sweet foods and fizzy drinks are foods that are often favorites during Eid. However, consuming too much sugar can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It's best to reduce sugar consumption by choosing drinks that are low in sugar and avoiding too many sweet foods.
Drink enough water
Water is very important to maintain our body's health. Apart from helping to quench thirst, water also helps remove toxins from the body and maintain fluid balance in the body. During Eid, make sure you drink enough water every day, around 8-10 glasses per day.
Avoid Overeating
When eating with family or friends, make sure not to overeat. Try to limit the portions of food you eat and don't forget to enjoy each bite slowly.
Consume Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit such as oranges, apples or grapes can be a healthy snack alternative during Eid or Eid al-Fitr. These fruits contain fiber which is good for health and can help increase fiber intake for our bodies.
Exercise Regularly
Apart from maintaining a healthy diet, exercise is also very important to maintain our body's health. Try to exercise regularly, such as walking or running, every day for 30 minutes. By exercising regularly, our bodies will remain healthy and fit even though during Eid we eat a little more than usual.
Those are some tips for eating healthy during Eid that EMC friends can apply. Happy Eid and don't forget to take care of your body's health!
Article written by dr. Elyanawati, Sp.PD (Specialist in Internal Medicine at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).