Can Ramadan be a cause of weight gain and obesity?

هل رمضان سبب في زيادة الوزن والسمنة؟

Can Ramadan be a cause of weight gain and obesity?

If we look for a short answer to this question, the answer will be no, but if we looked behind the reason why the holy month is associated with obesity, we will find many reasons and habits that we practise which can significantly cause weight gain and obesity!

Ramadan is a season full of intent and gatherings for iftar meals which exposes many people to eating large quantities and increases their feeling of gluttony and the consumption of many sugars and calories.

The interruption of sugar intake during the fasting period encourages binge eating of sugars and meals rich in calories to compensate for hunger and loss resulting from fasting.

Drinks such as dates with milk and other juices served on tables are among the most prominent sugary substances that cause obesity, along with foods rich in fat and calories, which also contribute to obesity.

How can we avoid obesity in Ramadan?

Always start from the kitchen and whoever is responsible for preparing food, whether the wife, mother or even anyone. It is essential to make sure that meals are cooked healthily and using small amounts of fatty materials such as oil and butter, beside relying mainly on cooking healthy methods like grilling, roasting, and boiling, and avoiding the unhealthy methods such as frying, trying to maintain a balance in the nutrients in the meal, where the meal must ensure a sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and fresh herbs, also, try to use low-calorie protein sources such as fish and chicken.

Are there other ways to avoid obesity in Ramadan?

Of course, there are many ways to avoid weight gain during Ramadan, where the most prominent of which are our eating behaviours.

Eating slowly and at intermittent intervals is one of the best ways to avoid overeating and obesity, as eating slowly helps to send signals to the brain to indicate that you feel full and satiety. Also, drinking water increases the metabolic rate and the feeling of satiety and fullness and thus reduces the need to eat. Remember that avoiding eating a lot of sweets and counting calories before eating contributes significantly to preventing obesity, besides exercising continuously, even if for a short period, especially in the period after Iftar until the time of Suhoor


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