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United Arab Emirates, Dubai, August 1, 2013: The Dubai Health Authority held its fourth live twitter clinic today from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to discuss foods that help boost energy levels during the last week of fasting and ways to avoid overindulgence in Eid. The aim of this initiative is to provide a platform for people who are fasting to raise their queries with regard to health and receive immediate responses from experts. Ghanim Lootah, Acting-Director of Institutional Marketing and Communications at the DHA said: “A panel of nutritionists from the DHA addressed queries that were raised during the live twitter clinic. One of the important topics discussed was tips to avoid overindulgence in Eid Al Fitr which is particularly important for diabetics.” Dr Wafa Ayesh, Director of Clinical Nutrition at the DHA said: “Diabetic patients have to follow the exact regiment given by their dietician to prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Diabetics should avoid high Glycemic Index (GI )foods such as simple sugars and white bread and go for low GI foods such as complex carbohydrates as well as eat plenty of vegetables.” She said diabetics in particular need to exercise restraint when consuming celebratory sweets and snacks during Eid Al Fitr. “During Eid Al Fitr, people go from house-to-house to visit their relatives as part of the Eid tradition. I recommend that they either politely decline to eat sweets or they should only have a bit or two. This will prevent an elevation in the sugar levels. Consumption of excessive sugar not only elevates the sugar level but also causes gastrointestinal problems.” She said diabetics have to be particularly cautious to avoid sweets during Eid and for diabetics a healthy dessert option is either one bowl of fresh fruits or a dessert made with low fit milk and low amounts of natural sugar. Ayesh provided nutritional tips for breaking the fast on Eid Al Fitr. “On the first day of Eid, break your fast with a date & laban. After your prayers start your breakfast with juice & then have your traditional Eid breakfast in moderate quantities.” She added: “It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realize that food has been consumed & it then sends signals the rest of the body. So breaking your fast with laban and dates helps channelize this signal to the brain and prevents overeating.” She added that during Ramadan people do the taraweeh prayers which are a form of exercise as well, so during the Eid break they should up their activity level to burn off the excess calories consumed. The next DHA twitter clinic will resume after Eid and will address several health related issues on a regular basis.
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