Ramadan is best time for practicing mindful eating and an opportunity to reset healthy habits that last beyond holy month. Fasting is a superb opportunity to strengthen our digestive system and help adjust our glucose and cholesterole levels.
At iftar, the desire to overeat your favourite or rare Ramadan dishes can be overpowering, a lot of times after fasting, you are so hungry that you just start stuffing your face, but then afterward you can't even move. Having a moderate and balanced iftar is important to avoid blood sugar spikes and poor digestion.
Tips for Mindful eating during Ramadan
Slow down
Slowing down can be a challenge after long hours of fasting, but chewing slowly during meals helps in digestion and makes you fuller fast. When you eat quickly, it’s hard for your body to recognize that it’s full — your brain can’t keep up and fools you into believing you’re still hungry. When you slow down and chew, on the other hand, your brain lets you know to stop eating sooner so you don’t overindulge. You’re also more satisfied when you finish, making you less likely to snack in between. See, more enjoyable meals are a big deal!
Pay attention your food
Inhale the wondrous aromas, think about the variety of flavours on your tongue, and savour each bite with a heart full of awe and gratitude. Switch off all electronics, put phones in the sock drawer and be fully present with the food (and people around you too).
Add variety
Focus more on foods that will both satisfy and nourish your body. Mindful eting is about inclusion of all food groups like carbs, protein, healthy fats and fruits and vegetables.
Keep yourself hydrated
Eating hydrating foods during iftaar and suhoor is another great way to keep your body hydrated. Try to add soups, smoothies or fresh fruits like watermelon, grapes, strwaberries in your both meals.
Take Home Message
I believe that mindfulness with eating begins before we actually even start to eat. It begins with the foods we purchase, how we prepare and where our thoughts wander while we eat. Mindful eating helps to lessen food waste and prevent common ailments such as poor digestion and bloating.
The Sunnah of what we eat, the amount we eat and how we eat should be essential to our daily lives, and not just Ramadan. Let’s begin this practice today, Insha Allah!
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