Sunny Health

Ramadan, the fasting month for our Muslim friends has concluded recently. With holiday moods still in swing and delicious festive goodies being sold everywhere, it is hard to not have a desire to fill oneself up with as much delicacies as possible, especially considering how delicious Malay cuisine is. I've always had great admiration for my Muslim friends to fast. In a food paradise like Singapore, restricting one's diet is a practice that calls for sheer determination.

In Indonesia where the country is largely populated with Muslims, however, the festive spirit seems to have been dampened by visits to the doctor. There have been reports of spikes in clinic visits for binge eating and over-indulging in heavy foods.

Over-eating once in a while is hardly anything to shout out. It happens with the occasional gathering, party and holiday when you just have no excuse (or don't want to have an excuse) to eat only in moderation. But when you're binging after a lull period for your digestive system, it can be extremely harmful.

During a long period of dieting, or if you've always had a habit of eating light foods, your body will adjust to suit your needs. Metabolism slows down to conserve energy, and it will continue to do so for a period of time after that unless you change your lifestyle, to which your metabolism will be altered appropriately.

But the changes to your lifestyle must be applied gradually, or you would not be able to adjust adequately, thus prompting problems to occur. Take exercise for example. If you haven't been exercising regularly, but suddenly go on a 10km marathon, your body will not be able to take it. You may develop breathing difficulties, you may develop cramps, and you may just faint from exertion.

Similarly, if you exert your stomach, problems will occur. Consuming huge levels of food, especially unhealthy, savoury, fatty dishes, can cause sudden increases in blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. These can lead to weight gain, indigestion, bowel problems and heart burn. For those with illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes, over-eating multiplies the toll these illnesses already have on your body.

No doubt, one shouldn't be a spoilsport and reject delicacies when the occasion calls for it. But practise moderation, eat only as much as you can eat without feeling sick, exercise off the fats, and down the guilty pleasures with hot Chinese tea or green tea. which promote digestion and detoxification. Only then can you truly enjoy the festivities for a prolonged period of time.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ramadan-fast-indonesians-eat-vengeance-151638205.html