Some Health Guidelines for Sherullah al-Moazzam

During the holy month of Sherullah al-Moazzam, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible.

The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Sherullah is an ideal time to normalize one's weight.

In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fiber containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.

• Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, beans, lentils, whole meal flour,

• Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc.

• Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, chapatti (brown flour), grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, , marrow, spinach, and other herbs like methie, fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, dates, figs and prunes, almonds, etc. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heartburn, and weight problems. AVOID

• Fried and fatty foods.

• Foods containing too much sugar.

• Too much tea at sehri. Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day. EAT

• Complex carbohydrates at sehri so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.

• Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food.

• Dates are excellent source of sugar, fiber, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.

• Almonds are rich in protein and fiber with less fat.

• Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates. .

Fatigue is one of the complaints during fasting
(Why you should consume potassium rich foods during fasting days).

Your body is well stocked up on food in the fatty tissues and the liver has a moderate supply of glucose to compensate for fasting .

Unfortunately, it will not be released into the bloodstream if there is a deficiency of potassium in the blood.

This is why you are recommended to have foods rich in potassium. Foods rich in potassium are:

Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.