ABU DHABI // Diabetics are being warned to avoid too many celebratory snacks as fasting turns to feasting this Eid Al Fitr.
Muslims with diabetes should refrain from overindulging in sweets that could send their blood-sugar levels sky-high, leading to serious health issues such as poor blood flow to internal organs and dehydration.
"The duration of Eid is a time of celebration and joy. And with any joyous occasion, we tend to celebrate with treats and sweets," said Dr Hamed Farooqi, the director of Dubai Health Authority's diabetes centre.
"But after a month of fasting and having nothing during the days, we are suddenly exposing our body to a sugar overload."
Dr Farooqi said diabetics have to show the same restraint they have shown during the holy month when offered sweets during family celebrations.
"Show some inner strength," he said. "Either politely refuse to take sweets or do not eat it at once.
"Take a bit and keep the rest. Do not overload your system and pace yourself."
Dr Farooqi said the body takes time to adjust after fasting when it has been "turned upside down" from digesting three meals a day normally to food being consumed at irregular hours.
He advised people to return to their pre-Ramadan lifestyle but to pay particular attention to diet and medicine.
"When the sugar in the blood goes, the kidneys try to get rid of that sugar out of the system," he said. "In order for the kidney to flush out the sugar, it will use the water in the body.
"This can lead to serious dehydration, which is a massive concern."
Dr Farhana Bin Lootah, of Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, said a sudden rise in sugar levels must be taken seriously as it is very dangerous for the body.
"Over the long term, for those living with diabetes, there is an increased risk to the heart and this is especially so when high levels of sugar are consumed," she said.
"Indeed, some studies have shown that high blood-glucose after a meal is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular risk. The higher the glucose, the higher the risk."
Dr Lootah said diabetics should watch out for symptoms including frequent urination, blurry vision, low concentration and nausea.
"High blood-sugar levels can result in various complications, including coma," she warned.
Fatima Sadek, a dietitian at ICLDC, said diabetics with a sweet tooth can indulge - as long as it is in very small portions and eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, combined with exercise.
"Delicious but often unhealthy foods generally form part of the Eid Al Fitr festivities," she said.
"But remember that a healthy treat can be just as tasty as any sweet."
She recommended adding a squeeze of lemon in water and opting for a fruit salad rather than a sugary desert.
Dr Wafa Ayesh, director of clinical nutrition at DHA, said Muslims should break the fast with a date, start breakfast with juice and have a traditional Eid breakfast in moderate quantities.
"It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realise that food has been consumed and it then sends signals the rest of the body," she said.
"So breaking your fast with laban and dates helps channel this signal."
Diabetics have to be particularly cautious to avoid sweets during Eid, she said, and choose a healthy dessert instead, such as either one bowl of fresh fruits or a dessert made with low-fat milk and low amounts of natural sugar.
"Diabetic patients have to follow the exact regiment given by their dietitian to prevent hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia," she added. "Diabetics should avoid high Glycaemic Index foods such as simple sugars and white bread and go for low GI foods such as complex carbohydrates, and eat plenty of vegetables."
She said that, during Ramadan, Muslims perform Taraweeh prayers, which are a form of exercise, so during the Eid break they should increase their activity level to burn off the excess calories.
jbell@thenational.ae
The five pillars of Islam
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2
Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')
Barcelona 0
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director: Tim Miller
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
