Al Rayhan Medical Complex, a state-of-the-art medical centre located in Al Markhiya in Doha, Qatar offering a host of Day Care Surgeries including ENT, Dentistry and Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Internal medicine, will soon launch a Nutrition and Sliming Department.

The head of the soon to be launched Nutritional department at Rayhan Medical Complex, Victoria Hakim, who holds an MBA in Dietetics and Public Health, offers tips to stay healthy this Ramadan. She says: “Fasting has great benefits for the body. While we are fasting, our body gets rid of big amounts of toxic elements and that helps to increase our immune systems. In addition to that, the body uses the stock of fats and glucose to transfer it in energy sources.” Also, she adds, “when the body is on fasting the liver doesn’t stock fats, so it helps to reduces the rates of cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood”.

Hakim provides an overview of keeping fit and healthy during the holy month as well as recommended eating habits for a healthy Ramadan below.

When to eat:

After a long day of fasting, many people may want to eat quickly and a lot. The stomach is not able to sustain a lot of food as the stomach shrinks. Explains Hakim: “It is recommended to break the fast with some water, so the stomach gets ready to receive food, then three dates and some hot soup.” After this small meal is taken, it is recommended to have a small break before eating a big meal. The main meal can then be taken, she adds. “This should contain meat, fish or chicken, in addition to salads and some carbohydrates, like oats or whole grains cereals bread or pasta.”

Exercise:

During Ramadan many people may be concerned about exercising and whether keeping fit is sustainable during the holy month where many may stop exercising completely and others may decide to do some lighter activities instead of weight training. Says Hakim: “The best time for working out during the holy month is certainly before Iftar with some light sports activities, where the person has no health issues such as blood pressure issues or Diabetes, as our body burns more calories and easily more fats in short period when we are fasting in a quick and efficient way.”

Another concern for health conscience people during the fast is that they may lose muscle mass due to unhealthy menu plan and shorter training periods or not training at all. Says Hakim: “These people should preserve a high level of protein in their meals and to well divide in 3 meals between sunset and sunrise, to eat for example a meal every 3hours with a focus on all sources of protein such as dairy products, legumes, meat, chicken and fish and sea food.”

Staying hydrated:

A major concern for fasters during the holy month is dehydration with many opting for a sugary drink when breaking their fast, but Hakim advises against this: “Avoid processed drinks and coloured industrialized juices because they are saturated with sugar and contain high amounts of calories. I advise people to go for fresh juices and most importantly drink a lot of water in Ramadan between Iftar and Suhour.”

Smoking:

Lastly, if smokers are not willing to use the fast to completely quit, Hakim recommends exercising to reduce the need for nicotine as this increases oxygen flow to the body. She says: “In addition to exercising, drinking a lot of water is also recommended for smokers between Iftar and Suhour.”

Victoria Hakim is a member of the Syndicate of Dietitians in Lebanon with eight years of professional experience, and a Registered and Licensed dietician in Lebanon and Qatar.

Rayhan Medical Complex will soon launch is nutrition and sliming department which will focus on best practices for a healthy body including weight loss programmes, weight gain programmes, nutritional programmes for pregnant and breast-feeding mothers and the latest sliming machines and devices to help more our patients for a better result.

Rayhan Medical Complex also includes 10 outpatient clinics with majority Medical specialties of Dental, Dermatology, ENT, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Internal medicine. In addition, there is a much sought-after radiology department equipped with the latest X-ray and CT Scan equipment, which provides high-resolution images with a low rate of harmful radiation. In addition to medical Laboratory offering comprehensive range of medical tests.

For further information, contact 4433 5400 or visit http://www.rayhanmedical.qa

Cover image courtesy of Rayhan Medical Complex

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