Apart from being a victory day for Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is also synonymous with a variety of mouth-watering Eid foods, from ketupat and chicken opor, rendang, to a variety of delicious pastries. Unfortunately, behind these delicious foods, there is a risk of disease that can attack if we consume them in excess.
Typical Eid dishes usually contain a lot of coconut milk, sugar and high fat and have the potential to cause a number of health problems if the consumption pattern is not regulated properly. What health problems can arise from excessive and unhealthy eating patterns during Eid? Check out the explanation below.
High cholesterol
Besides being produced by the liver itself, cholesterol also comes from fatty foods. Consuming too much fatty and coconut milk food on Eid day, such as chicken opor, rendang, liver fried chili sauce and other Eid foods, can trigger high cholesterol.
Excessive amount of cholesterol in the blood can be dangerous because it will accumulate on the walls of the arteries. This buildup can cause narrowing and obstruction of blood flow in the arteries so that it can increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
Even so, that doesn't mean you can't eat typical Eid food at all. It is better to consume your favorite Eid food in small or small portions, then stop immediately if your stomach is full. Before eating, try to fill your plate with the foods you really want to consume in the amount that suits your needs. When you're done, move the empty plate away from you to prevent you from taking more food. You can also fill your stomach by drinking a glass of water to prevent yourself from experiencing false hunger.
Diabetes
You must be familiar with a variety of delicious Eid cakes used as snacks while chatting with guests and family. Even so, actually Eid cakes, such as nastar cakes, cat's tongue, snow white and others, have a high enough sugar content so that when consumed they can increase blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Therefore, it is best to limit the consumption of Eid cakes so as not to overdo it.
In addition, it's a good idea to balance these sweet foods with foods that can help maintain blood sugar levels, such as foods that contain chromium and alpha lipoic acid. Chromium, which is found in yeast, mushrooms, dried beans, asparagus, and seeds, can help regulate blood sugar levels. Then, alpha lipoic acid contained in spinach, broccoli and potatoes can help convert glucose into energy. By consuming these foods, blood sugar levels in the body tend to be more balanced.
Hypertension
Red meat dishes on Eid, such as rendang, satay and curry, if consumed in excess, can trigger high blood pressure (hypertension). Severe hypertension can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, and fatigue. If left unchecked, hypertension can also increase the risk of heart disease. Therefore, you should not consume red meat dishes excessively and balance these intakes with consuming vegetables and fruit so that your stomach is filled with healthier foods.
So, those are the health problems that can arise if you leave a healthy diet during Eid. Even though food is abundant, try to keep control over what you consume so that your body is always healthy and Eid al-Fitr stays smooth. #LiveExcellently