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Amman
- The month of Ramadan witnesses a desire among fasting people to eat sweets to give them energy, but they may carry certain warnings, especially for those who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol. What are the most prominent recommendations for eating sweets in this holy month?
Sweets and diabetics
Internal medicine specialist Dr. Khaldoun Abu Al-Rub said that first, the diabetic patient’s ability to fast must be confirmed by his doctor, before the beginning of the holy month.
Abu Al-Rub, who holds the German Board of Internal Medicine, explains that some cases of diabetes cannot fast, such as those whose blood sugar is very high and not under control, or those who have other diseases associated with diabetes, such as kidney failure and diabetic foot.
Dr. Khaldoun Abu Al-Rub: A diabetic patient - as well as a healthy person - should not exceed one piece of candy per day, deducting it from his total caloric intake (Al Jazeera)
Abu Al-Rub added - in special statements to Al Jazeera Net - that after that, whether a diabetic patient can fast or not, he must pay attention to the sweets he eats, because they contain large amounts of sugar, which leads to a rapid rise in the patient’s blood sugar.
Ramadan sweets - such as kunafa, baklava, basbousa, and others - are rich in fats and calories, and this may lead to weight gain if a person eats a large amount of them.
In general, the internal medicine specialist recommended that a diabetic patient - and also a healthy person who does not suffer from diabetes - not exceed one piece of candy per day, deducting it from his total caloric intake.
An example of this is one piece of maamoul, or 50 grams of kunafa, or a small piece of basbousa, etc.
As for patients with high cholesterol, Abu Al-Rub stressed the need to adhere to taking medication, and to reduce or completely avoid sweets made with saturated fats, such as ghee, butter, and cream.
Calories
Nutritionist Raghad Al-Sharayri points out that people accept sweets more during the month of Ramadan, and therefore it is necessary to pay attention to some of the nutritional values associated with them, especially for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and those who follow diet plans.
She explained - in statements to Al Jazeera Net - the calories of some Ramadan sweets, as follows:
Kunafa: A 100-gram piece of Kunafa contains 260 calories.
A piece of grilled walnut qatayef with artificial sweetener: contains 130 calories.
A piece of fried walnut qatayef with regular sugar syrup: contains 330 calories.
A piece of grilled cheese with artificial sweetener: contains 100 calories.
A piece of fried qatayef with regular sugar syrup: contains 300 calories.
Blackjack: 3-4 pieces, weighing approximately 30 grams, containing 105 calories.
Baklava: One piece contains about 100 calories.
Harissa: A 55-gram piece will give the body approximately 150 calories.
Basbousa: 60 grams in weight, the size of a large piece, contains 170 calories.
Cheese Halwa: 50 grams weighs about 150 calories without sugar.
A piece of maamoul with dates: weighs 30 grams and contains approximately 125 calories.
A piece of maamoul with walnuts or pistachios: weighing 30 grams, contains the equivalent of approximately 140 calories.
3 pieces of barazek: contains approximately 170 calories.
Nutritionist Raghad Al-Sharayri: Research has linked high consumption of fried sweets or fried foods in general to an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes and heart and arterial problems (Al-Jazeera)
Health problems associated with fried sweets
Specialist Raghad Al-Sharayri explains that it has been proven that oil in the frying process reaches high temperatures, and this temperature affects food materials, and some substances may be produced due to heating fats and oils, such as acrylamide, which there are concerns that may lead to damage to the genetic material DNA. .
She noted that research has linked high consumption of fried sweets or fried foods in general to an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes and heart and arterial problems.
Eat moderately
Nutritionist Aya Al-Saifi explains that Ramadan sweets contain sugar, such as syrup, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cream, butter, ghee, cinnamon, dried apricots, and dates.
She indicated - in an interview with Al Jazeera Net - that it is preferable to eat Ramadan sweets in moderation (a maximum of one piece per day) and within the recommended daily calorie limits, because sugar raises the level of glucose in the blood quickly, which may lead to weight gain and increase the risk of disease. Such as diabetes and heart disease.
The best time to eat sweets
Specialist Al-Saifi emphasizes that it is preferable to eat sweets after a large meal or one rich in protein and fiber, because this will help reduce the rise in blood sugar levels, and the presence of protein and fiber can slow down the process of sugar absorption.
Can sweets be eaten during suhoor?
It is preferable not to eat sweets during the suhoor meal, according to Al-Saifi, because they contain sugars and fats that may increase blood sugar levels quickly, leading to a rapid rise and then a sudden drop in the energy level.
She believed that it is best to eat foods that contain balanced amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and fats during the suhoor meal, to maintain energy and feel full for a longer period during the day.
Source: Al Jazeera