Dr Ayaz Safi, Lecturer and the Co-Course Leader for MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Westminster, was interviewed on BBC Pashto about how to maintain a healthy and nutritious diet during Ramadan.
The interview, which forms part of a series for the whole month of Ramadan titled 'Ramadan and Health', touched on several topics such as what people should eat during Sehri, which is the meal consumed early in the morning by Muslims before fasting, and Iftar, which is the meal taken by Muslims at sundown to break the daily fast during Ramadan; what people should avoid eating during Ramadan; and healthier alternatives for meals in order to maintain a good diet.
Speaking about foods that people should avoid eating during Ramadan, Dr Safi said: “Some of the things you need to reduce or avoid are salt, caffeine, sugars, and processed foods. When preparing meals for Suhur [the same meal as Sehri], it is important to ensure you avoid too much salt as this will dehydrate and make you thirsty during the day.”
He continued: “Caffeine should also be avoided as although caffeinated drinks contain water, they can have a diuretic effect, increasing the body’s production of urine, which can lead to dehydration. It is also important to avoid processed foods and those with added sugars because they have a relatively low nutrient density and are linked with increased risk of infection.”
Watch the full interview on the BBC Pashto YouTube channel.
