Nutritionist lists benefits of fasting

Nutrition expert has said that nutrition-induced diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer can be prevented with fasting as body has the opportunity to rest for a whole month.Delivering a paper, entitled: Nutrition during Ramadan in Ilorin, a nutritionist and acting head, department of Home Economics and Food Science, University of Ilorin, Dr. (Mrs) Ramota Karim, said that fasting had a lot of benefits, even on physical level.'Fasting affects our body in many positive ways. The body undergoes quite drastic change from receiving food and water on a regular basis to not receiving anything for an extended amount of time.'The food we eat is like fuel; it gives our bodies the energy they need to function well. Our health depends on the sum total of the many small decisions we take each day on our life style and type of food we eat', she said.The don, who is also the Ameerah of the Nasrullahi L- Fathi, (NASFAT) Tanke, Ilorin branch, also said that fasting could be tough, and therefore, advised that, "it is important to get the right nutrition at night and in the morning."To remain healthy during Ramadan and after, it is important to compound your meal within balance diets.'Do not eat too much at a time, either to break (iftar) or commence (sahur) fasting. On the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.' Karim, therefore, advised observers of fasting, saying, 'While the nutritional, medicinal, physiological and psychological benefits of fasting are numerous; maximise these benefits by appropriate nutrition and moderation of your entire food intake.
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