JEDDAH: Around the world, Muslims eating habits and sleeping patterns change during Ramadan with the obligation to abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.

However, this sudden shift in routine needs to be handled carefully since our bodies are not used to this lifestyle.

Apart from spiritual advantages, fasting offers several health benefits. However, depending on ones health, every individual should adapt to this routine in their own way.

Several weeks before the holy month, people began circulating health tips on social media, including hints on weight loss, detoxification, ways to fight fatigue and dealing with bad breath.

Experts frequently warn people against blindly following online tips because of the health risk. In many cases, these suggestions lack scientific proof, and are accompanied by exaggerated claims and testimonials.

Arab News caught up with some health experts to discuss common misconceptions during Ramadan and asked them to provide helpful tips for healthy fasting.

People often view Ramadan as a chance to lose weight because tgheir food intake is lower than usual.

Dr. Mohannad Badghaish, a senior registrar in internal medicine, agrees that fasting can help shed extra weight and offers several guidelines.

Eat three balanced meals a day, including breakfast, dinner and sahoor. Each meal should consist of 30 percent protein, 15-20 percent fat and 50 percent carbohydrates, while also maintaining daily workout, he said.

Clinical and sports dietitian Sundos Malaikah advises against aiming for rapid weight loss, suggesting a gradual behavioral change that can be maintained during and after Ramadan.

Weight that is quickly lost will most probably be quickly regained. It is scientifically proven that such diets often fail. I always try to promote improving your relationship with food first, learning about hunger and satiety cues, while gradually changing eating behavior, she told Arab News.

People often adopt an all-or-nothing approach to changing habits, while taking things step by step is more sustainable and healthier, Malaikah said.

She suggests people avoid eating processed foods and rely on natural sources.

According to Malaikah, weight loss is simple if a person eats natural food and makes sure their food intake matches their energy needs.

Associating weight loss with less food is inaccurate, she said.

In a time where many people are worried about their health due to the coronavirus threat, fasting can help improve health when done properly.

However, an abundance of food and sweets not only prevents people from gaining the health benefits but also goes against the spiritual value of Ramadan.

Our immune system is quite complex and very powerful. There are no individual foods that will make it stronger. Unfortunately, that is a misconception. We can boost its fighting abilities by providing the right environment, which is staying physically active, getting enough high-quality sleep, managing stress and eating well, she said.

Badghaish also warned that excessive consumption of food has a negative impact on health and goes against Islamic teaching.

The Prophet Muhammad said: A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one-third of food, one-third for drink and one-third for air, he said.

Exercise is another important factor in weight loss, but there are conflicting opinions on the best time to work out during Ramadan and if it is wise to exercise while fasting.

Badghaish said that there is no harm in exercising while fasting, but for non-diabetics the best time to exercise is 60 to 90 minutes before breakfast/iftar.

Malaikah said that the benefits of exercising on an empty stomach are often exaggerated.

The claim we often hear is that our body is using our fat store for fuel. While that may be true, it doesnt mean fat loss. My body is using my fat stores for energy all the time simply because thats how it works. Using fat doesnt equate with losing fat, she said.

Therefore, the best time for a workout is whenever you can, and to lose weight you should watch your food intake.

Malaikah also offered a warning on detoxification diets or meals.

If our body had toxins in it, we would be lying in a hospital. Our body is equipped with strong mechanisms that detoxify and remove any harmful substances. No green juice will do that for you. Unfortunately, a lot of marketing tries to sell ideas that dont have much scientific evidence, she said.

If you want to make your body work at its best, do at least 150 minutes of cardio exercise during a week along with resistance exercises twice a week, and eat well and mindfully. Our bodies usually tell us when to stop eating and when to start. If we listened instead of continuing to eat while ignoring all these cues, our health would be better.

Many people usually experience headaches, fatigue, difficulties concentrating or doing our daily work while fasting, especially during the first days of Ramadan. Badghaish said that the main reason for these symptoms is insufficient compensation for the lost water and fluids from the body.

A man should drink about three liters of water per day, while a woman should drink 2.5 liters, he said.

Liquids that contain sugar are not recommended.

Caffeine also speeds up water loss, so its consumption should be reduced or avoided during Ramadan.

Bad breath may result from fasting due to lack of water and food for long hours, making one feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. However, it is possible to control the problem.

Malaikah said that certain types of food, such as spices, garlic and onions, can affect breath.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene helps brushing our teeth at least twice per day, using a mouthwash and flossing on a daily basis. Additionally, eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day often helps as well, she said.

Breath odor can be a sign of dental or gastrointestinal problems that might need expert help.

Among the causes of bad breath with the digestive tract are oesophageal reflux, high blood sugar and liver failure, Badghaish said.

While fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims, there are exemptions for those who are ill or whose health could be affected by fasting, for example, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with certain health conditions.

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JEDDAH: Around the world, Muslims eating habits and sleeping patterns change during Ramadan with the obligation to abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.

However, this sudden shift in routine needs to be handled carefully since our bodies are not used to this lifestyle.

Apart from spiritual advantages, fasting offers several health benefits. However, depending on ones health, every individual should adapt to this routine in their own way.

Several weeks before the holy month, people began circulating health tips on social media, including hints on weight loss, detoxification, ways to fight fatigue and dealing with bad breath.

Experts frequently warn people against blindly following online tips because of the health risk. In many cases, these suggestions lack scientific proof, and are accompanied by exaggerated claims and testimonials.

Arab News caught up with some health experts to discuss common misconceptions during Ramadan and asked them to provide helpful tips for healthy fasting.

People often view Ramadan as a chance to lose weight because tgheir food intake is lower than usual.

Dr. Mohannad Badghaish, a senior registrar in internal medicine, agrees that fasting can help shed extra weight and offers several guidelines.

Eat three balanced meals a day, including breakfast, dinner and sahoor. Each meal should consist of 30 percent protein, 15-20 percent fat and 50 percent carbohydrates, while also maintaining daily workout, he said.

Clinical and sports dietitian Sundos Malaikah advises against aiming for rapid weight loss, suggesting a gradual behavioral change that can be maintained during and after Ramadan.

Weight that is quickly lost will most probably be quickly regained. It is scientifically proven that such diets often fail. I always try to promote improving your relationship with food first, learning about hunger and satiety cues, while gradually changing eating behavior, she told Arab News.

People often adopt an all-or-nothing approach to changing habits, while taking things step by step is more sustainable and healthier, Malaikah said.

She suggests people avoid eating processed foods and rely on natural sources.

According to Malaikah, weight loss is simple if a person eats natural food and makes sure their food intake matches their energy needs.

Associating weight loss with less food is inaccurate, she said.

In a time where many people are worried about their health due to the coronavirus threat, fasting can help improve health when done properly.

However, an abundance of food and sweets not only prevents people from gaining the health benefits but also goes against the spiritual value of Ramadan.

Our immune system is quite complex and very powerful. There are no individual foods that will make it stronger. Unfortunately, that is a misconception. We can boost its fighting abilities by providing the right environment, which is staying physically active, getting enough high-quality sleep, managing stress and eating well, she said.

Badghaish also warned that excessive consumption of food has a negative impact on health and goes against Islamic teaching.

The Prophet Muhammad said: A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one-third of food, one-third for drink and one-third for air, he said.

Exercise is another important factor in weight loss, but there are conflicting opinions on the best time to work out during Ramadan and if it is wise to exercise while fasting.

Badghaish said that there is no harm in exercising while fasting, but for non-diabetics the best time to exercise is 60 to 90 minutes before breakfast/iftar.

Malaikah said that the benefits of exercising on an empty stomach are often exaggerated.

The claim we often hear is that our body is using our fat store for fuel. While that may be true, it doesnt mean fat loss. My body is using my fat stores for energy all the time simply because thats how it works. Using fat doesnt equate with losing fat, she said.

Therefore, the best time for a workout is whenever you can, and to lose weight you should watch your food intake.

Malaikah also offered a warning on detoxification diets or meals.

If our body had toxins in it, we would be lying in a hospital. Our body is equipped with strong mechanisms that detoxify and remove any harmful substances. No green juice will do that for you. Unfortunately, a lot of marketing tries to sell ideas that dont have much scientific evidence, she said.

If you want to make your body work at its best, do at least 150 minutes of cardio exercise during a week along with resistance exercises twice a week, and eat well and mindfully. Our bodies usually tell us when to stop eating and when to start. If we listened instead of continuing to eat while ignoring all these cues, our health would be better.

Many people usually experience headaches, fatigue, difficulties concentrating or doing our daily work while fasting, especially during the first days of Ramadan. Badghaish said that the main reason for these symptoms is insufficient compensation for the lost water and fluids from the body.

A man should drink about three liters of water per day, while a woman should drink 2.5 liters, he said.

Liquids that contain sugar are not recommended.

Caffeine also speeds up water loss, so its consumption should be reduced or avoided during Ramadan.

Bad breath may result from fasting due to lack of water and food for long hours, making one feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. However, it is possible to control the problem.

Malaikah said that certain types of food, such as spices, garlic and onions, can affect breath.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene helps brushing our teeth at least twice per day, using a mouthwash and flossing on a daily basis. Additionally, eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day often helps as well, she said.

Breath odor can be a sign of dental or gastrointestinal problems that might need expert help.

Among the causes of bad breath with the digestive tract are oesophageal reflux, high blood sugar and liver failure, Badghaish said.

While fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims, there are exemptions for those who are ill or whose health could be affected by fasting, for example, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with certain health conditions.

See more here:
Saudi Arabia keeping 'all options open' to deal with virus impact: Finance Minister - Arabnews

CTE is one of the few areas of public education that has consistent bipartisan support among federal lawmakers, and its also favored by the public in national education polls. Massachusetts is one of a growing number of states boosting its investment in CTE: In recent years, it has distributed more than $78 million in grants to help expand CTE programs, including more classroom seats to accommodate students training for high-demand jobs.

The district has the resources for Essex Tech to adapt relatively quickly to remote learning; the school provided students with laptops or iPads at the start of the academic year, and administrators say theyve been able to help families in need get access to mobile hotspots for internet service. The schools leadership team also put together a thorough blueprint detailing processes and expectations for students and staff while distance learning is the norm, something teachers and parents say has eased the transition.

Not every CTE school will have the same supports to fall back on, Jarrod Nagurka, a spokesperson for the national Association for Career and Technical Education, told me. But CTEs emphasis on creative problem-solving could help students and teachers adjust more swiftly to this new reality, Nagurka said. Were seeing an incredible amount of resourcefulness, he said.

Thats been the case for Massachusettss CTE community more widely, which has responded rapidly to the remote-learning situation, Kevin Farr, the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators, told me. Teachers from the states 56 vocational programs are sharing lessons, video lectures, and ideas for activities. Were going to provide a solid bank of online resources from all over the country, as well as the state, Farr said. We have to fill that gap until we can get our kids back to school, and back to the hands-on piece.

In the meantime, being forced to adapt to distance learning means that schools such as Essex Tech have a chance to reimagine how CTE is taught, which could be a boon for communities where the cost of building and outfitting specialized schools is an issue or for rural areas where in-person classes arent possible. Necessity does breed invention, and this situation were all facing certainly qualifies as necessity, Robin Lake, the director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education at the University of Washington, told me. Were very eager to watch what kinds of solutions people come up with and what kind of evidence we can collect to see which approaches work better than others.

For Benouardia, the Essex Tech freshman, the forced transition to remote learning has been both challenging and rewarding. Her classroom is now the two-story house that she shares with her parents, three siblings, and grandmother. The familys internet service has slowed down considerably with more people at home, and for some classes the workload is heavier than when school was open. There have been perks, too, such as setting her own schedule, and assignments like the litter survey. That was the best homework Ive ever had, Benouardia told me. I learned a lot from it about my neighborhood and the people who live around me. Thats going to stick with me.

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Shop Class, Over Zoom - The Atlantic