As people prepare for the upcoming festive season, Director of Dietetics and Nutrition at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Reem Al Saadi has stressed the importance of making healthy food choices during Eid Al Adha. 

While the upcoming festivity, Eid Al Adha, is also known as "The Feast of Sacrifice," and food is a prominent part of the celebration, it is also important to remember not to consume it in large quantities that may affect good health.

Al Saadi has urged the public to opt for healthier food options and avoid consuming too many sweets, confectionaries, and traditional foods. According to her, these items should be viewed as a special treat and eaten in moderation.

With Eid Al Adha around the corner, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Ms. Reem Al Saadi, Director of Dietetics and Nutrition, is reminding residents about the importance of making healthy choices during the upcoming festive season.https://t.co/9OGLkNzDd8? pic.twitter.com/gt71KAbQAZ

— Hamad Medical Corp. (@HMC_Qatar) August 6, 2019

Overeating can lead to gastric issues such as nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, and indigestion, which require emergency treatment.

"It is important to make healthy food choices this Eid, particularly for those with existing health conditions,” Al Saadi cautioned. 

People who have health conditions such as diabetes or heart ailments are urged to be particularly cautious about what they eat during the Eid period. They should try to limit their intake of refined carbohydrates and fatty foods, as well as foods that are rich in salt and caffeine, Al Saadi said. 

Those with nutrition-related health conditions are advised to eat smaller portions throughout the day and choose healthier food choices during meals and snack times.

They should include whole fruits, vegetables, and legumes in their daily meal plan, Al Saadi added. 

She further said that while Eid is an occasion to enjoy different kinds of foods, it is essential that one is mindful of the portion size of the foods being consumed. 

She said many of the traditional foods eaten during Eid Al Adha contain a lot of red meat, which is high in cholesterol and saturated fat. These should be enjoyed in moderation, Al Saadi said. 

Al-Saadi encourages those celebrating the occasion to make healthier choices when preparing meals, for example by using a smaller portion of fat when preparing traditional foods or even replacing animal fat, like butter, with olive oil.

She also recommends removing the skin and fat from meat and chicken before cooking and limiting the consumption of salt, fried foods, and sauces.

“Try using honey or date syrup instead of sugar or sugar syrup, and opt for whole wheat flour instead of white flour. Select low-fat milk instead of full-fat milk and experiment with baking dishes like sambousek, which is traditionally fried," Al Saadi recommended.

"Small changes can go a long way in helping you, and your family, stay healthy," she added.

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