Avoid eating too much sweets during Eid, UAE diabetics told

High blood-sugar levels can lead to serious health issues for people suffering from diabetes, such as poor blood flow to internal organs and dehydration.

ABU DHABI // Diabetics are being warned to avoid too many celebratory snacks as fasting turns to feasting this Eid Al Fitr.

Muslims with diabetes should refrain from overindulging in sweets that could send their blood-sugar levels sky-high, leading to serious health issues such as poor blood flow to internal organs and dehydration.

"The duration of Eid is a time of celebration and joy. And with any joyous occasion, we tend to celebrate with treats and sweets," said Dr Hamed Farooqi, the director of Dubai Health Authority's diabetes centre.

"But after a month of fasting and having nothing during the days, we are suddenly exposing our body to a sugar overload."

Dr Farooqi said diabetics have to show the same restraint they have shown during the holy month when offered sweets during family celebrations.

"Show some inner strength," he said. "Either politely refuse to take sweets or do not eat it at once.

"Take a bit and keep the rest. Do not overload your system and pace yourself."

Dr Farooqi said the body takes time to adjust after fasting when it has been "turned upside down" from digesting three meals a day normally to food being consumed at irregular hours.

He advised people to return to their pre-Ramadan lifestyle but to pay particular attention to diet and medicine.

"When the sugar in the blood goes, the kidneys try to get rid of that sugar out of the system," he said. "In order for the kidney to flush out the sugar, it will use the water in the body.

"This can lead to serious dehydration, which is a massive concern."

Dr Farhana Bin Lootah, of Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, said a sudden rise in sugar levels must be taken seriously as it is very dangerous for the body.

"Over the long term, for those living with diabetes, there is an increased risk to the heart and this is especially so when high levels of sugar are consumed," she said.

"Indeed, some studies have shown that high blood-glucose after a meal is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular risk. The higher the glucose, the higher the risk."

Dr Lootah said diabetics should watch out for symptoms including frequent urination, blurry vision, low concentration and nausea.

"High blood-sugar levels can result in various complications, including coma," she warned.

Fatima Sadek, a dietitian at ICLDC, said diabetics with a sweet tooth can indulge - as long as it is in very small portions and eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, combined with exercise.

"Delicious but often unhealthy foods generally form part of the Eid Al Fitr festivities," she said.

"But remember that a healthy treat can be just as tasty as any sweet."

She recommended adding a squeeze of lemon in water and opting for a fruit salad rather than a sugary desert.

Dr Wafa Ayesh, director of clinical nutrition at DHA, said Muslims should break the fast with a date, start breakfast with juice and have a traditional Eid breakfast in moderate quantities.

"It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realise that food has been consumed and it then sends signals the rest of the body," she said.

"So breaking your fast with laban and dates helps channel this signal."

Diabetics have to be particularly cautious to avoid sweets during Eid, she said, and choose a healthy dessert instead, such as either one bowl of fresh fruits or a dessert made with low-fat milk and low amounts of natural sugar.

"Diabetic patients have to follow the exact regiment given by their dietitian to prevent hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia," she added. "Diabetics should avoid high Glycaemic Index foods such as simple sugars and white bread and go for low GI foods such as complex carbohydrates, and eat plenty of vegetables."

She said that, during Ramadan, Muslims perform Taraweeh prayers, which are a form of exercise, so during the Eid break they should increase their activity level to burn off the excess calories.