Ras Al Khaimah, August 10: Awareness programs aimed at promoting proper diet and eating habits during the holy month of Ramadan are being conducted by the Ras Al Khaimah Medical District in coordination with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Auqaf (GAIAA).
The campaign is titled ‘Your health is important to us’.
Families living in remote areas of Ras Al Khaimah are being advised to eat high-fibre meals at suhour, which stay in the stomach for long, delay the hunger pangs and control diet-related ailments such as ulcers, diabetes and obesity, said Mahrat bint Swarah, director of health education and information, RAK Medical District.
In the workshops, dietitians and health officers educate the public about the importance of proper feeding which involves a good balanced diet for both the children and adults.
“Parents are also reminded about their role in protecting themselves and their children against obesity and diabetes by reducing the consumption of fast foods, including snacks, in their daily meals. People are also educated about the easy ways of treating diabetes,” she added.
Mahrat said that the dietitians advise people not to eat large quantities of fried foods, such as samosas and fried chicken after breaking their fast.
“Bread, bran flakes, fruits and vegetables such as green peas, marrow are good sources of fibre which dieticians recommend for sohour meals because they can stay many hours in the stomach,” said Mahrat.
Health officers are carrying out blood tests on villagers for various diseases, including diabetes.
She noted that the recent health survey carried out in Ras Al Khaimah schools revealed that 4385 students from primary and secondary schools were suffering from diabetes and the majority of the children were from families living in remote areas of the emirate.
-Agencies