“Lebanon Debate” – Samar dies
Eid is not a time for harsh calorie calculations, nor is it an occasion to deprive oneself of the moments of joy that families expect every year. Between the delicious smell of maamoul, the enjoyable meal of lunch, and the hospitality of coffee and delicious desserts, beautiful details are hidden that should not turn into a source of worry or guilt.
Between the desire to enjoy Eid foods and the fear of gaining weight, many fall into the trap of deprivation or excess, while balance remains the simplest and most realistic solution. A healthy relationship with food is not based on prevention, but rather on balance, especially during Eid. Hence, many questions arise about the best way to deal with Eid foods and sweets. How can we enjoy them without deprivation or excess? How do we maintain a healthy balance without losing the joy of the occasion?
No to feeling guilty
Nutrition expert Darine Fanous tells Lebanon Debate: First of all, we must forget the feeling of guilt about eating, because this feeling in itself prevents us from enjoying. Let’s enjoy the atmosphere. If we have an invitation to lunch at home or abroad, we can eat a normal breakfast, while lunch is the main meal that we enjoy, and dinner is light. The important thing is that the whole day does not turn into continuous eating, and in this way we can eat the meal we like without overdoing it.”
Who said that Eid maamoul and its sweets are forbidden? In the opinion of the nutritionist, “it is possible to eat one piece of sweet or something to eat on the day of Eid. The important thing is moderation,” pointing out that the common mistake is to eat sweets on every visit or guest. “I am not saying that we should never eat, but for example, it is possible to suffice with one maamoul during the day, so as not to eat too much Arabic sweets.”
Between hunger and excess!
One of the most common mistakes committed during the holidays is starving themselves before the feasts. Some people abstain from eating while waiting for lunch or dinner, which later prompts them to eat large amounts of food. Therefore, Fanous advises maintaining light and regular meals during the day instead of reaching “a state of extreme hunger.”
The second mistake, according to Fanous, is overeating, whether by eating large amounts of sweets and foods without paying attention.
Stay away from harsh regimes
Regarding how to return to a healthy diet after the end of the Eid, Fanous confirms that she is against following harsh systems, or what is known as a “strict diet,” with the aim of losing what was eaten during the Eid days in a period of only three or four days, considering that the best solution is “a gradual return to the normal routine,” that is, eating a breakfast that consists of labneh, cheese, or eggs with oatmeal bread, toast, or “rice cake,” then a fruit snack, and that the food should include proteins and carbohydrates in moderation and salad. Then a snack, and then a light dinner similar to breakfast. Fanous stresses drinking a sufficient amount of water, that is, about two liters per day, in addition to walking or exercising at a rate of 10,000 steps, or about 45 minutes of exercise, three times a week, and if we can daily, that would be better.”
Returning to a balanced lifestyle that includes good sleep and organizing a daily routine is essential. The diet varies from one person to another and must be customized, says Fanous, but “in general, balanced meals can be adopted that contain protein, fiber, and moderate amounts of carbohydrates, while gradually reintroducing fruits and healthy snacks.” She concludes by emphasizing that “maintaining health during Eid is not based on deprivation, but rather on moderation and awareness, because enjoying the occasion is an essential part of psychological and nutritional balance.”
