anonymous nurse

Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, fruit helps reduce toxins and protects the body against diseases and illnesses.


EATING fruit should be a daily habit. If you have yet to include fruit in your daily meals, Ramadan may be the perfect time to start. If you normally eat a large meal during sahur (meal before dawn) or breaking fast, make an effort to eat at least one serving of fruit before these meals this year. Fruit contains fructose, a natural sugar which the body turns into energy. Those who fast for more than 12 hours need to boost their energy level.


Fruit also contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that help reduce toxins in the body. Prince Court Medical Centre dietitian Tan Yen Sing says that while eating fruit alone during sahur and breaking fast will not give the body all the nutrients it needs, it will at least keep you from consuming large unhealthy meals before or after fasting. The best way to recover your energy after more than 12 hours of fasting is to eat at least three dates and drink a glass of water. Dates, rich in carbohydrates and dietary fibre, will boost your energy after fasting. “After that, you should consume a well-balanced meal that contains carbohydrate, proteins and vegetables,” “For sahur, you can have any serving of fruit. The more types of fruit you eat the better off you will be. All fruit contain fructose that will give you energy.


They also have potassium that will keep fluids and minerals balanced in your body.” Tan says nectarines, peaches and plums contain Vitamins A and C as well as iron. Langsat and rambutan also contain fructose and natural vitamins. “Fruit can help protect against diseases and illnesses.
You need to eat at least three servings of fruit daily. And you need to mix it up, you cannot eat only apples or oranges the whole day because you need nutrients from other types of fruit,” says Tan, adding that it is not advisable to eat only fruit during sahur or breaking fast because the body needs a balance of nutrients.






“You need to have carbohydrates and proteins in your diet and you must also drink lots of water.


“Do not sleep immediately after eating.
Although you only eat fruit, they contain carbohydrates and if you go to sleep immediately after that, you will put on weight.” Tan says fruit should be eaten fresh when the vitamin content is at its highest. It will lose nutrients if left in the fridge for more than a week.