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The holy season of Eid Al-Adha is upon us again and with it comes the usual joy, happiness, and of course, traditional animal sacrifice. Although the Coronavirus pandemic has put quite the damper on our summer traditions this year, Eid Al-Adha is, thankfully, one of the few things that survived the mighty grip of quarantine and panic.

As we all know, Eid Al-Adha is famous for its meat-based feasts which are held on the first day of Eid Al-Adha as a religious symbol to the redemption of prophet Ismail ‘peace be upon him’ when his father prophet Ibrahim ‘peace be upon him’ spared him and sacrificed a ram instead, as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

So on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, Muslims around the world perform the Eid prayer, then sacrifice either sheep, goats, or any form of cattle. This sacrifice is usually followed by the distribution of meat among family members and acquaintances, however, the meat is mainly distributed among the poor and needy.

As big and special of an occasion as it is, one can’t ignore or just skip the Eid Al-Adha feasts and gatherings, but what exactly do these feasts entail?

Eid A-Adha’s menu of foods includes biryani mutton, lamb meat, lamb kofta, caligi mutton, kebab reshmi, shami kebab, kabsa, mandi, and more fatty yet delicious plates!

So what about the calories you stand to gain eating Eid Al-Adha foods?

Yes, we know that Eid al-Adha is a very special occasion and it would never be the same without all of its special meat-based foods and feasts. However, one thing that we all must remember is that if we don’t pay attention to our nutrition habits during this season, we could easily end up overeating, which could lead to several health issues in the short run and the long run. So while enjoying yourself and indulging in the delicious goodies of Eid Al-Adha, you have to do your best to stay fit and healthy throughout this risky season. To help you do that, here are some tips that will not only help you maintain your weight during Eid but also keep you feeling healthy and better than ever:

Nutritional Tips to follow during Eid Al-Adha:

1. Avoid Fried Meats

If you are planning to eat meat this holiday, try eating it in a boiled or roasted form and avoid eating oil or fried meats because this increases the calories and saturated fats in your daily food intake. For example, kebab is an excellent food option for eid because it is low on said saturated fats, so try to focus on grilled foods during this season.

2. Go for a walk after dining

Dieticians and doctors suggest that one should finish the last meal two hours before bedtime. After eating, you can go for a long stroll for about 30 minutes to make sure you have digested your food within the time before bed, and then you can go to bed easily feeling lighter and more comfortable. This habit is a true game-changer in the long run as well not just during Eid, so try to keep it up.

3. Drink Green Tea

If you already know that you will be invited to several family feasts during Eid and therefore, will not be able to avoid eating meat, try to include healthier habits in your overall routine to balance out. For example, try to drink a glass of lemon juice or green tea after eating to help support your metabolic rate. You can also drink red tea, but make it sugar-free.

4. Avoid Soft Drink

Studies have shown that soft drinks have highly harmful effects on overall health such as obesity, so avoid drinking soft drinks on Eid Al-Adha days and try replacing them with fresh fruit juices.

5. Take at least a 6-hour break between meals

Studies have shown that the gap between two consecutive meals must be at least 6 hours, especially on the days of Eid Al-Adha in order to give the stomach a rest and enough time to digest, which will, in turn, help feel lighter and more active, and will also help with weight control.

6. Avoid heavy gravy and fat-saturated foods

Instead of fat-saturated soups and foods, choose meals that contain a little oil and do not contain fresh fat, cooking creams, and/or ghee.

7. Opt for a big plate of salad

Prepare it without creamy sauce and include vegetables that fill the stomach and make you feel light and energetic, such as cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, and so on.

8. Don’t skip out on fruits

Fruits are your best friend during this holiday, aside from being rich in fibers and will help keep you full for longer periods, it also helps satisfy our craving for sugar with a healthier alternative. However, even with fruits, moderation is still key, so make sure not to overeat from fruits such as mangoes, figs, and grapes because they are full of calories.

Nutrition Tips for After Eid Al-Adha:

After Eid is the time when the guilt starts kicking in, so you’ll want to confront it fast and efficiently, and here is how:

9. Avoid Canned Goods

Avoid ready-made packages for foods that include biscuits, wavers, ice cream, fast soups, chips, soft drinks, etc. Replace them with natural juices or fruits.