After fasting for a month during Ramadan, a celebration is finally due and it comes in the form of the greatly-festive Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This celebration is not just culturally festive but also religiously significant in Islam.
It is reflected in the various prophetic traditions that specifically recommend or instruct the usage of perfume, the adornment of the best attire, and congratulating others for their month-long fight against their natural desires.
While a special feast is to be expected across all cultures, Malaysians take it to a greater and longer extent. Open houses may open up to seven days, some even for the whole month.
The feast ranges from lontong, ketupat with rendang, nasi impit with kuah kacang and more. Sweet drinks such as air sirap are compulsory, as well as biscuits, pastries, and other snacks of multiple choices. Whatever it is, all of these are laden with carbohydrates.
For those with diabetes, navigating through the plethora of high-carbohydrate foods is a nightmare for their blood sugar control. It is significantly understandable that the temptations are high.
Socially and psychologically, to retract from these communal feasts will be a letdown for everyone involved. However the options are, people with diabetes should not be anxious or abstain from celebrating the wonderful occasion together.
In the Raya spread, protein options such as ayam masak merah, daging rendang and so on are available. You may load up on these sources to ensure satiety and therefore to avoid the self from overeating or reaching out for more snacks - but beware to control the fatty and oily gravy.
Depending on the spread, fibre options could also be available in the form of fruit platters, or vegetables in the form of kuah lodeh and some may even offer vegetables such as cucumber or ulam on the side.
Despite all of the precautions, the celebration of Raya Aidilfitri in Malaysia is not a celebration without the indulgence of the biskut raya.
Technically, one could limit themselves to an appropriate portion for their blood sugar control, but we dietitians know that life isn’t just about longevity and health. It’s also about love, relationships, family, and enjoyment!
As with other things in life, some decisions are about compromise, and celebrating Eid with a grand and communal feast is no exception. For all the remaining days one has in a year, excuse yourself momentarily for a few days during the festive season, and just enjoy the feast, however, you may like it.
But of course, even in letting yourself loose, some boundaries have to be set lest you let yourself loose to the point of no return. Use those extra calories and energy for some walking evening sessions in the park with your loved ones.
Take a walk from one open house to another instead of using a car, provided that it’s within an acceptable distance of a common village setting.
Load up on the protein to give some good recovery for your body and most importantly, limit yourself to at most three days of feasting and keep your heads up for the longer term of your health by resuming your diet afterward.
For more information on credible nutrition advice, please visit www.dietideas.com.my.
This article is written by Diet Ideas Service Manager & Dietitian, Mohd Siddeq Azha Azahari.