Be Sure to Try This Detox After the Holiday

Derya Fidan, Nutritionist and Dietician at Istanbul Okan University Hospital, states: "There are several points to consider when transitioning from the extended fasting period of Ramadan and the two-meal eating pattern to a normal diet." Fidan offered recommendations regarding detoxification to help people get through the holiday healthily. During Ramadan, our metabolism slows down, and when accelerating it during the holiday, there are points to observe to protect against digestive problems that may occur. When transitioning from extended fasting and a two-meal eating pattern to a normal diet, we should first avoid overeating. The variety of breakfast spreads that greet us on the morning of the holiday and the sweets offered during family visits throughout the day should be approached more carefully, given their impact on our digestive system and blood sugar levels.

A Good Breakfast Is Very Important

At the long-awaited breakfast tables, not loading up with food all at once, chewing food thoroughly and eating slowly will prevent indigestion. A breakfast consisting of cold vegetables such as cheese, olives, eggs, tomatoes and cucumbers will leave you feeling full and refreshed. For the rest of the day, to be able to eat sweets offered during family visits, avoid choosing sugary foods (jam, honey, molasses) at breakfast.

Pay Attention to the Fiber Content of Your Meals

You are not obligated to eat every food offered during visits. You should find ways to decline without offending. Acting on the thought "I haven't eaten for a month anyway" can lead to disappointment after the holiday. When eating during and after the holiday, pay attention to the fiber content of your meals. When selecting your foods, to avoid constipation problems, add vegetable dishes, legumes and fruits in a balanced way. Instead of syrup-based sweets, milk-based sweets will make digestion easier. Instead of the chocolate you eat, make an effort to choose dried fruits along with hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts. Your water consumption and physical activity throughout the day will help you get through the holiday without problems. During the Ramadan and holiday days we spend in the summer months, we should consume at least 2.5 liters of water daily to prevent water loss.

Detoxification to Accelerate Metabolism

From the holiday onward, you should return to your previous routine by establishing a pattern of 3 main meals and 2 snacks, and focus on increasing your metabolism rate again. If you finished Ramadan with extra weight, you can follow a detoxification program that will help increase your metabolic rate. Here is the program that you can follow for three days starting from the holiday or immediately after, which will help you lose an average of 2 kg:

Morning;

• 4 tablespoons of yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of oats
• 1 slice of pineapple or 10 strawberries
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and nigella seed

Mid-Morning;

• 1 cup of white tea
• 10 hazelnuts or 10 raw almonds

Lunch;

• 120 grams of meat / chicken / 4 meatballs / 200 grams of fresh fish grilled / baked / boiled
• Seasonal salad (without pomegranate molasses and corn)
• 1 glass of mineral water

Snack;

• 1 glass of plain kefir
• 10 raw almonds

Dinner;

• 1 large bowl of detox soup (recipe below)
• 1 bowl of yogurt
• Abundant seasonal green salad (without pomegranate molasses and corn) (olive oil / avocado oil / coconut oil can be used)

Evening;

Add 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar to 1 glass of warm water and drink. Additionally, make sure to consume 2 cups of green tea and 3 liters of water throughout the day.

*Detox Soup Recipe:

2 zucchini + 2 cloves of garlic + 1 onion + 1 carrot + 1 tomato + 2 tablespoons of green lentils + parsley + dill + a pinch of salt: should be cooked with 2 cups of water. Can be blended if desired and consumed without pieces. This soup can be flavored with cumin and black pepper.