Abu Dhabi: Whereas they’re staple a part of the eating regimen all year long, dates acquire elevated prominence within the UAE throughout Ramadan.
The nutritious fruits are usually not solely the begin to most worshippers’ iftar meals but in addition part of many desserts historically ready in the course of the holy month.
However why are they such an indispensable a part of Ramadan meals?
Emulation prophetic observe
Not solely do they develop broadly within the area, with the UAE alone producing 160 styles of the fruit, however its consumption additionally emulates the observe of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
“Dates have been certainly one of Prophet Muhammad’s favorite and most desired meals gadgets. It’s customary in lots of international locations for Muslims to interrupt their quick on the time of iftar by consuming dates as it’s [considered to be a] blessed observe based mostly on the [example] of Prophet Muhammad,” mentioned Dr Nisar Ahmed Bathoolunnisa, supervisor of dietetics on the Sheikh Shakhbout Medical Metropolis (SSMC).
So whereas it isn’t obligatory to start out the iftar with dates, it’s most popular observe. Prophet Muhammad would reportedly begin his iftar with three dates and water.
Dietary advantages
There are additionally further nutritious advantages of consuming dates.
“Along with their nice style, dates comprise protein, nutritional vitamins and minerals. When consumed sparsely, dates also can contribute important vitamins, reminiscent of potassium, magnesium, iron and manganese. They’re additionally excessive in polyphenols, that are antioxidant compounds that defend the physique from irritation; dates comprise extra polyphenols that the majority different fruit and veggies,” Dr Bathoolunnisa defined.
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Sugar substitute
As well as, the fruit can act as an alternative choice to empty-calorie sweets, and dates can subsequently be a pure sugar substitute in desserts.
“Dates can fulfill an individual’s candy tooth whereas additionally offering important vitamins, reminiscent of vitamin B-6 and iron. They’re additionally excessive in fibre, which helps individuals really feel full for longer,” Dr Bathoolunnisa mentioned.
Really helpful sorts
Given their significance within the Center Jap eating regimen, there are usually not solely all kinds of dates out there within the UAE but in addition many alternative types of the principle date. Nonetheless, the uncooked and dried kinds are the healthiest, quite than dates preserved in sugar, dates filled with nuts and different fillings, chocolate-coated dates, date pastes, date balls and date-based desserts.
The fruit may be eaten by individuals of all ages, together with infants aged seven to eight months outdated onwards.
Parts for diabetics
As well as, it is usually protected for diabetics when eaten sparsely.
“Individuals with diabetes ought to be aware of their whole sugar consumption when consuming dates. However consuming dates sparsely is unlikely to lift an individual’s blood sugar excessively. In response to a examine revealed within the Diet Journal in 2011 by researchers on the UAE College, dates have been discovered to have a low glycemic index, which implies that they don’t end in important will increase in blood sugar in individuals with or with out diabetes,” Bathoolunnisa mentioned.
“Individuals with diabetes can probably eat a serving of two to a few pure dates at a time but it surely additionally really helpful to hunt the recommendation of a dietitian. Alternatively, a 100-gram serving, or a handful of dates per day, is the optimum consumption for individuals who wouldn’t have diabetes,” she suggested.
For reference, three unsweetened dates are equal to at least one portion of fruit, and so they comprise 70 energy.
Who ought to eat dates
Due to its myriad advantages, the fruit is really helpful for extra than simply the fasting Muslim.
“Muslims rub softened dates on the lips of a new child, as demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad, and this has been proven to assist forestall hypoglycaemia and ache. They’re additionally wholesome and protected throughout being pregnant, and are additionally really helpful for the aged as a result of they forestall constipation, anaemia and different micronutrient deficiencies,” Dr Bathoolunnisa mentioned.
Minimise sweets
The dietitian additionally urged residents to minimise their consumption of candy meals in the course of the holy month.
“In Ramadan, individuals additionally enhance their consumption of candy meals, which isn’t really helpful for his or her wellbeing. Consuming practices ought to stay the identical as different days, apart from the instances to eat. Individuals ought to usually chorus from overeating, and keep away from an elevated consumption of sweets, as that may result in severe well being issues,” Dr Bathoolunnisa mentioned.
