The holy month of Ramadan will be missed dearly, but Eid is a time of celebration for adults and children alike. Everyone is all dressed up in new beautiful clothes. We can have a morning cup of coffee and visit friends and relatives, and children will receive gifts and money. Just be careful not to gain too much weight this Eid. Our bodies need to slowly readjust from fasting to eating three simple meals a day. This year, greet Eid with the resolution of staying healthy in mind. Overindulgence in sweets and skipping breakfast are unhealthy Eid habits. Skipping a light breakfast makes you hungry, so at family gatherings when served desserts, you will most likely eat more than you should. Eat a light breakfast in the morning: a couple of dates with a cup of milk or green tea, or any piece of fruit or a slice of toast with cheese or yogurt. Breakfast gives you an energy boost to start your day and decreases your cravings for sweet foods. Instead of giving sweets and candies to children to cheer them up this Eid, you can give away small gift bags you filled with treats like: balloons, cars for boys and toy jewelry for girls, a tape of Islamic songs, and stickers. Kids will be delighted to receive such inexpensive gifts and they will not damage their teeth with candy and chocolate. Most people put on a kilogram or two in the first week after Ramadan, but you don't have to be one of them. Set a good example for your friends and relatives by serving non-fattening foods. You can buy delicious dates, pitted and filled with almonds or crushed corn flakes. Date-filled cookies are lower in fat than the pistachio and nut-filled varieties. Bake a home- made cake using less butter and sugar rather than buying desserts. Make a fruit salad by adding a vast array of fresh fruit. Flavor it with freshly squeezed orange juice, rose water, and orange blossom water. Fruit salad satisfies your sweet tooth, is rich in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and fiber and is free of fat and white sugar. Stay away from soft drinks. Choose fresh fruit juice, carrot juice, licorice drink, green tea, or water. Most families enjoy dining out for lunch or dinner during holidays. Eating frequently at restaurants can lead to weight gain. If the dishes served are large, share yours with your partner to avoid overeating. Do not order French fries, fried chicken or fish, or any dish prepared with a rich creamy sauce. Select grilled meats, side dishes of salads and hummus and mixed vegetables. Refrain from eating heavy meals late at night when digestion is slower. Hopefully your holiday will be a happy and healthy one. __
