'I combine fasting and dieting during Ramadhan'

'I combine fasting and dieting during Ramadhan'

Ramadhan, the Muslim fasting month, has been going on for two
weeks. Every afternoon, many vendors sell tajil (snacks for
breaking the fast) at traditional markets or busy places in
residential areas. Many hotels and cafes also offer special menus
for breaking the fast. The Jakarta Post talked to some people on
the issue, raising the question of their expenditure during
Ramadhan and eating tajil to break the fast.

Irma, 27, is an activist in a non-governmental organization.
She lives in South Jakarta.

My expenditure during Ramadhan might increase slightly because
on weekdays my colleagues and I usually break the fast together.
We buy snacks like fried tofu, fried soybean cake and kolak
(banana or other fruit sweetened in coconut milk) or something
else.

Each person brings snacks in turn, so I don't really feel the
increase anyway.

As for main meals, I just eat as usual.

Apart from food, I spend more in preparations for the Idul
Fitri holiday like buying a ticket home and gifts for my family
in my hometown.

Maya, 27, works at PT General Electric in Jakarta. She lives
in a rented house in Mampang, South Jakarta, with her friend:

I've saved more money this Ramadhan because I've combined
fasting and dieting. I eat only once a day now, in the afternoon
to break my fast.

I've been on this diet for only two weeks and have already
lost 2 kilograms.

Warti, 30, is a mother of one who comes from Jombang, East
Java. She works in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta:

I spend more during Ramadhan because when we break the fast,
we want to eat delicious food. Tajil is expensive.

Sometimes I make kolak or mung bean porridge and take it to
the mosque. It's for people who come to the mosque for taraweh
(evening prayers during the fasting month).

It's more expensive, but it's OK because it's only once a
year.

-- The Jakarta Post