Major celebrations may jeopardize diet programs

Major celebrations may jeopardize diet programs

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Three major holidays -- starting from Idul Fitri, Christmas to
New Year -- not only foster togetherness with families and
friends but also present the opportunity to indulge in good food.

Each of the three events has its own special dishes but they
all are high in calories.

Muslims celebrate Idul Fitri with dishes like sambal goreng
hati (spiced liver in coconut milk), rendang (meat stewed in
coconut milk with chilies and spices) and opor ayam (chicken
cooked in coconut milk) served with ketupat (rice wrapped in
woven palm leaves).

Christians celebrate Christmas with creamy cakes and other
rich, buttery main courses. Not to mention cookies prepared for
the three occasions.

The festivities, which have fallen in the same month for the
last three years, make people lose control over eating habits and
most complain of weight gain afterwards.

"After Idul Fitri, I usually gain up to three kilograms. I
can't stop eating as I really enjoy the food. It's never easy to
turn down relatives when they ask you to eat although you're
already full," groaned Ito, a young businessman. He also expects
to gain weight after the New Year celebration.

Tia, who is a not a Muslim, has a similar experience, as she
cannot resist the temptation of enjoying the food during Idul
Fitri gatherings with her relatives. She also considers weight
gain during major holidays an annual phenomena.

But Pauline Endang, a nutritionist at Jakarta Hospital in
Central Jakarta, warned that people must limit their intake
although it is permissible to indulge during major holidays.

"Breaking the (diet) rules for one or two days is OK as long
as they don't lose control and return to their diet program after
the celebration," she said.

But the exception does not work for people with diabetes, high
cholesterol and heart disease as they must strictly follow
doctor's orders and their diet program.

Apart from a significant weight increase, Pauline warned that
eating too much during the holidays would lead to discomfort like
bloating, stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation and even mild
headaches and sleeping problems.

"When we eat, the food stays in our stomach for about three
hours before it moves to the intestine. Eating too much will
burden our digestive system and trigger the discomfort," she
said, "... and without self control, the excessive eating may
continue and become a new eating pattern."

Pauline urged party-goers to only consume fruits and
vegetables and to avoid hidden fat, sugar and salt which usually
are found in desserts and drinks (even fruit-based drinks). It is
advisable to avoid or limit the consumption of deep-fried food
and other meals cooked in coconut milk as well as buttery and
creamy sauces.

Dieters are also urged to avoid nibbling while chatting as
they may not realize how much food they eat during the
conversation.

Apart from that, people also need to brush up on their social
skills to turn down food offered by the hosts.

"Some people can't say 'no', fearing they might disappoint the
hosts. These people often eat out of politeness," Pauline said.

Fasting Muslims can take up the religious ritual during and
after the fasting month of Ramadhan to adopt healthier eating
patterns.

People can also adopt the tradition of fasting every Monday
and Thursday to start a new diet program, while others are
advised to adopt a balanced diet and eat moderately with a ratio
of 60 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent fat and 20 percent
protein.

Pauline said it was also important to ensure that the new diet
fulfills the daily nutritional requirement.

"The key is to eat variety so the required nutrition can be
fulfilled from various sources," she said, stressing the
importance of exercising at least three times a week to maintain
stamina.

By doing so, the annual merriment would not jeopardize their
diet program.