Ministry of Health Warns of the Dangers of Excessive Sweet Iftar Meals, Triggering the Risk of Diabetes and Obesity

Wed, 25 Feb 2026, 22:39 WIB | By Putri Rosmalia | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Social Policy

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has urged the public to maintain a balanced diet when choosing iftar meals during Ramadan 2026. The availability of a wide variety of foods should be approached wisely to avoid overconsumption.

The Head of the Nutrition Task Force of the Directorate of Family Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Yuni Zahraini, reminded that the recommendation to break the fast with sweet foods still has limitations. According to her, uncontrolled consumption of added sugar can trigger various serious health problems.

Yuni explained that sweet drinks such as syrup, sweet tea, or packaged drinks often trigger a surge in daily sugar intake. If not balanced with calorie control and physical activity, the excess energy will be stored by the body in the form of fat.

In addition to sugar, high-fat foods that are popular during iftar are also a concern for the Ministry of Health. “High-fat foods such as fried foods, thick coconut milk, and fast food can increase calorie and saturated fat intake,” said Yuni in a dialogue in Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2/2026).

In the long term, an erratic eating pattern during Ramadan risks increasing:

The Ministry of Health refers to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards regarding the limits of daily sugar consumption. Here are the details:

It is important to note that these limits apply to added sugars such as granulated sugar in syrup, cakes, and processed foods, not natural sugars found in whole fruits or milk.

The Ministry of Health hopes that the momentum of Ramadan 2026 can be a starting point for Indonesian families to improve their eating patterns towards healthier and more sustainable habits. (Ant/H-3)

There is a tendency for people to choose sweet foods and drinks when breaking the fast as an effort to restore blood sugar levels that have decreased after fasting all day.

Various high-sugar iftar dishes can actually trigger a drastic surge in blood sugar levels in a short time.

Sweet drinks are generally high in calories but low in nutrients, so if consumed in excess, they can have a bad impact on health, such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay.

Sweet drinks are generally high in calories but low in nutrients, so if consumed frequently, they can have a bad impact on health, such as increasing the risk of diabetes.

Energy drinks are a major focus after a case study in the UK revealed a link between excessive consumption and mild stroke.

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The Ministry of Health will begin administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 11-year-old boys in 2027.

STARTING in 2027 or next year, the Ministry of Health will provide the human papillomavirus or HPV vaccine for 11-year-old boys.

The Ministry of Health stated that the termination of Dr. Piprim Basarah as a civil servant was due to disciplinary violations of 28 days of absence, not related to criticism of the policy of restructuring the college.

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