The Harmful Impact of 'Revenge Eating' When Breaking the Fast

After enduring hours of hunger and thirst, the moment of breaking the fast often becomes an occasion for “revenge eating” with various sweet dishes, fried foods, and excessive portions. However, beneath this enjoyment lie health risks if eating patterns are not properly maintained.

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has urged the public to maintain the principles of balanced nutrition when selecting meals to break the fast during Ramadhan. Yuni Zahraini, head of the nutrition working team at the Directorate of Family Health Services at the Ministry of Health, reminded that the availability of diverse foods during Ramadhan needs to be approached wisely to avoid triggering excessive consumption.

“Recommendations to break the fast with sweet foods still need to be limited to reasonable amounts and not excessive,” she said following a dialogue session entitled “Strengthening Healthy and Sustainable Food Consumption Patterns Through Inclusive Digital Transformation” in Jakarta on Wednesday (25 February 2026).

According to her, excessive consumption of sugary drinks such as syrup, sweet tea, or packaged beverages when breaking the fast can significantly increase daily sugar intake. On the other hand, the public also needs to ensure that carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are consumed proportionally and supplemented with vitamins and minerals from vegetables and fruits so that daily nutritional needs are met despite limited eating times.

She noted that if the habit of consuming added sugar continues without being balanced by calorie management and physical activity, excess energy will be stored by the body as fat, thus triggering weight gain. Additionally, high-fat foods such as fried items, thick coconut milk, and fast food, which are often chosen when breaking the fast, can also increase calorie and saturated fat intake.

In the long term, such consumption patterns risk increasing cholesterol levels, enlarging waist circumference, and triggering non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Yuni said that changes in eating behaviour such as this require continuous education so that the public not only knows the principles of balanced nutrition but also practises them daily, including by controlling portions, limiting sugar, salt, and fat, and remaining physically active.