If you are fasting, even regular food can put a serious burden on the body. This is especially true for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Vechernaya Moskva learned about the products that require caution from the gastroenterologist at Andreevsky Hospitals – Nebolit Medical Centers. Sofia Kardashova.
What to eat with caution
The doctor warned that the digestive system after fasting works more gently, so a sudden switch to heavy foods can provoke unpleasant symptoms and lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases. You should be especially careful with traditional holiday dishes that increase stress on the stomach, liver and pancreas:
- This applies primarily to fatty and fried meat dishes. Eating large amounts of these foods after a period of restriction becomes a serious stress on the body. Its digestion requires increased functioning of the pancreas and biliary system, which may exacerbate pancreatitis and cholecystitis.
- Easter cakes and other baked goods create no less burden. Easter baked goods contain large amounts of sugar, fat and yeast, which complicates digestion and burdens the pancreas. Easter cakes with glaze, sprinkles, lots of raisins and candied fruits are particularly “heavy”.
- Easter cottage cheese can also be hard on the body if it contains a lot of butter or cream or uses fatty cheese. This combination makes the dish difficult to digest, which is especially important for people suffering from gallbladder and pancreas diseases.
- The number of eggs eaten deserves special attention. Despite its symbolic meaning during the holiday, excessive consumption can negatively impact digestion. If you have gallbladder and pancreas problems, it is recommended to limit yourself to 1-2 eggs on the first day of Easter.
- Alcohol is also a risk factor. It increases the load on the pancreas and, in combination with fatty and high-calorie foods, can cause acute pancreatitis.
- In addition, products containing artificial additives are undesirable. Baked goods that contain margarine, dyes and flavors are less acceptable to the body and can further irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.
The gastroenterologist emphasized: “Even traditional holiday dishes require moderation and careful attention, especially after a period of fasting and in the presence of gastrointestinal diseases.”
How to reduce the burden on your digestion
According to the specialist, it is enough to follow simple rules that will help reduce the burden on the digestive system:
- It is best to eat in small portions, chew your food well and take your time. This helps reduce pressure on the stomach and improve digestion.
- Preference should be given to lighter cooking options. Frying and baking in the sleeve makes the dishes more oily and heavier. A more gentle option is to bake on a wire rack.
- It is also best to choose low-fat varieties of fish and poultry.
- Recipes can be adapted: use low-fat cottage cheese for Easter, reduce the amount of butter in Easter cakes, and replace it with yogurt or applesauce.
- Several heavy foods should not be combined at once – for example, meat, eggs and Easter cake in one meal. This “mixture” greatly burdens the digestive system.
- It is better to choose still water, tea, fruit drinks or compotes. Sweet carbonated drinks and alcohol increase the load on the digestive system.
- It is worth returning to your usual diet gradually. In the first days after the holiday, it is best to introduce foods in small quantities to give the body time to adapt.
- Preference should be given to homemade dishes made from fresh and natural ingredients – this reduces the risk of unwanted reactions from the digestive system.
– If you suffer from chronic diseases of the digestive system, it is recommended to consult a specialist doctor before Eid. “The doctor will help you adjust your diet and provide individual recommendations that will allow you to celebrate the holiday without harming your health,” Kardashova added.
At Easter it is customary to color eggs, and many people use food coloring to do so. However, this decoration method can cause an allergic reaction and even poisoning. How to understand that it was the egg dye that caused health problems, “Moscow Evening” learned from a specialist.