Celebrate Eid with a side of salad, advise doctors
By Afnan Khan
LAHORE: Doctors have recommended that people refrain from consuming large quantities of meat and eat fruits and vegetables to prevent different kinds of ailments associated with overeating and excessive consumption of meat.
Lahore General Hospital Emergency Ward In-charge Dr Zaheer Iqbal told Daily Times that excess of anything was bad, and the over-consumption of meat was considered an unhealthy practice by most medical practitioners. He said that over-consumption could cause several complications for patients suffering from liver, heart and kidney related ailments. He said that overeating was a natural phenomenon during Eid and numerous patients were brought to hospitals to be treated for over eating-related ailments, adding that diarrhea, vomiting, excess of uric acid, pain in limbs and joints were the most commonly occurring ailments. He suggested that people consume vegetables, fruits and other foods along with meat during the Eid days. The meat of sacrificial animals is considered healthier than the meat that is normally consumed by people, because of its high protein content and superior taste, he added.
Sometimes: However, nutritionist Dr Shehla Javed said the over-consumption of meat would not cause any ailments, adding that food poisoning was not associated with overeating. She said it was usually caused by the consumption of expired and sub-standard food. She said that people should not avoid meat on Eid, as overeating every once-in-a-while was not a cause for concern. However, she said it should not be made a habit due to the long term hazards of overeating.
Dr Shehla said that people should take care with the vegetables, fruits, sacrificial meat and other products they consume, as improper storage and old food could be hazardous for health. She also suggested that people should avoid eating food being sold in the open, as it could be a major cause of food poisoning.
Cooked properly: Mayo Hospital Additional Medical Superintendent (AMS) Dr Majeed Akhtar Chaudhry said that people should take care to properly prepare and cook the meat before consumption. He also said that the meat from sacrificial animals should be washed and drained of blood properly as it could cause health issues. He added that the meat should be frozen soon after the sacrifice to preserve its nutritional value and to avoid a germ-infested environment.
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