June Habit: Guilt free indulgence, this Ramadan.

This Ramadan, your post-iftar eating habits can either help you make massive strides towards your health goal, or it can lead to laziness, and even sickness. Take advantage of this holy month, and be good to your body and health.

If you are like me, you will crave any form of dessert after iftar. While this is normal, satisfying your sweet tooth is a dangerous game, but it is not off limits. There are several ways to enjoy a deliscious dessert without jeopardizing your overall long-term health goals.

If you make smart choices you won’t have to give up sweets entirely this Ramadan.

Remember this: What one person considers “healthy”, might not be suitable for another. Someone who actively avoids gluten may not be too concerned about sugar content, whereas another individual who avoids carbs might still indulge in dairy products. The goal is to pre-assess the dessert against your own health objectives.

Middle Eastern desserts are traditional in Ramadan, but, along with other sweets, they are saturated with sugar and fat. These sweets are considered empty calories because they offer very little (if any) nutritional value.

Portion Control and Total Daily Intake are your new best friends. Have one small piece of your favorite dessert to satisfy the cravings, but don’t make a meal out of it. Make note of the entire sugar intake of the day, not just per-meal intake.

A small piece of dark chocolate is a great option. You can also opt for other treats with nutritional value, such as fresh fruits or Greek yogurt.

Fruit Parfait Recipe for a Healthy dessert this Ramadan:

Ingredients:

1 cup Greek Yogurt
1 cup or your favorite fruits
1 cup of granola or oats

Directions:

• Cut your fruits into thin slices.
• In serving glasses, or bowls, arrange the layers in the following order: yogurt, granola, yogurt, fruit and so on.
• Top it off with a drizzle of honey, a dash of cinnamon and roasted almonds.

This delightful treat makes a great & nutritious snack filled with protein, carbs and fats and is quick to put together.

You can have your cake, and eat it too. Here are a few other tips to keep it healthy in Ramadan:

• Follow the sunnah when breaking your fast by having dates and water.
• Eat fruits on an empty stomach instead of after your meal.
• Opt for healthier dessert options.
• Stay hydrated.
• Eat small meals.
• Engage in exercises like brisk walking.
• Don’t skip suhoor!