Since 2020, Indonesia has been shocked by the occurrence of a pandemic. It has entered the second year this country is dealing with Covid-19, which means it has been two years in a row, people have Ramadan months in the middle of a pandemic. Fasting during a pandemic requires people to have stronger body immune. Dwi Budiningsari, S.P., M.Kes., Ph.D., as UGM Health and Nutrition Expert, revealed that the body needs to use the sugar and fat reserves during fasting days. Therefore, to save energy, the body will automatically reprocess the old and weakened immune cells, including white blood cells replaced by the new white blood cells, to be faster and more efficient to resist viral, bacterial, and other diseases.
"It is important to optimize our intake quality, especially when we have sahur," said Dwi in UGM Update on Tuesday (13/4).
It is necessary to have balanced nutrition of staple foods such as rice and potatoes, vegetables such as spinach, kale, and carrots, than protein from vegetable and animal sources and fruits. Those amounts of consumption also ought to be adjusted to the body's nutritional needs. Dwi also shared tips to increase body immune during Ramadan by drinking mineral water for approximately 2 liters or equals 8-9 glasses.
After a long day, we break our fast with a meal known as iftar, our body's sugar quantity is usually under normal condition. Hence, it requires sweet food intakes such as korma, papaya, watermelon. Yet, it should not be more than 5-gr each day or equals 4 tablespoons. We are also appealed to have a mild routine exercise to maintain body stays fit and fresh throughout the day during Ramadan. Lastly, do not forget to still carry the health protocol by diligently washing hands, wearing masks, and keeping a distance.
Author: Desy