Nowruz is an ancient celebration deeply rooted in Iranian history. However, in the modern era, specific issues can disrupt people’s health during this period. One such issue is the change in dietary habits. These changes, which include overeating and alterations in the type of nutrition and quality of foods, can lead to weight gain and related diseases.
The primary problem most people encounter during Nowruz is weight gain due to excessive consumption of sweets, chocolates, nuts, and other snacks. This weight gain can lead to other health issues, including high blood pressure, high blood lipids, type two diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, adhering to a healthy diet during Nowruz is paramount.
Here are some nutrition tips for Nowruz:
- Maintain balance and variety in eating, just like on ordinary days.
- Monitor children to ensure that party snacks do not replace main meals.
- Consuming main meals can prevent excessive consumption of snacks and sweets. Prioritize breakfast as it provides the necessary energy for daily activities.
- Drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Reduced water consumption during Nowruz can harm health.
- Drinking water can also prevent overeating and induce a feeling of satiety.
- Avoid consuming large amounts of chocolate and sweets due to their high fat, calorie content, and scant nutrients.
- Most sweets, especially wet sweets, are made from various oils and saturated solid fats containing trans fatty acids, which increase harmful blood lipids. Therefore, their consumption, especially for heart and vascular patients and people with high blood lipids, is recommended in the smallest amount.
- When shopping on the holiday eve, try to buy one or two types of sweets and chocolates, and that too in smaller sizes.
- Different types of sweets and chocolates can reduce appetite, especially in children, so it is recommended to consume less of them, and that too 2 to 3 hours after the main meal.
- It is better to consume different types of nuts raw and without salt. Salted types are high in salt and dangerous for heart and vascular health.
- Instead of using carbonated drinks at parties, consume natural pasteurized and low-salt drinks like doogh.
