I'm traveling to Hajj this year with my 9 month old baby. I want to know what kind of foods I need to eat to be able to properly breast-feed my daughter, and what i can give my daughter next to her milk to make sure she doesn't get dehydrated or hungry.
Jazakillah khair
Answer
Dear Moza,
As usual, a nursing mother should have a balanced diet which contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. But you need a more carbohydrate diet than other people need. Use complex sugars (macaroni, rice) better than simple ones (sugar and jam).
You will need to know about the warning signs that tell you that you or your baby is in some kind of dehydration. You should not feel very tired (exhausted), very weak, very thirsty, confused, or if you notice that your daughter is confused, or she is not playing as usual. You can have from 2250-3000 calories per day. Fruits should be taken in ample amounts. Peelable fruits are preferred. Moderate amounts of dried fruits are energetic. You will need proteins from 150-200 grams per day (3 matchboxes in size) preferably of high biological value, such as animal origin, fish, etc.
You should drink about 1 1/2 liters of milk or milk products, 3-4 liters of water, or fresh fruit juices a day. This hajj is coming in winter, but if it is very hot, increase the amount of water you drink to 5 liters per day.
Cooking should be simple, with low fats and oils added. Drinking is more important for a nursing mother than eating. Try to use fennel, it increases the milk production. Take three meals with a snack in between. Protect your child against infection by having a clean surrounding. Avoid heat stroke to your daughter by using umbrellas, and avoid crowds as much as possible.
Weigh your daughter one week after arriving in Saudi Arabia to be sure she her weight is properly increasing. Cover her well at night, because it could be cold at night. You could give her the food you have been giving her in your country, because 9 months is ok to eat, but you should emphasize on drinking. Let her drink water, juice in ample amounts, and let her eat juicy fruits and don't allow her to feel thirsty.
Name
Meriam
-
Profession
Question
How can we apply the diet we do in Hajj to our daily life after we return from Hajj?
Answer
Dear Sister Meriam,
Thank you for your very interesting question.
You should grasp the opportunity of hajj to modulate your lifestyle, because this is one of the best opportunities to do so.
In hajj, you will lose weight automatically, although the food in Saudi Arabia is high in caloric value and salt content, but there is much effort done in hajj to the extent that it does not cause weight gain. There is not that much time to eat in hajj. So you will discover that you can resist the temptation of food very well.
In hajj you don't have much time to smoke, this is the best time to stop smoking.
In hajj you use fruits and vegetables more than fats and oils and even carbohydrates, because in Saudi Arabia the easiest thing to obtain is fruits and vegetables, and this is the name of the game of getting a healthy life.
You will learn to drink water and fluids, and this is good for your skin, your hair, your heart and every part of your body.
In hajj we avoid canned foods and eat fresh food instead, and even cooking is simple. So when you go back, just do this, in addition to starting to walk 10 minutes every day and increase gradually up to one hour a day.
And enjoy your healthy life!
Name
Reehana
- Singapore
Profession
Question
How much water should we drink during hajj? how do we know if we r getting dehidrated?
Answer
Dear Reehana,
Although this hajj is coming in winter, Mecca is hot at noon and in the afternoon, so we must act as if we are in summer. Drink ample amounts of water. Except for zamzam water, use bottled water, which is cheap in Saudi Arabia. Drink about 2-3 liters per day of water, fresh fruit juices, eat juicy fluids, and drink one liter of milk or milk products.
You should know that zamzam is a more advantageous water. The Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him said: "The water of zamzam fulfills the purpose for which it has been drunk". You should drink plenty of it until feeling full, as the Prophet Muhammed said. It's pure, sterile and contains no germs. Its constituents meet with the needs of people in hajj due to its high salt content which helps compensating excessive sweating, thus decreasing the risk of dehydration, heat stroke and sun stroke.
There are warning signs for dehydration. These include: headache, exhaustion, feeling very thirsty, confused, and you can feel leg cramps, or epileptic signs if you are getting a heat stroke.
Name
Sara
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
If a woman gets her period while performing hajj, is there anything shee needs to take care of in her diet to avoid getting tired or ill?
Thank you.
Answer
Sister Sara,
Before going to hajj, there are certain precautions so as to prevent your period from occurring during your hajj.
You can take progesterone or its derivatives such as Primolut nor or Duphastone (1 pill twice daily a week before the expected day, or 1 pill three times daily three days before the expected day), or if you are very worried, start one pill daily 15 days before the expected menstrual period, then increase to twice daily a week before expected day. Menses will start two to three days after stopping progesterone. You can take birth control pills that contain estrogen and progesterone one week before the expected menstruation if there is no contraindication to it, such as obesity, hypertension, abnormal blood clotting, and hormonal disturbance.
Either way it's better to consult a physician on how to properly delay your menses.
But if you get it in hajj, there is no problem at all. You will eat just like any other person, except for decreasing the amount of salt intake, such as pickles. And if you have pain, you can take mefanamic acid or indomethacin. Avoid foods that cause flatulence (gasses) like cabbage and cauliflower.
Name
safaa
- Egypt
Profession
Question
When I go outside home I don`t feel like going to toilette and I get constipation , what kind of food that could help me in such condition and is honey of special benefit during Hajj?
Answer
Dear Safaa,
Colon shyness is a common symptom when going outside home, especially for long travels. This may lead to constipation due to ignoring the urge of going to the toilet. So start by increasing the amount of water gradually, up to 2 and 2 1/2 liters per day. You can use bran tablets, twice daily.
But you should notice a very important thing. In the day of Arafat, we don't need to go to the toilet too much, so as not to waste the time in coming and going, to use your time in praying. So start from tarwiyah days and in Arafat day, to use light foods and decrease just in these two days the amount of vegetables and stop the bran tablets if you are taking them, and then when you go back to Mina, situations are better, so start again your normal schedule of eating.
With regards to your second question about honey, it is high-caloric and has beneficial values. It contains carbohydrates, trace elements, electrolytes. It consists of 35% protein, half of all the amino acids the body needs. Also there is B-complex, vitamin C, D and E. It's easily absorbed. It's locally beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract. It increases its local immunity, thus used in the treatment of diarrheas. It decreases the cholesterol and glucose plasma levels and increases calcium and magnesium levels in the intestine. It is used locally on injuries and allergies, and locally on hair with yoghurt. So it is one of the miraculous foods that Allah has given to us.
Name
Aicha
- United States
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi,
I am hypertensive and will be taking my medications while performing hajj, but i wanted to know if there any thing I need to do in my diet to make myself safe from any attacks..other than what i normally do in my day to day life?
Jazakum Allah khairan
Answer
Dear Sister Aicha,
This is a very good step: to remember taking your medication in hajj and take enough amount of your prescription drugs with you until you return home safely.
However, it is important to note that the food and bottled water, and even zamzam water, are high in salt content, yet the strenuous effort that the hajj exerts is more than enough to get rid of this excess salt. So drink zamzam safely and amply, as much as you like. But avoid added salts in your diet, such as pickles, and avoid snacks such as hamburgers and shawirmah, due to their high salt and fat content.
Hibiscus drink (karkadayh) is very good for hypertension. You should soak the herb rather than boil it to make the drink.
Please make sure to go to the nearest mobile clinic or pharmacy one to two times a week to measure your blood pressure.
Hajj in itself creates a sense of relaxation and ease. This could treat the psychologically-based forms of hypertension. It is better to drink juices rather than colas, because colas in themselves are hypertensive agents. If you must drink a soft drink, drink light-colored soft drinks. Use tea and coffee in moderate amounts.
Name
noha
- Egypt
Profession
writer
Question
I heard that they used to have the arak tree to postpond their cycle long ago ,is this true?
Answer
Dearest Sister,
Yes, this is true. In the age of the Prophet Muhammed peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, women used to soak the arak or miswak branch in water and drink it, and this would postpone the period for three days. But unfortunately, how are you going to get it? What are the exact amounts? You don't want to have risks in hajj. And three days are not enough to complete the rituals. So we'll have now to stick to the pills, and you should ask an herbalist if he can provide this drink for women in hajj.
Name
Mustapha
-
Profession
Question
I have diabetes and I have to take my medication and at the same time I need to have a high-energy diet inorder to keep up with what is required of me in Haj.
How can I make that balance? My diabetes medication, the proper nutrition in Haj?
Answer
Dear Brother Mustapha,
Diabetes must be controlled before hajj, so consult your physician and take enough medications. Carry a report, or better wear a medical alert bracelet. Take an instrument or strips for measuring sugar level, if you can. And if not, measure it in any clinic or pharmacy in Saudi Arabia once every ten days at least.
You should know the difference between normal fatigue and that due to hypoglycemia. Always carry a piece of candy. Drink ample amounts of fluids. Decrease the amount of sugary juice, yet you should still take it.
Keep your feet clean, and wear comfortable slippers. Take a rest before and after rituals.
Keep your insulin in a thermos with pieces of ice. Consult your physician in decreasing the amount of insulin if you take any for several reasons:
1. peace of mind and spiritual easiness decreases the anti-insulin substances in your body.
2. you will eat less in hajj
3. you will exert more effort and lose more energy,
so hajj is better for diabetes. But put into your consideration that the level of sugar in blood will determine the amount of sugars you should take. In the moderate cases of diabetes, a balanced diet is of great importance. Yet use complex sugars, such as rice and macaroni, rather than simple ones such as sugar and jam. Avoid added sugars in your diet. Drink juices low in sugar content. Avoid added fats and oils such as quick snacks (hamburgers and shawirmah).
If there are no alerting signs of hypo or hyperglycemia, such as sweating, fainting, headache, exhaustion, you are having a normal hajj, so enjoy it.
Name
Carie
-
Profession
Question
I would like to know what foods will help me get through the Hajj by providing me with enough energy and at the same time not make me feel sluggish from eating too much...
Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
Answer
Assalamu alaikum
Hajj is like other times in the year that need a balanced diet. However, there are some differences in hajj that should be taken into consideration.
First we should know that the Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him said that small pieces should be enough. And Allah said what might be translated from the Noble Qur'an: 'Eat and drink and don't go to extremes'.
The best kind of foods are fruits and vegetables. The best fruits are fruits that can be peeled, as there is less handling and thus little risk of getting infected. You can eat meat, but in moderate amounts; 120-150 grams per day is fine (about two match boxes in size).
You need carbohydrate sources to provide you with energy. Complex sugars are better than simple ones; that's to say rice and macaroni are better than jam and sugar to prevent getting fat. Milk and milk products are needed almost every day in moderate amounts (1 - 1 1/2 liters), boiled or pasteurized milk. Use fresh, not canned, foods whenever possible.
Avoid fried or fatty foods so as not to feel lazy during the rituals.
Name
Abdullah
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
I wish to know the balance diet to be taken by Hujjaj according to sunnah of the Prophet Muhamnmad (PBUH.
Answer
Dear Brother,
If you remember, we started our chat this evening with a Prophetic saying: "it's enough for man to eat few pieces of food to sustain him", and Allah says "eat and drink and do not go to extremes". And I want to remind you that zamzam is unlike other kinds of water. It is not only water, it is food also. As the Prophet Muhammed says: "It is a food that is good, and cure of ailments". To the extent that Abu Zarr, when he stayed in Makkah for about a month to meet the Prophet Muhammed, peace and blessing be upon him, he only drank zamzam, to the extent that he said: "I got fat!" So zamzam with dates is almost a complete meal.
But as a matter of fact, I have searched a lot about the exact food that the Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him actually ate in Hajj, but I couldn't reach an answer. So, you can ask a scholar about this, and let us know the answer!
Name
GME
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Dear Dr.What should I eat before travelling so as not to feel dizzy knowing that I may travel by airplane or by bus, Can I eat meat or plenty of meat in HAG or light meals are better?
Answer
If you know about yourself that you get dizzy during traveling, you should consult your physician before leaving so he can prescribe the proper medication (such as dramamine).
Before traveling, eat light meals, low in fat content. Increase the amount of fluids taken, other than tea and coffee. Sit in the most stable place in the bus (in the front) and in airplanes (beside the wings). Do not read much. Walk if possible every now and then. Look in front of you and don't stare or concentrate on one thing for a long period of time.
Meat is just a kind of protein. There are proteins of high biological value, and proteins of low biological value. You can eat both animal and plant proteins, although animal proteins are better, for example beef, lamb, chicken, goose, duck and fish.
120-150 grams of protein per day is enough (about four-fingers breadth or two to three small matchboxes beside each other). One liter of milk is an excellent source of protein.
Some meats have high fat content, and others do not. So if you have a tendency to obesity, eat fish meat, chicken breasts, rabbit meat, and veal. It's also better to drink skimmed milk if you have this tendency.
Generally, there is no harm in taking moderate amounts of protein except in renal patients, liver patients and in gout. To consume healthy meat in hajj, the meat (beef) should be bright red, normal smell, elastic in consistency, not easily cut by fingers. Spoiled meat is somewhat purple in color, of bad smell, soft in consistency, and is easily cut by fingers, so avoid it.
Name
gehad
- Egypt
Profession
student
Question
During pregnancy how can I keep my health & my baby's health in HAG, how to avoid food poisoning or diarria in HAG?
Answer
Dear Gehad,
Please first refer back to my answer to the question about nursing mothers, because the instructions given to a nursing mother and a pregnant mother in hajj are similar. But, it is very important for you to watch out for a particular warning sign in addition to the ones mentioned previously. Watch the kicking of the baby. If less or weaker, consult a physician immediately, because it is a sign of fatigue, malnutrition, or dehydration.
To avoid food poisoning, there are general safety measures to take in consideration, many of which have already been mentioned.
But remember in particular, peelable fruits, such as bananas, oranges, mandarines, are better to minimize infection from insanitary handling.
Wash foods before use.
Boil and pasteurize milk.
Except for zamzam, use only bottled water.
Use fresh food, not canned, whenever possible.
Check production and expiry dates. Don't use bulging or rusted cans.
Avoid eating cooked foods which are no longer piping hot, or which are kept for long times in room temperature.
Wash toilet seats before using them. Crouch over the toilet seats, or use toilet paper or toilet plastics and better use hole toilets (balady toilets), because they do not transmit infections.
Remember precautions for safe meat.
Keep clean and keep a healthy surrounding.
Name
tasneem
- France
Profession
mother
Question
as-salaamu alaykum , we're ging to hajj inshaa'Allah and we're taking my 3 and 1 year old son and daughter ,they have a bad could rightnow , i need your advices when we'll be there inshaa'allah what kind of food do I must take food from here ,may Allah reward you.
Answer
Dear Sister,
These days are better than the past, regarding hajj conditions, so inshallah you and your children will be safe.
If they have a cold right now, then take care that they are going to ride the plane, so keep chewing gum with them, and keep their nose open by nasal drops during the flight to avoid ear infections and ear pain.
Start now by increasing their immunity as much as you can by using natural things. A good recipe is getting a moderate-sized jar of honey and adding twenty grams of powdered black seed (nigella sativa) and let them have one teaspoon full morning and night. It can be mixed with yoghort or water, as the Prophet Muhammed used to take honey mixed with water (make the water lukewarm).
Egyptian marjoram is an immunotonic. Oregano is antiviral. Siwak is an immunotonic agent. Echinacea plant is an immunotonic agent that is used after boiling it in water. Drink it daily.
You should know that if they are apt to recurrent chest infections, remember to take influenza vaccine ten days before traveling, in addition to the normally scheduled hajj vaccines.
Avoid crowded places in hajj as much as possible, and protect the children from heat stroke (refer to previous answers).
Let them drink ample amounts of water.
There is no reason to take any foods, because in Jeddah airport, only a little amount of food is allowed in the country. So just take some crackers and limited amounts of packed food for the children if they get hungry in the airport. You will find everything you need in Saudi Arabia. Give them high-fiber diet to avoid constipation.
Always use umbrellas.
Cover them at night because it is cold this time of the year.
Wash the toilet seats for them.
Put vaseline between the thighs, so as to avoid maceration.
Don't light fires in your tent. Use tents provided with fire extinguishers.
Give the children strict orders not to pick up anything from the ground while walking in crowds in order not to fall down and be trampled on.
Put a badge on their clothes saying the place of their camp/tent. In tawaf, agree on a meeting place to go to if someone gets lost.
I want to tell you that a lady came to the Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him asking if she will have reward for bringing her children to the holy places, and he said, yes, you will have a reward.
Give them a kiss from me!
Name
soha
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Is their any kind of diet i can use to postpond my cycle for hajj? or i have no choice but pills ,thanks.
Answer
The only thing that can postpone your cycle other than pills is the arak or miswak drink. It postpones the period for three days. Please see our previous answer regarding this issue.
Name
mohamed
- Egypt
Profession
retired
Question
Dear Doctor , I intend going to haj ith some of my family members could you tell us about heat stroke how do we know it , what to do then?- and food suitable in case it happens - thanks.
Answer
Dear Brother,
Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or sun stroke occurs due to strenuous muscle activitiy in hot weather, either under direct sun light (sun stroke) or without direct sun light, in hot, crowded, ill-ventilated areas. Children and the elderly, diabetics, and hypertensive patients are at more risk and lose more water and salt from the heat. Headaches, tiredness, exhaustion, leg cramps and thirst are common signs and in some cases there are even epileptic fits.
Prevention:
Avoid strenuous muscular activity.
Avoid walking at noon, or afternoon, when not needed.
Always use an umbrella.
Don't talk much while walking under the sun.
Rest before and after each ritual.
Buy your things after Isha prayer.
Consume a lot of liquids and juice.
Take a daily salt tablet (if not hypertensive).
A commercially sold drink is now available especially made for hajj that contains both sugar and salt in suitable proportions.
Avoid beverages with too much sugar, because sugar has a high osmotic pressure and sucks water from the body. The most suitable thing to drink is zamzam water. Drink it until you feel full.
If dizzy, go to a cool place. Try to find an airconditioned place, and drink plenty of fluids. If no change, quickly consult a physician.
Name
Hanaa
-
Profession
Question
Salam alaikum doctor Mona, I catch colds and air borne diseases easily, and I am aware that in Hajj it is very easy for one to acquire diseases due to the crowd. Could you please recommend a diet that will increase my immunity while I am there?
Answer
It is true that the two most important infections acquired during hajj are the respiratory infections and gastrointestinal infections.
To increase your immunity, look at the previous question.
Remember to take your influenza vaccine ten days before hajj.
If you choose to take pneumonia vaccine, diphtheria and tetanus vaccine, this is your choice...it is not obligated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
If you know yourself to be easily infected by respiratory infectants, you may use a broad spectrum antibiotic as a prophylactic measure. In Saudi Arabia, you will find amoxycillin derivatives 250 mg per day. Inshallah it will be enough.
Follow the same safety measures as mentioned in previous questions. And increase the amount of fruits in your diet as they contain many vitamins that will counteract infection or increase your immunity, and their potassium content is important in acute infection.
Remember to cover yourself well at night.
If you get infected, to protect others, wear a mask. If you can endure it without being infected, wear it to protect yourself. If you want to protect your family when you return from being a carrier to infection (meningitis) take rifampicin for two days or ciproloxacin once.
Another risk in hajj that I feel it's very important to tell you about is getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This happens most commonly from sitting for long periods of time during travelling for example. The risk increases especially if you have heart or lung disease, cancer, positive family history, recent trauma, recent surgery, abnormal blood clotting. So wear an elastic compression stocking. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid crossing your legs while seated. While travelling, don't sit for more than two hours without movement. When the vehicle stops, take a walk.
