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Name
Sunita
- India
Profession
Question
I'm going to do Hajj this year. I heard that people in Hajj should eat some salty food to counteract sweating. The problem is I'm hypertensive. What do you think?
Answer
Assalam Alaikum and Baraka Allho fiki for your question.
What you really need are electrolytes, sodium (not table salt) being one of them. Many people get sodium confused with table salt which is sodium and chloride.
Food wise, bananas and sweet potatoes contain electrolytes like potassium and magnesium.
As a supplement, Emergen-C (they carry a sugar free type) and Ola-loa are both powder drinks that can be used as an electrolyte drink. They are available on line, and at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's in the US.
You could also use Himalayan salt, which is different than table salt. It is usually table salt (NaCl) that people are sensitive to. Himalayan salt has electrolytes. You would use 1-2 grains to 8 oz of water.
Salty foods would only make you thirsty and bloated.
Name
Noufal
- Qatar
Profession
Software Engineer
Question
If we plan to sit from subah to isha in masjid-al haram, dates and zamzam water sufficient for our body?.
Answer
Assalamu Alaikum,
Mashallah, a very interesting question.
The experience of Hajj is like no other. It is a time when our body, soul, heart and mind are united. Therefore, we may not need as much food as we would normally eat, like during Ramadan.
However, one still needs to eat because Hajj is also very physically demanding. As such, you do want to keep up your physical strength so you can complete your Hajj, inshallah.
For example, think of how we feel during Ramadan. At the start we may not even feel hungry, but if we neglect to eat in appropriate amounts during iftar until suhur, we feel worn down or even become ill at the end of the month.
You will be burning many calories, so remember to make them up. The amount of calories you need varies from person to person. Just keep in mind that the body has its rights and if you need more than dates, than eat more than that. Bananas are available, so are nuts and these are easy to carry and good sources of energy.
You may not feel hungry as you sit there and pray, I think because you will be so engaged that your soul will be fed. May Allah make it easy and as you sit there, please remember my family and I in your dua’s.
Jazaki Allaho khayrun.
Name
Suhaila
-
Profession
Question
I'm anemic and I feel dizzy in crowded places, do you think I should take iron pills, or I can count only on a balanced diet?
Answer
Assalam Alaikum,
You can take a supplement. Floridix makes a wonderful liquid, non constipating supplement. Cooking in a cast iron pan also lends iron to the meal.
You also want to look at building the blood as well. Spirulina, which is blue green algae, can also work and it has a sweet and pleasant taste. You would use 1 tbls in 8 oz of water the first week and add in 1 more tablespoon if you see that there are no side effects.
Also, your Vitamin B12 and hydrochloric acid levels might also be low.
You could use lavender, if you like the smell, to calm down. You can carry the essential oil of it. Aura Cacia makes blends to help remain calm. I would stay away from Bach’s Rescue Remedy because alcohol was used to process it.
Deep breathing exercises also work. You would close your eyes and breathe in until your chest is full. Then breathe out through your mouth.
May Allah remove this affliction from you and give you peace during your hajj.
Name
Ahmed Khan
-
Profession
Question
Which one is better during Hajj, eating frequent small meals, or eating two or three big meals?
Answer
Assalamu Alaikum Brother,
I view Hajj as an endurance sport and being a former athlete before I converted, it may not even be possible to consume large meals during the most strenuous part of Hajj.
Since you will be engaged in rigorous activity that requires many calories to be replaced-at times, you will be better served eating smaller, nutrient dense meals. If you are sitting and praying, you may not need that much food, but when you are done, you should have a larger meal because you need to maintain strength.
For small meals you will want to consume something like a banana (perfect size and amount of nutrients) 3- 7 dates, 1 80z container of laban drink, or a hand full of nuts.
A ratio to keep in mind as you eat during hajj is 50% calories from protein (not just animal protein) 20% from fat (butter, ghee, olive oil, nuts, beans, avocado), 20% from fruits and vegetables and 10% from grains.
Keep in mind that the more protein you eat, the more water you need to drink. If you can find coconuts, drink their water, they are the perfect sports drink.
So to review and to be clear-
Smaller, nutrient dense meals are appropriate for the parts of Hajj that are physically demanding (but if you need a steak, have one once you are done).
Larger meals can be consumed after or before (3-4 hours before).
May Allah keep you well nourished during your Hajj.
Name
Fawaz
- Qatar
Profession
Question
I've been on a diet for a while to decrease my weight, can I go on during Hajj? Or it might make me weak and unable to do the Hajj ?
Answer
Assalamu Alaikum,
If your diet is one that reduces the amount of protein or restricts calories, it might not work for you.
Hajj is physically demanding and you will need to eat to keep up your strength.
May Allah make it easy.
Name
DD
-
Profession
Question
I'm going to Hajj this year for the first time, and I'm afraid of digestive problems and distension. Can I manage to do that?
Answer
Assalamu Alaikum,
I would recommend that you take 1-3 digestive enzymes before each large meal. I like ‘Rainbow light All-zyme’-or a full spectrum enzyme supplement. Just make sure it is vegetarian.
If you cannot get hold of that, cumin seeds (Arabic-Kamoon) are good for gas and bloating. A tea made of 1 tbls chamomile (Arabic-babunaj), 1 tbls, anise seeds (Arabic- yansoonon) and 1 tbls fennel seeds (Arabic-shamar) in 6 oz hot water and let it sit for 15 - 30 minutes before drinking. Ginger (Arabic-zanjabeyoon) tea also works, so do ginger chews by ‘The Ginger People’. You can also bite into raw ginger or eat anise and fennel seeds.
I included the Arabic names so if you need to get them there, you can ask for them if you are not an Arabic speaker.
May Allah bless you with health during Hajj.
Name
Rana
-
Profession
Question
I'm a breastfeeding mother, my daughter is 6 months. I'll go for Hajj for 9 days and I'll leave her with my mother in my country with expressed milk. What kind of diet suits me in this case? and what can I do to keep the flow of milk to resume lactation when I'm back?
Answer
Assalam Alaikum Sister,
First, you need to drink enough water. You should calculate your water need by taking your weight and dividing it by 2. The answer you get will be how much you need to drink in ounces each day. Since you are nursing and going to Hajj, you want to drink at least an additional 15- 20 ounces a day.
As for food, you will want 50% of your calories to come from protein (Animal and non animal), 20% from fat(oils, nuts and seeds), %20 from fruits and vegetables and 10% from grains.
Inshallah you do not have any difficulty with nursing when you return form Hajj, but if you do, ‘Traditional Medicinal’ makes a tea called mother's milk. Fenugreek, fennel, black seed and anise also help during lactation. In the UAE, ‘Organic Greens’ carries a milk for lactation.
Name
Munzir
-
Profession
Question
I'm used to drink tea or cappuccino every morning, and in the evening also. Do you think I should stop drinking caffeine products from now on and continue this in Hajj to counteract possible withdrawal symptoms during Hajj?
Answer
Assalamu Alaikum,
If you start now, inshallah, the withdrawal period should have passed. It is typically 3-7 days.
If you like and with the help of Allah (SWT), you can start now and see how you feel.
Start by reducing the amount you drink each time. If you have an 8 oz cup, drink 7 oz the first four days. Continue to reduce the amount until you reach zero.
You can also try making a mix with a drink called ‘Teeccino’ (available online). The directions come with the product. It really does taste great.
This way you still have a delicious drink and do not feel deprived.
May Allah give you success.
Name
Kamaluddin
-
Profession
Question
I'm addicted to soft drinks, what do you advise me during Hajj?
Answer
Assalam Aalikum,
The best thing is to gradually reduce the amount you drink. If you drink 6 cans a day, reduce it to 5 cans for the first week. The second week, reduce it to 4. The withdrawal time is about 3-7 days. The first 2-3 days are the most difficult.
I like fizzy vitamin drinks to help people substitute for soda. ‘Emergen-c’ and ‘Ola-Loa’ (both available online). Replace a soda with one of these drinks.
During Hajj, you really need to drink water.
May Allah give you tofeeq
Name
Maha
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I'm going to Hajj and I'll be taking a drug to postpone my menstruation. Will this affect salt and water retention, hence need special diet?
Answer
Assalam Alaikum Sister,
Interesting question.
These pills are not medically safe and they have various side effects.
It would be like you did not go to the bathroom.
As such, I will not be able to make any recommendations because it is just too dangerous in my professional opinion.
Name
Rashid
- Malaysia
Profession
Question
Hi doctor. My question is about the food that keeps me light and also strong enough during Hajj. Thank you
Answer
Assalam Alaikum Brother,
I am not a doctor :)
Some foods that are helpful would be similar to what someone would eat if they were participating in an endurance sport.
1. Proteins- for the amino acids so your body can rebuild and repair itself.
Animal proteins are more difficult to digest. Chicken, lamb shoulder, fish and eggs are good animal sources. Nuts, seeds and legumes.
3. Fat because it gives sustained energy (3 tablespoons a day:
Olive oil
Butter
Ghee
Avocado
Eggs
Nuts
Coconut oil
4. Liquids:
Water (body weight divided by 2. The answer is how much you need to drink a day in ounces. But, with Hajj, add at least 15 -20 oz more.
Coconut water is nature's perfect sports drink (if available).
Name
Mohammed
-
Profession
Question
Thanks for this interview. I was wondering how can I keep myself well hydrated and in the same time don't go the toilet frequently.
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Brother,
A very practical question and I like it.
If you are in water balance, you should not be going to the bathroom excessively.
One way to avoid that is to ensure that you are taking in enough electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium ect..)
You can find them in coconut water, Himalayan salt and sweet potatoes. They are in sports drinks, but there is more sugar than electrolytes.
Your body needs water to carry waste products out and to do various chemical
processes. If you drink coffee, or eat refined foods and sugar, you need more water. Hot weather, pregnancy, breast feeding, exercise and urination are all reasons why we may need more water.
To
determine your base line water needs, take your weight and divide by two. So you will drink 1/2 your body weight in oz. For example, if you weigh 170 lbs: 170/2=85
So you would need 85 oz of water a day.
For Hajj you need to add in 15-20 oz more.
Name
Ahmed
-
Profession
Question
I'm going to Hajj this year with my son 10 years old. Should he follow special diet?
Answer
Assalamu Alaikum Brother,
Water will be the most important thing.
To determine your base line water needs, take your weight and divide by two. So you will drink 1/2 your body weight in oz. If your weight is 170 lbs: 170/2=85
You need 85 oz of water a day.
For hajj you need to add in 15-20 oz more.
Your son will need more fat and protein than you because he is still growing. He will probably need to eat more and more often than you as well.
When I say protein I do not only mean animal proteins, but eggs, milk, cheeses, yogurt and beans as well.
Fat is sustained energy and can be found in seeds, oils, nuts, avocado, olives, eggs and dairy products.
The most important thing is to remember that his plate should have less grain (rice, bread) and more fat, protein and fruit and vegetables. Think 1/2 cup hummus, 1 pita, 1-2 tbls olive oil and 1/2 cup Greek salad. Or lamb shoulder the size of his palm, 1/3 cup rice, 1/2 cup vegetables.
Inshallah this helps. Also please refer to other questions in this dialogue for further details.
Name
Nafisa
-
Profession
Question
I'm pregnant in my second month and I often feel nausea and tendency to vomit especially when I wake up in the morning. Can I count on certain types of food that decrease this during hajj?
Answer
Moring nausea can be caused by hunger and eating a cracker as soon as you wake up may help. Some pre natal supplements can also cause this because they are too difficult to digest.
Ginger, fresh and ginger chews are great for morning sickness. Papaya enzyme also works if ginger does not. It is available in supplement form.
May Allah make it easy for you.
Name
Abdullah
- Austria
Profession
Question
I'm a vegeterian Muslim, and some of my freinds told me that unless I eat meat or chicken I''l not be strong enough for Hajj. Is this true?
Answer
Assalam Alaikum,
Unfortunately I do not know what you are eating now.
It will be more challenging as a vegetarian and you will need to do more work, but inshallah you should be able to get by. But do not take it lightly, you will need to do some work to prepare.
What you need to do is make sure you are getting all the amino acids you need. You can do this by food combining. If you eat dairy and eggs, it will be even easier.
You will want to eat rice with beans, beans and yogurt, potatoes with milk, butter or yogurt, vegetables with a handful of nuts.
You would be well served to look up sites or books that talk about food combining or vegetarian endurance athletes.
Take a look at: http://www.vegsoc.org/info/protein.html
http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/athletes.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kristi16.htm
May Allah give you success brother.
Name
Safi
-
Profession
Question
I always read that the best diet is the balanced diet. What is the balanced diet?
Answer
Assalam Alaikum Sister,
The answer to that question is far too large to answer here. I will just say that it varies from one person to another.
Please refer to my site:
www.womenshealingcircle.org
www.mercola.com
www.westonaprice.org
The Metabolic Typing Diet by William Wolcott
Name
Salma
-
Profession
Question
I'm going to perform Hajj this year and I want to utilise every minute there. How can I maintain being awake and sleep only for 4 or 5 hours?
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Sister,
I think that you will not have a problem, inshallah. You just want to make sure that you are getting a good, deep sleep for 4-5 hours.
Magnesium is a natural muscles relaxer and can help with not being able to sleep due to soreness. Nuts and green leafy vegetables contain magnesium.
May Allah make it easy for you.
Name
Azza
-
Profession
Question
I'm pregnant in the second trimester and I'm going to Hajj this year. Should I keep my routine diet? Or I should decrease my food intake to be able to perform Hajj duties?
Answer
Asalaam Alikum Azza,
You will want to increase your food intake because you will be using more energy and burning more calories.
