Health experts caution against eating meat immediately after sacrifice

KARACHI: Reminding people to remember and implement the spirit of Eidul Azha, health experts on Tuesday urged the public to exercise caution regarding their dietary habits and meat consumption to avoid medical emergencies during the festive occasion. In a statement, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro cautioned that the sudden shift to heavy, meat-dominated meals can put a severe strain on the digestive system. “Hospitals and clinics historically witness a sharp spike in emergency room visits during the days of Eid due to acute gastrointestinal issues,” he said. Sudden shift to heavy, meat-dominated meals on Eid can strain digestive system, warns PMA “Overindulging in rich, fried and heavily spiced meat dishes frequently lead to distressing health complications, including severe diarrhoea and gastroenteritis, acute vomiting and nausea, indigestion, hyperacidity and severe abdominal cramps. It can also lead to aggravation of conditions for patients with hypertension, diabetes, high uric acid, or heart diseases,” he added. Dr Shoro recommended a list of precautions to avoid medical emergencies and ensure healthy holidays. He says: “Avoid cooking and consuming meat right after the animal is slaughtered. Freshly slaughtered meat undergoes ‘rigor mortis’ [stiffening of the muscles], making it tough and highly difficult to digest. Allowing the meat to rest in a cool place or refrigerator for a few hours lets the muscle tissues relax, rendering it safer, tender and much easier on the digestive system. “Do not replace all regular meals with meat. Limit your meat intake and space out your meals to give your stomach adequate time to process the food. “Prepare meat dishes with minimal oil, ghee, and fiery spices. Opt for balanced, home-cooked meals rather than heavy, commercially fried dishes that trigger vomiting and gastric distress. “Balance meat consumption by incorporating fresh salads, yogurt and high-fibre...

Original source: Dawn Pakistan