Another month of "fasting" has ended here in Bosnia, and for that matter around the world. Most years I have noticed that there seems to be a large focus on food during Ramadan, and I've always wondered how much 'fasting' goes on during this holy month. I'm not really complaining though, some of the nicest breads and deserts come out during this time of year, and the restaurants have really nice deals on iftar meals. (Iftar is the evening meal for breaking the daily fast ). Even the McDonald’s in Turkey gets in on the fasting menu, by offering an iftar soup.
I did about five minutes of research on the internet just to satisfy my curiosity about the statistics during Ramadan.
According to the UK yahoo news, Studies by health experts have shown that many Muslims gain weight during the month of fasting and that average consumption of food soars during the period.
According to Al-Ahram Weekly Online, "While their Ramadan diets diverge, all the countries of the Middle East have one trait in common: the month of fasting is also the month of excessive food consumption".
According to Jordan Times (http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=2216) AMMAN - Consumption of food during the holy month of Ramadan rises by 25-40 per cent due to people’s changed "consumption behaviour”, experts and officials said on Saturday. The demand on essential food items sometimes jump to over 40 per cent during Ramadan.
There you have it. Just be thankful that we don't have to eat a Christmas dinner every night for a whole month. Perhaps the real fasting begins next week they step on their bathroom scales.
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