A nutritionist and Ag. Head of the Department of Home Economics and Food Science, University of Ilorin, Dr. (Mrs.) Ramota Karim, has advised Muslims to shun excessive eating during the on-going Ramadan fasting, saying fasting must not be turned to feasting.

She said excessive eating was a major cause of disease which also inhibits fasting Muslims to worship as expected, adding, "By controlling what we eat now we will not only benefit our health in the short and long term but moderate eating will make us less heavy and enable us to maximise the amount of worship we do every day during Ramadan and the rest of our lives".

Karim, who gave the advice while delivering a lecture on "Nutrition during Ramadan" in Ilorin, stated that food must be consumed moderately during the nightly Sahur and at the time of breaking of fast (Iftar).

Underscoring the import of good nutrition during fasting, the nutritionist noted that studies have shown that cases of nutritionally-induced diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer can be prevented with fasting.

She recommended the consumption of cereals/root/tuber; milk and dairy products; fish; meat and poultry; beans; vegetables and fruits, adding that it is not advisable to break the fast with heavy food and acidic fruits.

Karim also explained that good nutrition helps to detoxify unwanted substances from the body as fasting helps to eliminate load of toxins that may have accumulated from food.