Dev Kumar Sunuwar

DEV KUMAR SUNUWAR
Kathmandu, Sep 26 -

Doctors have advised people to keep their health in mind while feasting during Dashain. Regular exercise and intake of fruits along with meat will help revellers remain in the pink of health, they say.

“There’s no denying that Dashain comes once a year. Everybody has to visit relatives’ places and feast. But revellers should take care of their health too,” says Dr. Bharat Rawat, Consultant Cardiologist and Executive Director of the Norvic International Hospital. “We always should follow the ‘MADE’ mantra to remain healthy — ‘mental relaxation, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, diet control and exercise.”

Dr. Rawat adds that health should not take a backseat in the name of celebrations.

Red meat (mutton, buff, pork) causes blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, cancer and cholesterol, reminds Dr. Rawat. Alcohol is the source of ulcer, brain dysfunction, heart failure and liver failure. It is better to exercise restraint while taking these items, the doctor goes.

Consultant Cardiologist and Director of the Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre Dr. Arun Maskey agrees. According to Dr. Maskey, people are at increased health risk during festivities because they feast without taking care of their health. Dr. Maskey advises caution while eating red meat especially with skin, fried food and food containing fat, the main sources of heart diseases.

“It is advisable to have a balanced diet and exercise regularly to remain healthy, especially during festivities,” says Dr. Maskey.

While celebrating festivals, people forget that health is wealth, feels Dr. Saroj Prasad Rajendra, Director of the Sukra Raj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital. “They tend to eat too much due to pressure from others. Unhealthy eating habit is mainly to blame for increase in diarrhoea and dysentery cases during festivals.” Small, frequent meals, intake of properly washed and cooked meat are the ways to go, says Dr. Rajendra.