国家地理-2008-10-09 穆斯林斋戒后容易暴食

 During the holiest Islamic month of Ramadan, only two meals are served--" Suhur" and "Iftar". " Suhur " is the meal eaten before dawn and "Iftar" is eaten after sunset. These consist of mostly fatty and protein-rich foods as seen in this Tehran marketplace, and many people eat well into the night. Many people feel the need to compensate¹ for the energy lost from fasting by consuming special foods that are largely only prepared during Ramadan. Festive² sweets and stews³ are served during this month. And health experts warn against overindulging in them.

“Most of our people in the holy month of Ramadan, which is the time for abstinence and eating less, overdo⁴ it when consuming foods filled with fat and sugar, in such a way that not only do they miss the benefits of this month, but also put on weight and their fat and sugar goes up compared to previous months.”

Around sunset and near "Iftar" time, those fasting line up at restaurants in Tehran where colorful displays tempt⁵ people to eat large quantities.

“All over the world, Muslims who fast lose much energy and suffer from hunger during the day. When it's "Iftar" time, we overeat to make up for the day. That is the reason people eat a lot in this month. The foods are also very colorful during this month and we can not help eating.”

Many people wrongly believe that by eating a lot in a short period of time, they can sustain a steady level of energy throughout the day. But Doctor Mazhari says he thinks Iranians eat less than their fellow fasters in Iran's neighboring countries.

“Some people who live in Iran's neighboring countries keep eating and drinking from sunset to dawn and obviously impose a heavy load in their stomach and intestines⁶. Consequently, they won't have a necessary freshness during the day.”

Ramadan falls this year during hot weather and long days, and some say that creates another consequence for fasting.

“This year, Ramadan is in a hot season and the body needs more energy. Fasters should consume more calorie-rich, low-volume foods. A friend of mine invited me to this particular restaurant tonight for 'Iftar'.”

Some people complain about the rise in the prices of essential Ramadan foods.

“In Ramadan, there’s a high demand and the supply comes short. That is why prices go up. Prices of foods, such as dates or energy-filled foods which are consumed a lot in this month increase a lot.”

In response to eating habits during Ramadan, health experts have issued warnings on television and radio to discourage people from overeating.

 

Ramadan: the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which Muslims do not eat or drink anything during the day while it is light.
Fasting: a period during which someone does not eat, especially for religious reasons
Abstinence: the practice of not having something you enjoy, especially alcohol or sex, usually for reasons of religion or health
Date: The sweet, edible⁷, oblong or oval fruit of the date palm, containing a narrow, hard seed.

         海枣：甜的、可食用的长方形或椭圆形的海枣树的果实，含有狭长坚硬的籽

1 compensate   

vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消

参考例句：

• She used her good looks to compensate her lack of intelligence. 她利用她漂亮的外表来弥补智力的不足。
• Nothing can compensate for the loss of one's health. 一个人失去了键康是不可弥补的。

2 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

3 stews   

n.炖煮的菜肴( stew的名词复数 )；烦恼，焦虑v.炖( stew的第三人称单数 )；煨；思考；担忧

参考例句：

• Corn starch is used as a thickener in stews. 玉米淀粉在炖煮菜肴中被用作增稠剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Most stews contain meat and vegetables. 炖的食物大多是肉类和蔬菜。 来自辞典例句

4 overdo   

vt.把...做得过头，演得过火

参考例句：

• Do not overdo your privilege of reproving me.不要过分使用责备我的特权。
• The taxi drivers' association is urging its members,who can work as many hours as they want,not to overdo it.出租车司机协会劝告那些工作时长不受限制的会员不要疲劳驾驶。

5 tempt   

vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣

参考例句：

• Nothing could tempt him to such a course of action.什么都不能诱使他去那样做。
• The fact that she had become wealthy did not tempt her to alter her frugal way of life.她有钱了，可这丝毫没能让她改变节俭的生活习惯。

6 intestines   

n.肠( intestine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Perhaps the most serious problems occur in the stomach and intestines. 最严重的问题或许出现在胃和肠里。 来自辞典例句
• The traps of carnivorous plants function a little like the stomachs and small intestines of animals. 食肉植物的捕蝇器起着动物的胃和小肠的作用。 来自辞典例句

7 edible   

n.食品，食物；adj.可食用的

参考例句：

• Edible wild herbs kept us from dying of starvation.我们靠着野菜才没被饿死。
• This kind of mushroom is edible,but that kind is not.这种蘑菇吃得，那种吃不得。