PHED 1111 - 201: Physical Education
Summer 2012
Dr. Adele Mavuso
Section 201
Group Members:
1. Rawan Tashkandi, 200800821 –Interior Design
2. Mashael AlAwlan, 201002598 –Finance
3. Hanouf Al Ghunaim, 201001508 –Law
4. Noor Qubori, 201000618 –Business Administration
5. Arwa Al Ahmed, 200700745 –MIS
Assignment 2: Eating Habits and Practices
(30%=Group Written Report)
CRITERIA
Introduction
Assessment Rubric for Individual Written Report
SCORES
Contains thesis statement, states why assignment is important,
5
a reference to justify assignment, outlines the body topics (C)
Food and Culture
Briefly describe the kind of food that is traditionally eaten
5
during EID / family gatherings.
Explain how the particular foods have a particular meaning or
significance to the culture of the KSA Community.
Analysis of Eating
Write convincing arguments that are supported by evidence
Habits
from the book or other academic sources.
Determination of
Based on what you have learned in class this summer,
Eating Habits
determine whether people follow the healthy eating habits
5
5
during that time.
Conclusion
Restate the thesis statement, include a summary of the key
5
points from the body paragraphs, and say how these key points
answer the assignment.
Reference
Write the reference using APA style
2
Mechanics
Punctuation and spelling and capitalization are correct, words
3
are well chosen, writer uses own words, use of headings, topic
sentences, first person, full sentences, no bullet points, correct
line spacing and font
TOTAL
30
Ramadan
Each country has it’s own traditions based on it’s culture. When it comes to
the food criteria, Saudi Arabia has special types of food that are related to each
special occasion. Ramadan is a religious occasion where families and friends fast all
day and come together in social breaking-fast gatherings in the evening. This report
will put forth and analyze the eating habits of this holy month to shed light on its
health advantages. Eating in Ramadan follows great traditions and even has a special
menu. There are also some health reasons behind fasting in Islam, which makes us,
adhere to it, such as: protection against diabetes, prevention of diseases, and lowering
the level of cholesterol.
Food and Culture
There are many different types of traditional Ramadan food that actually
depend on the country and its traditional food. But in all countries, Muslims
traditionally break their fasting with dates and a glass of water. After that, they
continue eating the main dishes that have been cooked.
Saudi Arabia dishes are a lot to count. But when it’s time for Ramadan,
special dishes are made for this special month. Jarish, Mufallaq, Mataziz, Sambusa,
Lentil soup, Oatmeal soup, and Kabsa are the most famous of these dishes. Jarish is a
dish that made out of crushed wheat that is boiled and served with chopped hot pepper
and onion. Mufallaq is a dish that is similar to jarish, the crushed wheat is browned in
butter or oil and then cooked into a sort of pilaf with chunks of meat, then mixed with
sliced tomatoes and onion for flavor. Mataziz is a dish made with a layer of bread and
a variety of different vegetables like eggplants, tomatoes, sliced onions, chunks of
yellow squash, and pieces of zucchini mixed with layers of meat or chicken. Sambusa
is the most important side dish to all Saudi houses. It is made with spring roll
wrappers that are stuffed with minced meat, chicken or cheese, made into triangle
shapes or crescents and fried in oil. Lentil soup and oatmeal soup both can be served
as a starter with the other dishes; overall soups are important as the main dishes.
Also, a dish called kabsa, which is made with chicken and rice, and cooked with
tomatoes and small pieces of onions and carrots is one of the most important dishes
on the menu because it contains rice. Rice is most regularly consumed in Saudi
houses.
These main dishes are mostly cooked in Ramadan as a meal. After the big
meal, Saudi families sweeten their Ramadan days with few sweet dishes while
watching their favorite Ramadan shows on T.V. Such as, Baklawa a sweet flaky
dessert that is served with Arabian coffee it mostly served throughout the year, but
mainly a common dessert in Ramadan. Konafa is also common serving it with tea or
Arabian coffee.
Analysis of Eating Habits
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised to start ,During Ramadan
breaking fast by eating three dates as this has a scientifically proven benefit.
Especially for people who suffer from headaches, dizziness and fatigue resulting from
reduced levels of sugar they have during the fasting period, the sugar in the dates
quickly nourish the body and raise blood sugar. It is also preferable to start breakfast
by drinking a quantity of water, juice or milk and useful before you begin eating, so
as to avoid the lack of fluid and supply the body with fluids necessary. Do not eat too
much appetizers and sweets because they are rich in fat, salt and sugars. These dishes
increase the weight significantly.
Next eat a bowl of soup because it's one of the necessary dishes on Ramadan
day because of their importance in the preparation of the stomach to receive food, it
also works to compensate the body portion of the lost liquids during the day and will
provide you with vitamins that helps you to avoid thirst and constipation. After, eat a
bowl of salad, which is very important because it is rich in vitamins, minerals and
fiber. Also, it gives you a sense of fullness when ingested and thus reduce the
opportunity to take additional amounts of the main dishes, which often include rice,
fat, and carbohydrates. Finally, take the main dish at a sensible amount to maintain
good health. And must contain this dish on the type of carbohydrates (such as rice,
pasta, bulgur) and the type of meat (red meat, chicken, fish), in addition to cooked
vegetables.
Determination of Eating Habits
Part of the eating habits of this month is also the not eating part of it. So we
must analyze the fasting. After scientific studies and research into the human body
and physiological functions, fasting has been proved to hold many health benefits. It
turns out that fasting is a natural phenomenon of the body that must be exercised so
that it can perform its vital functions efficiently. The main bodily benefit of fasting is
that it helps to carry out the demolition, which gets rid of old cells and the cells in
excess of the needs.
Fasting is the best opportunity to reduce the proportion of sugar in the blood to
lower their rates, and therefore the fasting gives the pancreas a wonderful opportunity
to rest. It has been established as a role for treatment in various parts of the world for
the treatment of diabetes by following a fasting period of more than ten hours and less
than twenty, each according to his condition. The result of this method was
impressive in the treatment of patients with diabetes and without chemical drugs .
Also, stressed by many professors of scientific and medical research - mostly nonMuslim - that they fast because it reduces the fat in the body, it therefore leads to a
lower level of cholesterol.
Fasting is useful in the treatment of skin diseases, and the reason for this is
that it reduces the percentage of water in the blood and reduced the amount in the
skin, which works to: -increase skin immunity and resistance to microbes and
microbial infectious diseases -reduce the severity of skin diseases that are spread over
a large area in the body such as psoriasis -alleviate allergic diseases and reduce the
problems of oily skin. Fasting reduces secretions in the intestines of toxins and
reduces the fermentation, which can lead to ulcers continuing.
A good source of fiber and contains many minerals and vitamins are Mufallaq
and Jarish. Also, it has been shown that the onions are stronger than the antibiotics
penicillin and Alawrmiojsen. For that it cures tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea, and
kills a lot of dangerous germs, and so we find a poor farmer who depends on the food
of much fresh onions healthier and stronger than the rest, who eat the delicious, a life
of luxury. Getting more fiber in the diet helps to lower cholesterol in the blood and
reduces the risk of cancer and diabetes, in addition to the prevention of diseases of the
digestive system, particularly constipation and hemorrhoids.
Conclusion
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It brings Muslims
together in social gatherings to break their fast. The traditional types of food that are
served in Ramadan are chosen to benefit the fasting person by reimbursing the lost
energy and vitamins during the fasting period. Not to mention that fasting also has
many benefits that improve on the faster’s body health. And after analyzing the
Ramadan eating habits and practices, we found through reviewing the scientific
studies that the evidence confirms these benefits. Fasting is not just an obligation that
our religious duty is to follow; its benefits are worth the struggle and hardship.
References:

Corbin, B. C., Welk, J. G., Corbin, R. W., Welk, A. K. (2008). Concepts of
Fitness and Wellness: A Comprehensive Life Style Approach 8th Edition.
New York City, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies. Inc.

Ghazal, R. (2006). Your Health in Ramadan. Retrieved July 11, 2012, from
http://www.childclinic.net/pain/ramadan.html

,Maby, L. (1975). Flavored with Tradition, Saudi Aramco World
.40-November/December 1975, 32