"Dangers of a Junk Food
Diet"
Health Seminar for July
29, 2003
www.soundvision.com/info/halalhealthy
Comprehensive Islamic information on healthy, halaal
eating for you and your family!
Muslims have countless manners and traditions about sustenance. From what to say before we begin meals to how to treat guests to prayers of thankfulness to God for what He Provides, the viewpoint of a Muslim towards food is one that is all encompassing for our health, worship and contentment.
The Prophet taught FOOD STORAGE SAFETY
The Prophet said, "Will you not cover it (the food), even by placing a stick across it?" (keeping out flying pests and avoiding growth of bacteria)
The Prophet taught GOOD MANNERS WHILE SHARING FOOD
The Prophet said, "Eat together and not separately because blessing is with the company." (Muslims share in the joy of eating together for the health of family and community)
The Prophet said, "Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should honor his guest." (Muslims will go out of their way to ensure that a visitor receives the best food and drink available in the home, even preparing meals when no meal was planned)
According to sound tradition, the Prophet asked if a family could entertain a hungry person. A companion said he happily would. Rushing home, the companion bade his wife to prepare a meal. The wife replied that they didn’t have enough for everyone. When the guest arrived, the wife pretended to fix the lamp but allowed it to go out. With no means to re-light it, the companion, his wife and their guest ate in darkness. However, the companion and his wife were only pretending to eat so as to afford the guest the whole meal. The next morning, without hearing first hand of this incident, the Prophet of Allah addressed the people and said: "Allah laughed at your action." Then was revealed a verse of the Qur’an stating, "And (they) give them preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that (food). And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are those who will be successful."
The Prophet said, "Mention the Name of Allah (God) and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you. And whenever any of you forgets to mention God over his food, let him say: In the Name of Allah (God) from the beginning to the end."
The Prophet said, "Whenever any of you drinks water, he should not breath in the drinking utensil."
According to sound tradition, the Prophet forbade the eating of two morsels or dates without the permission of those present. (A prohibition of greed)
According to sound tradition, the Prophet was invited to eat due the extreme signs of hunger on his face. The Prophet informed his host upon arriving that someone had followed him. The Prophet inquired if the uninvited one could share in the meal as well, with the condition that no burden would be on the host to accept the additional guest. The host warmly welcomed the uninvited visitor to stay and partake with equal courtesy and treatment.
The Prophet said, "The food of two persons is sufficient for three, and the food of three persons is sufficient for four persons."
The Prophet said upon being offered a drink, "O, Allah! Feed him who fed me. And provide him with drink who provided me with drink."
The Prophet taught the MANY USES OF FOOD and ITS APPRECIATION
The Prophet said, "The Kamaa’ (an edible mushroom) is like manna in that it is obtained without effort and its water is a (medicine) cure for ailments of the eye."
According to sound tradition, the Prophet would never criticize any food put before him. If he didn’t like it, he would simply not eat it.
According to sound tradition, a Muslim should retrieve dropped food, blow off any dirt (this is for dry items such as bread), say the Name of God over it and then eat it. Muslims do not waste food, as this is considered sinful.
The Prophet said upon finishing a meal, "All praise is for the Lord Who gave us to eat and to drink and made us Believers."
The Prophet said, "Whoever eats food and then says: ‘All Praise be to God who gave me the food to eat and made it accessible to me without any maneuvering or skill from my side’, -- all his preceding sins are pardoned."
The Prophet prayed after finishing meals, "Allah be praised with an abundant, beautiful blessed praise. He is the One Who Is Sufficient, feeds and is not fed. The One Who Is Longed For along with that which is with Him and The One Who is Needed. He is our Lord."
The Prophet taught MODERATION in CONSUMPTION and BEHAVIOR WHILE EATING
The Prophet said, "I do not eat while I am reclining." According to sound tradition, Muslims do not eat lying down on the back or stomach, leaning against pillows and should avoid consuming while standing or walking.
The Prophet said, "The stomach is of three parts: one for food, one for water and one for keeping empty." (Thus, a Muslim should not visit the extremes of hunger, thirst or overeating)
According to sound tradition, the Prophet used to take three breaths between drinks (showing moderation in the pace of consumption). He said, "Don’t drink in one breath like camel’s drinking, but drink with two or three pauses. Utter "In the Name of God (Bismillah)" when you start and "All Praises to God (Alhamdulilah)" when you finish."
According to sound tradition, Muslims should not eat food while it is too hot. Avoid blowing on food to cool it down (patience and disciplined eating show respect for food).
According to sound tradition, if food is served at or near the time of Prayer, Muslims should eat first and then pray as long as the window of prayer time does not pass. (Allah’s Mercy allows us to avoid turning to Him with hunger while smelling cooked food.)
According to sound tradition, a man was overweight until he became a Muslim. At that time, people commented to the Prophet about his new slenderness. The Prophet said, "A believer only eats in one part of the stomach while a disbeliever fills up seven."
According to sound tradition, it is good manners to care for the health of teeth. The Prophet urged use of the miswak (tooth cleaning brush) and advised believers to rinse their mouths out after drinking milk and/or eating (which we now know avoids tooth decay).
According to sound tradition, the Prophet warned of having strong odors on the breath (garlic, onion) when praying in a group so as to not annoy the others (including the recording angels) present.
The Prophet taught THE MERCY FROM ALLAH DURING FASTING
The Prophet said, "If one accidentally eats while fasting, one’s fast is still valid and one should say: O, Allah! Bless it for us and feed us with better than it."
Some PREFERRED FOOD of the Muslims:
Dates (especially those of Al-Medina, the city of the Prophet’s burial), snake-cucumber, gourd, milk, honey, bread, water
FROM THE QUR’AN REGARDING EATING
2:168 O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.
2:172 O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom ye worship.
5:4 They ask thee (O Muhammad) what is made lawful for them. Say: ( all ) good things are made lawful for you. And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained, ye teach them that which Allah taught you; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah's name upon it, and observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is swift to take account.
5:88 Eat of that which Allah hath bestowed on you as food lawful and good, and keep your duty to Allah in Whom ye are believers.
6:119 How should ye not eat of that over which the name of Allah hath been mentioned, when He hath explained unto you that which is forbidden unto you, unless ye are compelled thereto. But lo! many are led astray by their own lusts through ignorance. Lo! thy Lord, He is best aware of the transgressors.
6:141 He it is Who produceth gardens trellised and untrellised, and the date palm, and crops of divers flavor, and the olive and the pomegranate, like and unlike. Eat ye of the fruit thereof when it fruiteth, and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day, and be not wasteful. Lo! Allah loveth not the wasteful.
6:145 Say: I find not in that which is revealed unto me aught prohibited to an eater that he eat thereof, except it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or swineflesh for that verily is foul or the abomination which was immolated to the name of other than Allah. But whoso is compelled (thereto), neither craving nor transgressing, (for him) lo ! your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
7:31 O Children of Adam! Look to your adornment at every
place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not wasteful. Lo! He loveth
not the wastefuls
Clean up! Clean up! Everybody Clean up!
Before and During Cooking:
Food Shopping is F-U-N (Frustrating, Unlikable
but Necessary!)
| Make a List Make a shopping list before
you go to the store. By knowing exactly what you need, you’ll stay focused
and be able to shorten your shopping trip.
Organize Your List Speed up your time in the supermarket by organizing your shopping list to coordinate with the layout of your favorite store or categorizing the items on your list into food groups. Create Menus Plan dinner menus for the week and shop just one time to get everything you need. Know Your Cupboards Periodically do an inventory of your cupboards and refrigerator to take stock of what items you have on hand. You’ll save time planning menus and creating a list if you know what you have on your shelves. Invest in a Freezer If you don’t already have one, think about purchasing a stand-alone freezer. It enables you to store food and prepare dishes well in advance—meaning you’ll shop less! You Better Shop Around Study your supermarket—get to know the ins and outs of the store, and decide if it's the right one for you. Does your supermarket serve your needs quickly and efficiently? Are you satisfied with the customer service? If not, you may need to shop around for a new store. Time It Right Try not to shop during the peak times (weekday evenings and weekend afternoons), but go when the store is moderately busy so a full staff will be on duty. Late in the evenings and early Sunday mornings are usually the best times to shop. Worn Out? Stay Home Avoid shopping when you’re stressed out. The busy market will make you feel overwhelmed and even more frazzled, and it will be difficult to focus on quickly moving through the store. Shop Solo Try to shop alone. If you can, leave the kids (and your spouse) at home. Team Shop If you can’t shop alone, share the shopping with a partner. Divide your shopping list between the two of you; you pick up items in even aisles while your partner covers the odd aisles, meeting at the end of each aisle. Do You Really Need It? Don’t allow the thousands of items in the supermarket to distract you—go directly to what's on your list, smartly avoiding the tempting displays that are set up for spontaneous purchases. Checkout Savvy For a quick exit, study the checkout lines before choosing one. Look for a checkout person who seems attentive, fast, alert, and has someone to bag the groceries. However, sometimes bagging your own groceries is faster and makes unpacking at home easier. |
| A good cook's best friend is an organized, well-stocked pantry. Whether it's just a shelf in your cupboard or a walk-in closet affair, a well-stocked, clean and orderly pantry has several benefits. For one thing, it's guaranteed to make your time in the kitchen easier. You'll always have items on hand for last minute meals. Plus, when you're in a pinch you won't need to rely on fast food or take-out because a wholesome, homecooked meal will always be at the ready. Here are 10 frequently asked questions on storing foods in your pantry. |
| 1. Where should I store canned and packaged
foods?
Store them away from heat in a clean, cool (below 70F) dry area, away from light that may destroy nutrients and cause deterioration. Shelves near the ceiling or in a garage are not usually good food storage areas. 2. What is the best way to keep my cupboards and shelves clean?
3. What are some useful items to always keep in my pantry?
4. When I purchase staples for my pantry, how much should I buy?
5. The oil on my shelf often drips and makes an awful mess. How can
I avoid this?
6. What is the best way to store dry foods after I open them?
7. How can I tell if certain foods in my cupboard have spoiled?
8. Do you have any advice for cooking with and storing food from
canned goods?
9. How long can I store canned foods?
|
Go ahead! Make my day (and my weeks and my months) Easier!
1. Prepare and Cook
DRIED FRUIT
__ apricots
__ dates
__ figs
__ prunes
__ raisins
__ other:
FRUIT JUICES
__ orange juice
__ unsweetened fruit juices
__ other:
MEAT
(Eat less red meat - about once/week)
__ lean beef
(eye of round, top round, roasts, sirloin, flank)
__ lean lamb
(tenderloin, top loin, center loin chops)
__ other:
GRAINS
__ whole wheat bread
__ cereals: oatmeal bran
__ pasta (whole wheat)
__ rice - brown/white
__ other grains: couscous, millet, polenta
__ tortillas: corn, flour
__ flour: whole wheat, white
__ other:
NUTS & SEEDS
(Snacks or to top salads or casseroles)
__ almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts,
pecans, pistachios, walnuts
__ pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds
__ peanut butter
__ other:
FISH
(Eat fish or poultry once a day)
__ Fresh: cod, haddock, halibut,
salmon, scrod, squid, tuna
__ Shellfish: mussels, oysters, shrimp
__ Canned: salmon, sardines, tuna
__ other:
POULTRY
(Eat fish or poultry once a day)
__ chicken (skinless)
__ turkey (skinless)
__ other
DAIRY
(Eat small amounts of low-fat dairy)
__ cheese (low fat, halaal)
__ eggs
__ milk (1% or skim)
__ yogurt (low- or no-fat)
__ other:
VEGETABLES
(Eat at least 5 each day)
__ asparagus
__ beets
__ bok choy
__ broccoli
__ brussel sprouts
__ cabbage
__ carrots
__ cauliflower
__ celery
__ cucumber
__ eggplant
__ green beans
__ greens: chard, collards, kale, leeks
__ lettuce: iceburg, red, romaine
__ mushrooms
__ onions, shallots
__ peas, pea pods
__ peppers: green, red, yellow
__ spinach
__ squash: acorn, butternut, yellow, zucchini
__ tomatoes
__ seasonal:
__ other:
OILS & SPICES
__ balsamic vinegar
__ canola oil
__ garlic
__ olive oil
__ peanut oil
__ salad dressing
__ sesame oil
__ spices: basil, cinnamon, ginger,
oregano, peppercorns, rosemary,
red pepper flakes
__ other:
FROZEN FOODS
__ berries
__ egg substitutes
__ corn
__ spinach
__ whole grain waffles
__ mixed vegetables
__ peas
__ other:
TUBERS & LEGUMES
__ beans: black, white,
garbanzo, lentils, split peas
__ potatoes: white, sweet, red
__ yams
__ other:
STAPLES
__ coffee / herbal tea
__ honey
__ jam
__ molasses
__ soup
__ sugar
__ other
__ water
__ canned tomatoes
__ bottled spaghetti/marinara sauce
__ other:
SOY
__ light or low-fat soy milk
__ tofu and tempeh
__ vegetarian burger patties and breakfast patties
__ other:
If you just love a big fat burger and a heaping pile of fries to go with it, you're not going to like this news from the University of Wisconsin. Led by Matthew Will, the researchers have determined that a hamburger and french fries are as addictive as cigarettes and hard drugs, report the Sunday Times of London and the New York Post.
It seems that high doses of fat and sugar--common in fast food and processed food--act in our brains the same way that nicotine, heroin, and other habit-forming substances act. "A high-fat diet alters brain biochemistry with effects similar to those in powerful opiates such as morphine," Will explained in a British television documentary that aired earlier this month and was titled "Big Mac Under Attack." In his study, he fed lab rats a high-fat diet. When he took the fat way, the rats suffered withdrawal symptoms that were similar to an addict who needed a fix.
And that's not all the bad news. The Wisconsin researchers determined that when we eat a steady diet of fat, our brains actually change so that it's almost impossible for fast food junkies to change to a healthy diet.
Fun Food Things
WATER:
STILL THINK IT SOUNDS GOOD TO HAVE A COKE & A SMILE?