FOLLOWING the Cypriot tradition of overeating during Easter celebrations on Sunday and Monday at the end of over a month of fasting, doctors and dieticians have urged people to eat more sensibly.
Dr George Potamitis, a gastroenterologist and President of the Cyprus Medical Council, advised people “not to eat too many different foods, as the mix means your digestive system cannot absorb the foods properly, causing stomach pain, gastric heaviness and bloating. People who already have a problem with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic gastritis are especially vulnerable at this time of year to problems such as diarrhoea.”
Over the years, hospitals around the island have reported a surge in the number of people admitted to casualty suffering from the effects of over-indulgence at this time of year. The increase in stomach grievances comes after the annual meat fest, which follows the 50-day fasting period before Easter.
Eliza Markidou, a clinical nutritionist at the Ministry of Health, suggested that people should not go directly from fasting to eating a lot of meat, but should eat Magiritsa Soup on Saturday night after church.
“This is good for the body as it is a transitionary way for the body to adjust from vegetable eating to meat eating. The soup contains a small amount of meat and is complimented with vegetables.”
She went on to say that the main cause of gastric problems on Easter Sunday was simply down to over-eating.
“People should be careful and eat smaller portions, including vegetables and salads with their meals. The problem is that the body cannot digest the fatty meat, as it’s not used to it after a period of fasting. If you feel bloated the following day, don’t just simply not eat, as many people tend to do. Eat starchy, light foods such as pasta and rice with yoghurt.”
She added that “excess alcohol, also a common occurrence over Easter, combined with food such as flaouna and souvla causes people to feel nauseous and doesn’t help the digestive process.”
Potamitis explained that Easter is a period where he diagnoses many new cases of gallstones. “People with gallstones, many of whom are unaware of the problem, will eat too many eggs and fatty foods and then suffer the first symptoms of the condition. This normally takes the form of persistent pain in the upper abdomen about an hour after eating. If the pain does not subside, I advise a trip to the doctor straight away.”
Last year, several hundred people were treated at emergency wards across the country for stomach problems caused by overeating.
