Health experts caution against eating meat immediately after sacrifice

KARACHI: Reminding people to remember and implement the spirit of Eidul Azha, health experts on Tuesday urged the public to exercise caution regarding their dietary habits and meat consumption to avoid medical emergencies during the festive occasion.

In a statement, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro cautioned that the sudden shift to heavy, meat-dominated meals can put a severe strain on the digestive system.

“Hospitals and clinics historically witness a sharp spike in emergency room visits during the days of Eid due to acute gastrointestinal issues,” he said.

Sudden shift to heavy, meat-dominated meals on Eid can strain digestive system, warns PMA

“Overindulging in rich, fried and heavily spiced meat dishes frequently lead to distressing health complications, including severe diarrhoea and gastroenteritis, acute vomiting and nausea, indigestion, hyperacidity and severe abdominal cramps. It can also lead to aggravation of conditions for patients with hypertension, diabetes, high uric acid, or heart diseases,” he added.

Dr Shoro recommended a list of precautions to avoid medical emergencies and ensure healthy holidays.

He says: “Avoid cooking and consuming meat right after the animal is slaughtered. Freshly slaughtered meat undergoes ‘rigor mortis’ [stiffening of the muscles], making it tough and highly difficult to digest. Allowing the meat to rest in a cool place or refrigerator for a few hours lets the muscle tissues relax, rendering it safer, tender and much easier on the digestive system.

“Do not replace all regular meals with meat. Limit your meat intake and space out your meals to give your stomach adequate time to process the food.

“Prepare meat dishes with minimal oil, ghee, and fiery spices. Opt for balanced, home-cooked meals rather than heavy, commercially fried dishes that trigger vomiting and gastric distress.

“Balance meat consumption by incorporating fresh salads, yogurt and high-fibre vegetables into your Eid menus. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and avoid carbonated soft drinks.

“Clean and pack sacrificial meat into appropriate portions and freeze it immediately to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage,” he added.

The PMA strongly advised individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, especially heart disease, kidney issues and high blood pressure to strictly adhere to their dietary restrictions and prescribed medication schedule.

Another expert Dr Qaisar Sajjad also advised the people to eat all types of food slowly and swallow only after proper chewing. “This can help prevent bolus impaction and small bone impaction in the oesophagus, which may cause difficulty in swallowing.

“In my experience, such cases are commonly seen during Eidul Azha. Therefore, everyone should be very careful while eating meat and other foods during this time,” he stated.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2026 ...