Kathmandu – Dashain is the biggest festival for Nepalese, celebrated as a time of family, joy, and togetherness. With its arrival, markets grow busier, households prepare special meals, and various dishes are cooked in every home. Meat becomes the centerpiece of the festive table, with goat, chicken, sheep, or even fish served in many families. The tradition of animal sacrifice during puja has also kept the practice of consuming meat alive during Dashain.

However, health experts warn that overconsumption of meat during the festival can harm health. People with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are at greater risk if they eat excessively. Eating meat is not harmful in itself, but the quantity, cooking method, and combination with other foods determine whether it benefits or harms the body.

Meat is a rich source of protein, iron, vitamin B12, zinc, phosphorus, and essential amino acids, making it highly nutritious. Goat meat provides abundant protein and iron, while chicken meat is leaner and easier to digest. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health. Still, to gain these benefits, doctors recommend eating meat in moderation and preparing it in healthy ways.

Excessive consumption of meat during Dashain often leads to indigestion, bloating, constipation, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Specialists suggest that an adult should ideally consume only about 75 to 100 grams of meat per day. A light breakfast and a small portion of meat during lunch or dinner are considered safe.

How meat is cooked also plays a key role in health. Boiled, grilled, or roasted meat is healthier than deep-fried or heavily fried options. Experts recommend avoiding excessive oil, ghee, salt, and spices while cooking and instead preparing meat with vegetables or herbs. Trimming the fat before cooking makes it even healthier.

Since meat alone does not provide fiber, a diet heavy in meat can cause digestive problems. For this reason, nutritionists recommend eating meat along with green vegetables, salads, fruits, pulses, and grains. Fruits rich in vitamin C help the body absorb iron from meat more effectively. Drinking plenty of water is also strongly advised.

Those with pre-existing health issues must be extra careful. Patients with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, as well as elderly people and children, should eat meat only as per medical advice. Another concern during Dashain is alcohol, which is often consumed with meat. Experts warn that excessive alcohol intake along with heavy meat dishes can severely affect the stomach and liver.

Health specialists stress the importance of balanced eating during the festival. Eating meat in limited amounts, including vegetables and fruits in every meal, using natural spices for cooking, avoiding more than two heavy meals per day, and staying active with regular exercise or walking can help maintain good health.

Dashain is a time of joy, family bonding, and celebration. While delicious food is part of the tradition, neglecting health can overshadow the festival’s meaning. By respecting traditions but keeping consumption balanced, Dashain can be enjoyed in a healthier, safer, and more fulfilling way, experts suggest.