Ramadan is less than a week from now and Muslims around the world are preparing to welcome the holy month. One of the major highlights of this month is eating together as a family, just before dawn (suhoor) and just after sunset (iftar). It is important to pay attention to the type of foods you consume so that you can reap the physical and spiritual benefits of fasting.
Here are some tips to help to eat healthy during the holy month and beyond:
- Eat foods with high fiber content: fruits, vegetables, whole cereals… These will make you fuller for longer.
- Drink plenty of fluids in form of water or milk, but avoid caffeinated beverages and fizzy drinks.
- Delay eating until the last hour of the night. You can still eat and drink until you hear the adhãn of fajr.
- Avoid spicy foods and high-fat diet. These will irritate your stomach and make you feel hungry quicker.
- Less is better. Eating a large portion of food will only give you a temporary sense of fullness. By the time hunger hits, it will hit hard!
- For days when you sleep off and wake up late, do not try to rush a large amount of food. This can result in bloating and tummy aches. Just take a bite or three, drink water and pray for barakah.
- Even though your fast is still valid without suhoor, do not deliberately start your fast on an empty stomach. Even if you feel full, eat a date and sip some water. That is better than nothing.
“Bilal proclaims the call to prayer at the end of the night, so eat and drink till Ibn Umm Maktum pronounces it.” — Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
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