Written by: Anika Saiyara Rouf Good nutrition is important all year around but becomes even more critical during Ramadan as it will impact your energy levels. Ramadan can be a good time to take extra care of your health and make positive changes to improve your diet. It is best to focus on eating foods that are nourishing and fueling your body the right way (rather than losing weight or going on a diet). Here are 5 ways you could have a healthier Ramadan:  

Hydration is a must

  While you are fasting, your body will experience mild dehydration so it is important to replenish your body with plenty of fluids after breaking your fast. If you are struggling to drink enough, you could try having fluids in other forms such as in smoothies, shakes, infused water or herbal teas. Soup is another great choice but make sure to go low on the salt (salt stimulates thirst).

Photo by Anika Rouf: Chickpea Chaat

 

Wake up for suhoor

  It certainly is no easy task to wake up before dawn but it will help you cope better with the fast. Suhoor is highly recommended as it will help you fuel your body for the day (you wouldn’t get in a racing a car without petrol; same concept goes with fasting). To make things easier, prepare your meal before you go to sleep. Include sources of protein (such as eggs, lentils, yoghurt, nuts fish, chicken and lean meat) and have carbohydrates that are wholegrain or low GI (such as basmati rice, oats, wholegrain bread or flatbread). These will keep you fuller for longer as they are digested slowly.

Photo by Anika Rouf: Iftar Fruit Platter

 

Incorporate fruit and veggies in your meals

  These foods typically require a lot of chewing so it’ll help you eat slowly. This is particularly important at iftar as you may be tempted to overeat and overfill your plates because you haven’t eaten all day! If you are living in summer countries, opt for fruits that have greater water content such as watermelon or strawberries.

Photo by Anika Rouf: Overnight Oats Inspo with Berries and Bananas (Suhoor)

 

Stay fairly active

  It is likely that your workout habits would be affected as it is difficult to exercise in the hours you are fasting. If you are struggling to keep up with your usual routine, it is completely okay to take a break from doing intense workouts. As an alternative, you could switch to lighter activities such as some brisk walking or yoga.

Photo by Anika Rouf: Iftar Veggie Platter

 

Enjoy small indulgences of your choice

  You don’t have to completely abandon the foods that you love. It is okay to incorporate some sweet treats and fried items (the latter is particularly common in South Asian cultures). The key is to consume in moderation or making a healthier alternative, if possible. Final tip: if you are feeling extra peckish even after eating large quantities of food, ask yourself if you have drunk enough water. We often tend to mistake thirst for hunger because some of the symptoms of mild dehydration (i.e. headache, fatigue, light-headedness and difficulty concentrating) can resemble symptoms of hunger!)  

A special thank you to our guest blogger, Anika Saiyara Rouf, for the article and the photos. You can find her on Instagram on the account @shenanigansofadietitian and her blog at www.anikarouf.com. Anika Rouf is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and PhD Candidate from Sydney. Her area of research investigates social media use to improve the eating habits of young adults.