Healthy Tips for Ramadan 2017

The long awaited and blessed month of Ramadan is once again drawing near, and again, due to the summer season it falls in, the days will be long.

Ramadan 2017 is predicted to begin on Saturday 27th May and end on Sunday 25th June, with Eid-ul-Fitr anticipated on Monday 26th June. All dates are estimated and are subject to the sighting of the moon.

However, what some of us tend to overlook during the long fasts, is the importance of a healthy meal that can go a long way for both suhoor and iftar.

At Muslim Aid, we believe in the importance of keeping healthy and energised during Ramadan, so we have put together a few healthy eating tips for our readers:

• For suhoor, there are certain foods that can keep you energised for longer, such as bananas, muesli, porridge, oats, figs, prunes and dates. Opt for fibre rich foods
• Avoid overeating during suhoor (or iftar); this won’t necessarily keep you fuller for longer – it will just make you feel sluggish. Opt for a normal sized meal that you would usually eat but slow-release energy foods as suggested above
• For iftar, there are certain foods that can help you hydrate and re-energise such as watermelon, grapes, olives, lentils, rice, pulses and vegetables
• Avoid overloading on carbohydrates during either meals, as these can slow you down and eventually make you feel sluggish
• Another thing many of us forget is that caffeinated and carbonated drinks do not hydrate us in any way at all, whether we crave them or not so it is key to stay away from them
• If you don’t quite fancy waking up and physically eating something, try whizzing up a super healthy, energy boosting smoothie instead
• Avoid putting too much salt on your food, this will only bloat you as much as a can of fizzy drink can
• Try and introduce a little of all the five food groups into your iftar meal
• A great tip for when opening your fast for iftar is, break your fast with a few dates and a glass of milk and then pray your salaah. By the time you return to the table to sit down and eat, you will eat less of the bad stuff and you will find you feel nicely full (not bloated) and satisfied already
• Avoid deep frying food and attempt to bake or shallow fry instead, even if using a few sprays of oil for baking– it is far healthier, tastes pretty much the same and will make you feel less bloated
• Avoid oily curries; opt for using less oil or consider swapping with a healthier alternative – such as olive oil

Hopefully, with these tips, you are well on your way to a healthy Ramadan this year.

Also, whilst preparing your meals, don’t forget to spare a thought for those who have little or no means of nourishment to open their fast with.

If you would like to help give to those in need this Ramadan 2017, submit your Ramadan Donations with Muslim Aid, or alternatively, please call us on 020 7377 4200.