Ramadan: Healthy Foods for a Healthy Fasting

It’s again Ramadan time. Millions of Muslims fast during this period and abstain from eating and drinking. However, two main meals are taken during Ramadan: ‘Suhur’ which is served before dawn and ‘Iftar’ which is taken after sunset. It is very important that Suhur comprises of a healthy meal to provide you energy for the whole day, and Iftar is a light meal to avoid weight gain.One should take foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates and protein, fruits or vegetables, and plenty of water to maintain a healthy fasting. Here are the few tips:

• Incorporate brown rice, wholemeal bread or wholegrain noodles in diet which take longer more time to digest, and help in sustaining energy levels longer
• When preparing rice, noodles and other grains, season with herbs, spices and broths
• Include high-calcium low-fat dairy products in your diet to maintain strong bones
• Lactose intolerant persons can choose lactose-free milk or calcium-fortified soybean milk
• Eat fish as it contains the healthy fat- omega-3fatty acid
• Prefer white meat over red meat and choose from low fat meat options (like veal, chicken and fish)
• Add herbs, sliced lemon or lemon juice to white meats and fishinstead of spices and salt
• Add favorite fruits, dates, and honey to the desserts to include more fiber and make the food vitamin-rich
• Replace sweets with stuffed dates, which are rich in fibre and are healthy
• Use home-made cream for the qatayef stuffing, which cuts down almost three-quarters of the calories

When deciding what to eat during Ramadan, one must remember that consuming the right food is very important. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is passionate to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. We consider it our responsibility to share the healthy way of fasting.