5 great ways to eat healthy during Ramadan
Since its foundation, Ramadan is celebrated with vigor amongst Muslim communities. A typical day of fasting consists of consuming an overnight breakfast at dawn, restricting any food and drink till sunset. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set till the next morning’s fajr prayer at dawn. The key to maintaining […]
Since its foundation, Ramadan is celebrated with vigor amongst Muslim communities. A typical day of fasting consists of consuming an overnight breakfast at dawn, restricting any food and drink till sunset. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set till the next morning’s fajr prayer at dawn.
The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the month depends on a few practical points.
1. Water, soup, etc.
Fasting does not mean that all bodily functions stop requiring water. Headaches, fatigue, fuzzy thinking, irritability, and illness are often caused by inadequate hydration. To maintain normal bodily functions, water is essential. A tasty way to replenish water is by having soup. A quick, easy, and nutritious food to consume during Ramadan, it provides good nourishment and is easily absorbed. If you blend all the good stuff together, like in a really mouth-watering chicken pepper-soup, even picky eaters cannot resist. Make it a staple once you break your fast and even beyond Ramadan.
Extra tip: Brew a nice mug of ginger tea to combat the tired feeling that comes after fasting all day.
2. Embrace fruit over sugar
After ‘Bude Baki’ (Hausa for Iftar) what’s better than demolishing scoops of heavenly ice cream? Easy answer: Fruit. Don’t complain and follow the following instructions for a healthier you. You may think you deserve a tasty treat after hours of restraint, but sugar robs our bodies of minerals and vitamins. During Ramadan, our bodies need to hold on to as many minerals and vitamins as possible, so don’t give in to your cravings and let them escape. Fried plantains, preferably really ripe, are deliciously sweet alternatives to sugar-loaded treats. You could even blend dates and fresh milk or make banana milk shakes without sugar. Use your imagination and the possibilities are many.
3. Load up on vitamins
Unfortunately, food today is not as nutritious as it should be. We need to replenish our body with lost electrolytes and vitamins. The top nutrients to look at are vitamins C, B-complex, zinc, E, and A. Vitamins C, A, and E along with zinc are known as antioxidants, and unless you’re living under a rock, antioxidants are in. They’re not the latest health trend for nothing, as they’re wonderful for the body. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the key, so you should consume generously.
4. Be creatively healthy
Many Iftar staples can be combined creatively to make sensationally tasty treats. A good example is a banana/date smoothie. Most tables have dates and bananas when it’s time to break fast. Just put some in a blender, with ice and blend. For even better taste, add skimmed milk and you’ll have family and friends lining up for more. Of course, no sugar is to be added.
5. Don’t over-eat
Lastly, please slow down, you have all evening. People breaking their fast tend to eat really fast, trying to tuck in as much food as possible within the first few minutes of ‘Bude Baki’, which can certainly cause indigestion. Avoid that discomfort by slowing down. What’s the rush? Take small bites, so you can enjoy the food. The longer you chew, the less work your digestive system has, so you absorb more nutrients. It’s win-win.