Guidelines To Help You Plan Your Ramadan

By Fareeha Jay

Dated: 28/5/19

Guidelines To Help You Plan Your Ramadan

If we follow the teachings of Islam correctly, our diet plan for Ramadan is sorted.

Chapter 20, verse 81 of the Qur’an states:

“Eat of the good and wholesome things that We have provided for your sustenance but indulge in no excess therein.”  [Quran; 20:81]

The key is eating good and wholesome foods in moderation.

Nevertheless, I would like to give a few pointers, which surely many of you already know, just as a reminder.

We should aim to keep food intake in Ramadan simple, and not very different from our normal day to day diet. This means eating in small portions but to include all major food groups, like fruit and vegetables, breads, cereals and potatoes, meat, lentils and pulses, dairy foods and healthy fats.

Fasting hours across the world can vary and can be anywhere between 11-22 hours.

Therefore, we need to focus on foods which can help us feel fuller for longer and give us energy. The key to feel full and energetic is to include more fibre at Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (fast-breaking meal). The slow release of fibre in our body, keeps us full and energetic.

We can increase fibre by opting for brown bread, whole grain flour, whole grain cereal, potatoes with skin, brown rice, and brown pasta. Focusing more on fruit and vegetables and trying to have them with their skins can optimise fibre intake.

We can try to avoid or limit fast burning foods in the form of sugar and white flour/white bread/white rice.

To avoid indigestion in Ramadan, aim to limit fatty foods, such as pakoras, samosas, bhajis, chips, cakes, biscuits chocolates and sweets. Don’t stop having them, rather think of ways to prepare them in a healthier way by using less oil and baking, steaming and grilling food rather than frying it. Also, if you regulate your portion size, include fibre in your diet which will aid in avoiding indigestion.

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. We always focus on water intake which becomes quite difficult to consume in such a short period of time. Along with water we can have stews and soups, or fluid rich fruit and vegetables to increase water intake.

Reduce salt intake as much as possible, as high intake may make you feel thirsty. Consciously make an effort of putting half the amount of salt than you usually do. Tea and coffee can stimulate water loss, therefore try to limit the amounts or go for decaffeinated versions.

We all know that we should be limiting the amount of sugar in our diet, because sugars are empty calories and will only contribute to weight gain. If you really feel like having something sweet, try to make healthier choices.

If you feel the urge to have cake, rather than having a chocolate cake go for a plain one. If you want to have a biscuit, instead of having a custard cream biscuit go for a plain one. Try going for milk-based sweet dishes such as kheer or vermicelli.

If you feel you really must have that chocolate cake, or that gulab jamun, go for it but just think of the portion size.

This Ramadan think less about feasting and more about nourishing your body, after all it is the month to cleanse our body and soul.

For a nutritionally complete diet in Ramadan we must aim to include all major food groups in the correct portion.

  

Guidelines To Help You Plan Your Ramadan Meals Accordingly

Suhoor:

Choose one from each row.

  • 2 slices of brown bread OR wholemeal chapati/roti (40-80 g) OR Bowl of cereal
  • 2 Kebab OR 2 Chicken Pieces OR 2 eggs OR 5 tablespoons lentil and pulses (can have 2 from this row)
  • Glass of milk OR 5 tablespoon yogurt OR matchbox-size cheese
  • Fruit palm-size OR vegetables of your choice

Iftar:

Ideally break your fast with a glass of milk with dates. After Maghrib prayer focus on the remaining food groups.

Choose one from each row.

  • Wholemeal Roti/ Chapati (40-80 g), Rice (80-160gm), Pasta (80-160g), Potatoes (2 -4 egg sized)
  • Chicken/lamb/beef/ fish palm size (60-90 g), 5 tablespoon lentils and pulses OR 2 eggs (can have 2 from this row)
  • Half a plate of vegetables can be cooked, raw, boiled or steamed.
  • Milk (200ml) Yogurt (125ml), Cheese (matchbox size)
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37 replies
    • Samina Ajaz
      Samina Ajaz says:

      Thanks for this very valuable information may Allah bless and your family this Ramadan and always

  1. اسماء ارسلان
    اسماء ارسلان says:

    بہت ہی عمدہ سحری اور افطاری۔اگر دہی ۵چمچ کھا لی جائے تو ۱۰۰م ل کی چائے پی جا سکتی ہے؟

  2. Sana
    Sana says:

    Fareeha maam…is there any particular seed high in fiber that u’ll recommend to use in sehri.
    Seeds constitute which portion group

  3. hina
    hina says:

    aoa, my question is this, after taking fruits n water n juices I don’t feel to eat roti in aftar so is it ok?

  4. sabahat.omar
    sabahat.omar says:

    This has to be the most precise explanation. Aik article main you have fit the whole ramadan guidelines so perfectly
    Love it

  5. Reem
    Reem says:

    Oh my God maa’m .I got email that my subscription has been stopped thaught i can’t join the web,so stupid i m din even checked back😜.Actually i don even know how to use the website🙈🙊

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ABOUT FAREEHA

I am Fareeha Jay, a registered Dietitian. I have a passion and desire to spread knowledge and awareness about healthy eating and lifestyle. The information I provide is based on scientific evidence but explained in a very non-scientific way. I want to break the myths around diet and food. I never want to give diet plans rather I want to empower people on their food and lifestyle choices, so that people can make their own diet plans for the rest of their lives.