Health Guidelines for Ramadan
How fortunate we are to be from the Ummah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallum). One of the miracles handed down to us is the month of Ramadan. Allah who created us, has granted us a way in which we can cleanse ourselves, physically as well as spiritually. This extraordinary month will only be of benefit to those of us who take advantage of it. Allah has promised us rewards during this month beyond our expectations, only limited by his generosity and mercy and we know that Allah is the most generous and most merciful.
Here is some useful advice on how to avoid common problems that occur during Ramadan. If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time of Ibadah. Hunger and thirst can cause us to lose the purpose of Ramadan.Detox yourself
If you are in the habit of drinking many cups of tea or coffee or other caffeine containing drinks during the day, please start reducing over a period of 1-2 weeks before Ramadan. Tea and coffee contain caffeine, an addictive substance that causes severe headaches on withdrawal.
If you are a smoker, please start reducing 1-2 weeks before Ramadan. Ramadan is an ideal month to stop smoking completely.
The foods we eat
During Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadan is an ideal time to normalise one’s weight.
In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last between 8-12 hours, while fast digesting foods last for only 2-4 hours.
Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, etc; whole meal flour; whole meal pasta; unpolished rice; etc (called complex carbohydrates). Fast-digesting foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, white rice, white pasta, etc. (called refined carbohydrates). Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, like cereals; whole wheat or whole meal flour; grains and seeds, like beans and lentils; vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, methie, leaves of beetroot (iron rich), etc.; fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs, prunes, etc.; and nuts like almonds; etc. Click here to read more
If you are in the habit of drinking many cups of tea or coffee or other caffeine containing drinks during the day, please start reducing over a period of 1-2 weeks before Ramadan. Tea and coffee contain caffeine, an addictive substance that causes severe headaches on withdrawal.
If you are a smoker, please start reducing 1-2 weeks before Ramadan. Ramadan is an ideal month to stop smoking completely.
The foods we eat
During Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadan is an ideal time to normalise one’s weight.
In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last between 8-12 hours, while fast digesting foods last for only 2-4 hours.
Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, etc; whole meal flour; whole meal pasta; unpolished rice; etc (called complex carbohydrates). Fast-digesting foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, white rice, white pasta, etc. (called refined carbohydrates). Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, like cereals; whole wheat or whole meal flour; grains and seeds, like beans and lentils; vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, methie, leaves of beetroot (iron rich), etc.; fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs, prunes, etc.; and nuts like almonds; etc. Click here to read more
