Photo by Johnny Milano/Newsday
Sounds tough, doesn’t it? The truth is, some have a hard time controlling their diet due to overeating; plus, the high-calorie, fatty foods consumed for iftar meals (the evening meal when Muslims break their fast) don’t make things any easier. So the irony of it all is that some eventually put on weight during Ramadan instead of losing it.
If you’re wondering what you can do to make it through the fasting month, follow these simple tips and start creating healthy habits to stay in tip top shape.
Pre-Ramadan prepping
1. Cut back on Starbucks a few days before Ramadan begins – Everyone knows going ‘cold turkey’ isn’t a good idea, especially when it comes to something most are used to, like coffee. So to stop you from craving for that cuppa during the day, cut down on your caffeine intake as much as you can before the beginning of Ramadan.
2. Get an early start – Begin fasting even before the first day of Ramadan. In the weeks leading up to the fasting month, choose a day or two of the week to abstain from food during daylight. You know what they say: practise makes perfect.
3. Eat light – If doing the real thing before Ramadan is a little too much for you, you have the option of eating light instead. Try having a nice breakfast and hearty dinner, just keep things as simple as possible during lunch.
What to do during Ramadan
Photo by Intrepid Travel
4. Make smart food choices – During the pre-dawn breakfast (also known as suhoor), you should choose your food wisely. Eat stuff that will keep you full throughout the day; anything high in fibre, such as bananas, dates and almonds, is good enough. Also, if you’re craving for sugar grab some fruit instead as sugar tends to rob the body of crucial minerals and vitamins.
5. If you have to eat carbs, do it in the evening – A recent study found that consuming carbs in the evening actually increases the feeling of fullness. A team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem carried out the study for six months and discovered that the experimental diet led to lower hunger scores, as well as better weight loss results. Sounds ironic but since science has proved it, best believe it!
6. Don’t overeat – This one’s pretty obvious but we’re sure many are guilty of overeating, especially during iftar. Overeating can cause lethargy and other undesirable gastrointestinal discomforts so learn to control your portions and practise self-control.
Photo by Postnoon
7. Hydrate as much as possible, whenever possible – Dehydration is the root of many horrible illnesses and conditions, such as dizziness, headaches and muscle cramps. Even though you may not be able to down your necessary water intake during the day, make it a habit to hydrate yourself before dawn and after sunset. Your body will thank you for it in the long run.
8. Exercise, exercise, exercise – It may seem daunting to exercise during such a period but know that it’s still important that you keep yourself in shape during Ramadan. Just remember to avoid high-intensity activities and don’t overexert yourself. Keep the pace slow and steady and maintain your fitness level (at this point, it’s not about improving it or changing it). The best time to go for a run or hit the gym? Just before breaking fast.
See Also:
Authentic and delicious Malay food
Discover the best food in town with OpenSnap