How to maintain a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan in Dubai
Ramadan is a sacred month that brings meaningful lifestyle changes for Muslims worldwide. To fully embrace its spiritual essence, it’s essential to prioritise your well-being. Here’s everything you need to know about maintaining a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan in Dubai, ensuring you stay energised and focused throughout the holy month.
TIPS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE DURING RAMADAN IN DUBAI
Ramadan is a month of spiritual reflection, but the blessings of this month are not limited to spirituality; they extend to physical benefits. Fasting combined with healthy food can help improve metabolism and the overall quality of life.
Here’s how you can ensure a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan in Dubai.
DON’T SKIP SUHOOR
Suhoor is the most important meal of the day during the blessed month, so don’t skip it. You can opt for foods that can help you keep your blood sugar steady, making you feel full for the day. This will help you replenish your energy. You can choose these items in your pre-dawn meal:
- Complex carbohydrates such as wheat bread, lentils, rice, beans, oats
- High-fibre food such as dates, raspberries, apricots, carrots, collard greens
- High-protein foods such as meat, yoghurt, cheese or eggs
- Healthy fats such as avocados, olives, coconut, walnuts, chia, flax seeds and butter (from grass-fed cows) – these prevent you from feeling tired during the day
- Antioxidants such as blueberries/raspberries
- Whole grains such as quinoa and oatmeal
STAY HYDRATED
Drinking sufficient water to remain healthy during Ramadan in Dubai is very important.
- Take a minimum of eight to 12 glasses of water from the iftar period to the suhoor time.
- Apart from drinking, you can take water from other sources, such as vegetables and fruits. Many fruits and vegetables have high water content and can help you stay hydrated during the day. These include watermelons, strawberries, pineapples, oranges, raspberries and cucumbers.
NEVER BREAK YOUR FAST WITH FRIED, SUGARY AND PROCESSED FOODS
Breaking your fast with greasy or sugary foods is a common practice, but will do you no good.
- Fried food items such as chicken wings, fried chicken, dumplings, fritters, spring rolls and samosas look great on the iftar table but may lead to many digestive or chronic health issues in the long term. So it’s best to avoid eating them during this time.
- Sugary and processed foods such as savoury snacks, sausages, cakes, biscuits, tinned vegetables or ready-made meals are low in nutrients. By consuming them at iftar, you will be doing a huge disservice to your body.
- Instead of these foods, consume fresh and dry fruits such as strawberries, almonds, cashews, raisins, bananas and cranberries.
REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF CAFFEINATED DRINKS
- Caffeine is a diuretic, which may increase fluid loss and thirst during Ramadan. So, avoid tea, coffee and carbonated drinks as much as possible during the holy month.
- During Ramadan, you can try healthier alternatives to these drinks, such as green tea, lemon water, wheatgrass juice, smoothies and ginseng tea.
HAVE SOUPS DURING IFTAR
- Soups are extremely beneficial for your body. Try to incorporate vegetables into the soups so they are more nutritious and flavourful.
- Add carrots, bell peppers, aubergines, zucchini, spinach and pumpkins to your soups. For more flavour, add a dash of fresh herbs.
REST PROPERLY
Most of the time, dehydration or sleep deprivation does not make you feel drained. It’s the fact that you haven’t rested long enough. Thus, resting properly and maintaining proper sleep schedules during Ramadan is better.
- Make sure you go to bed early, so you can wake up in time for suhoor.
- Take a quick nap before iftar, so when you get up, you feel fresh.
WORK OUT
One of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan is to work out when your energy levels are at their best, such as after iftar.
- Begin your exercise two to three hours after iftar, so your body gets enough time to digest food properly.
- Try yoga, strength training and cardio at home.
- Don’t forget to have plenty of water after exercise.
FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY EATING DURING RAMADAN
ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC FOODS TO TRY DURING RAMADAN?
- You can try oatmeal with a low-fat smoothie made with fruits or opt for lentil soup for suhoor.
- For iftar, baked fish with brown rice, baked falafel served with pita bread, hummus and fattoush salad would be suitable options.
- If you like chicken, try chicken with chickpeas and sauteed vegetables for iftar.
ARE THERE ANY HEALTHY RAMADAN SNACKS THAT YOU CAN ENJOY?
You can make beetroot cutlets or corn and potato kebabs.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LOSE WEIGHT DURING RAMADAN?
Yes! You can shed a few pounds in Ramadan by adding healthy alternatives to your diet. For instance, try consuming fresh juices instead of fizzy drinks during iftar.
This concludes our list of tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan in Dubai. Try to incorporate lean protein into your diet and increase your consumption of milk and dates.
Get creative with the ingredients, make a date milkshake and enjoy it for suhoor or iftar in Dubai. Now that your meals are sorted, get ready to welcome the spiritual month of Ramadan in Dubai.
If you’re unsure about grocery shopping for Ramadan in Dubai, we have a few tips. With these easy tips and tricks, you can also prepare your home for Ramadan.
Ramadan working hours in the UAE are usually shortened to allow time for reflection during this spiritual month. Here is a complete breakdown of Ramadan prayer timings in Dubai.
May this pious month bring you immense joy, peace and prosperity. From our team at Bayut, Ramadan Kareem to you and your family!
