How To Do Ramadan

By Ghufran El-Katatney On Jul 10, 2013

How to do Ramadan? A question on everyone’s mind…

So here’s the thing. This year, Ramadan kinda crept up on us. No warning, no preparation, nothing. Not really sure if it was all the events or the fact that it’s smack down the middle of summer. Regardless, whatever the reason is, fact is, it’s here and we are going to soldier up and make the best out of it.

We’ve decided to help out our fellow readers with a couple of tips on how to do the holy month.

Caffeine: This has got to be one of the hardest. You drive to work every morning, pass by your favorite coffee place and get your fix. Whether you’re aware of this or not, caffeine is a minor (or extremely major) addiction. Once the caffeine is cut, you’re kind of stuck.

Don’ts:

Dr Anita Das Gupta, a clinical dietician at Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Hospital, said more people visited the hospital suffering from headaches and upset stomachs during Ramadan. “These (headaches) are very common. Initially, of course, when the system changes you end up with headaches but you get slowly used to it.”

Don’t, we repeat, do not break your fast and rush over to the closest Starbucks for a caffeine fix, you’re better than that! Your body will start getting used to the lack of caffeine, we promise.

Also, don’t quit your job and convince yourself you’ll find another one after you’re done with Ramadan —wont happen! Soldier through the mornings, you wont regret it in the end.

Another thing you probably shouldn’t do, is show up to work with some fabric wrapped tight around your head, sure, it might tone down the headaches but your coworkers will probably label you some kind of Ramadan whacko, and you really don’t want that either.

Nicotine: Re-read the above passage.

Food choices: It’s ten minutes before fetar time and I will eat anything. Literally, anything they put in front of me, I will swallow up and have inside my system. Wara2 3enab, karkadeh, konafa bel manga –I want it all, preferably all at the same time. This is not good.

Pick what food you have for fetar accordingly. Give your body what it needs rather than what it wants (who are we kidding?) No, but really. Eat more slow digesting food with high fibers such as bran, wholewheat grains and seeds. Vegetables such as green beans, peas and spinach, and dried fruit, especially dried apricots and almonds.

Don’t be sitting in the kitchen munching on whatever they’re frying before the mou2azen has a had a chance to finish the first “allah akbar” of the adaan. Break your fast with some dates, then start off with soup.

Try to avoid sweet, sugary foods to avoid indigestion, heartburn and weight problems. Spicy, salty or hot food is also a no go. Too much of any will cause your body to retain water and hence you get that bloated post-fetar feeling. You know, that feeling where you zombie walk to your room and throw yourself on your bed, nobody’s a fan of that.

Su7oor: It’s all about the balance. If you just couldn’t resist that plate of fried samboosak at fetar thats okay. Just go light for su7oor. Do not starve your body or skip su7oor since you want to keep your metabolism rates high, however try your best to balance out your diet.

Keep yourself hydrated, doctors recommend drinking at least 8 cups of water through out the time period between fetar and su7oor. We cannot stress this enough, you live in the dessert, its hot and you’re fasting. Forgetting to drink when you can will not work well to your benefit.

Exercise: if you can slip some exercise into your day somehow, do so! (Good luck with that, fitness guru)

All in all, remember, Ramadan is about change. Changing your eating habits are hard, we know! But at the end of the day a lot of studies have proved that this “detox” is actually very beneficial for your system.

Food and health aside, we love this month and what it brings. It’s always a great time for reflection, giving and bringing the peace.

We wish you all a very Happy Ramadan, keep us in your prayers!