Ramadan Foods That You Should Consider

Salam ladies. Sorry, I have been so MIA on my blog due to planning a wedding/honeymoon, moving to a new city, and now studying to become a Registered Dietician, inshAllah. I do promise to update my blog with some of my recent looks and my wedding post too! Alhamdulillah this month has been great, from waking up eager to read the quran to praying taraweeh in the masjid. 

With that being said, I think many of us start to get tired, or have no energy throughout the day (which is normal during fasting), but here are some tips for staying energetic and hydrated during ramadan.

• Drink two glasses of water at suhoor and follow these tips.

So many of us probably think that Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (dinner) foods are the same. Surprisingly, they are not. When you wake up for Suhoor make sure to include foods high in Fiber. You need fiber every morning to provide energy for the long hours that you will be fasting. Why fiber? Fiber keeps you full and helps your gut to stay regular. The best sources of fiber are beans, whole grains, brown rice, nuts and seeds, berries, and pears. 

Perfect examples of these Suhoor foods include: 

·      Fruits and vegetables

o   Rich in fibre, fruits and vegetables are essentials during fasting as they increase the feeling of fullness and help prevent constipation.

·      Rice and breads

o   High-fibre carbohydrate foods like brown rice and wholemeal bread take longer to digest, helping to sustain energy levels longer.

·      Meat and alternatives

o   Skinless chicken, fish and low-fat dairy products are a great source of protein while limiting your fat intake. Furthermore, they help repair and build body tissue, and build up your immune system.

This photo was taken while snacking with friends for suhoor. Fresh Mozzarella cheese is my favorite!

For many of us housewives, we find it can be a hassle sometimes to think of what to cook for  Iftar or dinner.

Iftar is the time you replenish energy levels so every effort should be made to consume foods from all major food groups: fruit and vegetables, rice and alternatives, as well as meat and alternatives (which include dairy).

• Fruit and vegetables
  Traditionally during Ramadan, dates are eaten at the start of Iftar to symbolize the breaking of the fast. Besides being an excellent source of energy, dates are also rich in potassium – helping muscles and nerves to function well. But don’t consume too much as dates are high in sugar! 
• Rice and alternatives
  Whole wheat bread, brown rice or wholegrain noodles are complex carbohydrates that provide the body with energy, fiber and minerals. Compared to sugary foods and desserts that burn quickly, they provide more stable and sustainable energy levels.
• Meats and alternatives
  Incorporate protein rich sources such as lean meat, skinless chicken, fish, eggs, legumes and low-fat dairy products.  

To keep your meals healthy, limit the use of oil and opt for steaming, grilling, baking or shallow frying instead. When choosing oils, you should also pick those that are high in unsaturated fats such as canola oil and soybean oil. 

Use this Ramadan to better yourself, with making smarter food decisions at meal time. By the time the fasting month ends, you will feel healthier, inshAllah.

This is a picture I snapped at Suhoor one night.. It was at the famous "Cedar Bakery" in Houston. Known for its mana2eesh.

As the Holy month (Ramadan) comes to an end, a traditional food to make is qatayef which is a pancake like pastry filled with sweet cheese or pecans with cinammon that are fried and made. This was a traditional food my mom made for us to welcome in Eid.

This photo was taken last year making qatayef with my mother. >3