For Muslims worldwide, Ramadan is the month of blessings. For 30 days, we fast from sunrise to sunset. We must make healthier eating choices during this holy month, as we will be fasting during the day.
We must use caution in selecting the food for our final sehri meal before fasting again. Consuming a balanced meal throughout the day will help you feel fuller. Certain foods may cause you to feel thirsty during the day, and other foods may even disrupt your sleep pattern.
We’ve compiled a list of five meals to avoid during sehri:
1 – Fried Food
Avoid foods that are heavy in fat or drenched in oil. While parathas and fried eggs may sound delicious during sehri, foods heavy in fat and salt might cause thirst during the fasting hours. Use an air fryer or an oven to make various dishes to keep your oil consumption to a minimum.
2 – Pre-made meats such as nuggets, sausages, and kebabs
In general, frozen products purchased at the shop are unhealthy to consume. This is due to the high sodium content and preservatives used to extend the shelf life of prepared foods. Regardless, we consume them frequently, even during Ramadan, particularly during sehri time, due to their convenience and speed of preparation. Experts recommend preparing and freezing things at home
3 – Sugar-Containing Foods
Sugar-sweetened foods, such as meethi lassi, sweets, and milk vermicelli, are heavy in calories and have little to no nutritional benefit. You must function for the next 14-16 hours, and your final meal must be nutrient-dense. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try milkshakes prepared with Chiku, mango, or dates, depending on what’s available.
4-Caffeine
Caffeine dehydrates the body when consumed in large amounts, so it is best to consume, say, a cup of coffee or chai at sehri if it helps you stay sane during the day, as many people find it difficult to skip their morning coffee or chai, but it is best to skip it if you are not addicted to coffee or chai. Consuming coffee/chai during sehri may disrupt your sleeping cycle; nonetheless, a cup will not hurt
5 – Carbohydrates
Consume basic carbs such as bread, parathas, and white rice during Ramadan rather than refined carbs such as bread, parathas, and white rice, as the latter lacks fibre, causing these meals to be absorbed quickly in our bodies, causing us to feel hungry sooner. Making healthy substitutions is critical — consider whole wheat parathas, brown rice, and brown bread.