Ramadan can be a taxing time for your body if you do not take good care of it - especially when the festival falls around summer.
The hunger pangs, the dizziness from the heat, and the fact that drinking water is not an option can leave anyone feeling light-headed and drained of all energy. Hydrating during Ramadan, while in the hottest time of the year, can also be torturous to your body.
Humans can last longer without food than they can do without water, so you can assume that as long as you keep yourself hydrated, going about your day without food will not be so difficult. Hydrating during Ramadan is always tricky, but there are ways to tackle it and have your fasting period go smoothly.
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Water is the best Ramadan drink and the easiest way to hydrate yourself. Make sure to drink lots of water when you break your fast during Iftar. Try to drink water at room temperature, even if cold water can be tempting on hot days.
Cold water can cause indigestion, and warm water can increase your appetite. Hence, it is best consumed at room temperature or slightly cold if the weather is making you feel hot. Try to drink at least two 8-ounce glasses of water when you break your fast. Do not chug your water, and always keep a bottle close during bed and prayer time.
Taking cold showers is a good replacement for drinking cold water as it can help your body relax.
Planning helps a lot during time constrictive days like Ramadan. Having a meal plan ready to eat during the following Suhoor and Iftar of that day, adding a time for taking cold showers to stay hydrated, and a proper time to work out will all work in your favor.
It also helps you avoid less stress, and when your body works according to a schedule, there is no unnecessary loss of hydration or energy.
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If you want to stay hydrated, you must avoid food that causes thirst. Keep away from oily and fried food as they take a long time to digest and instead require more water to get digested.
Salt does the same thing as more sodium means more discarding of bodily fluids, making you more thirsty and dehydrated. Try replacing salt with other spices or herbs to get an appetizing flavor.
Sugar and sweet items should also be avoided at all costs as an excess of it in your bloodstream will require more water to balance it out - causing you to get more dehydrated. It may be tempting - especially during the time of fasting - but do your best to avoid all these things that make your food much flavored and delicious.
Dates are a common Muslim household fruit during Ramadan for their religious tie to the Prophet, who used to break his fast with them. It is a fruit that seems to be made for that purpose as it is high in sugar, potassium, fiber, and natural glucose.
This means that they are great for keeping your body fluids in check and are a good source of hydration during Ramadan.
Breaking your fast with one to three dates along with water or milk if you want to feel full faster is a good method to stay hydrated throughout the day.
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Fruit is nature’s candy and will surely keep your cravings for something sweet away. They are fun to eat and full of various nutrients - all of which you can guiltlessly pile on a plate. However, some fruits will be more beneficial in keeping you hydrated than others.
Fruits like watermelon, berries, tomatoes, pineapples, oranges, and apples are full of healthy juices that keep you hydrated as well as give you various vitamins. It is also extremely easy to add fruits to any meal - making them ideal to have during Suhoor when you need to pile up on the day’s hydration.
You must also note that having fruit juice is not equivalent to eating fruits as the former contains lots of artificial sweeteners. Another creative and fun way to eat your fruit is to freeze them up and have them as sweet ice candies!
Adding water-rich vegetables also proves to be an excellent addition to your meal. Some vegetables that you can easily add to your breakfast or dinner are spinach, cucumber, and beetroot. Beetroot is a great hydrating vegetable, and its juice is a recommendable item to add to your hydrating food list.
Coffee can be the day’s starter for a lot of people. It is not a Ramadan-friendly food, though, and it is advisable to remove it all together during days of your fasting.
It may be easy to make and give you the wake-up call to start your day, but consuming a lot of caffeine can lead to more urination, causing more fluid loss in your body. Substitute coffee with milk as it is a healthier and filling option for your day’s first drink.
While fasting for the holy month of Ramadan, make sure to take care of your body as well. Starting your day well-hydrated and energized is extremely important not to let this important time become an inconvenience to your body.
Balance your Iftar meals with your Suhoor breakfast by drinking lots of water to restore all the fluids that you lost during the day.
Apart from all the tips listed in the article, working out two or three hours after iftar can also help reduce toxins that could have caused dehydration. It is also a great way to keep healthy - especially since Ramadan can be a detox for your body. Stay hydrated and keep yourself busy to keep hunger at bay.
