The Real Fouz

It's an amazing feeling to quench your thirst and eat all the things you were craving after a long day of fasting, but going from fasting to overeating isn't always the best idea. It's amazing how we practice so much control while fasting, but choose to overeat and overindulge when we break our fast. To help you break these bad habits this Ramadan, I've gathered a few tips to ensure you enjoy your Iftar the right way.

1. Eating right at Suhoor time will help with fasting as well as prevent overeating during Iftar. A balanced Suhoor can keep you going a long way and reduce your feelings of hunger during the day. Try to incorporate a fiber packed meal with a combination of protein, carbs, and good fats.

2. Begin your Iftar with something small like dates or nuts and take a break before starting your meal. This will satisfy your hunger and allow you to avoid overeating from the start. Starting with soup and salad is also a good option because they are low in calories but will still make you feel full.

3. When you do eventually eat, try to eat as slow as you can and enjoy your meal instead of rushing to finish it. Eating slowly will allow your body to effectively send you signals that you are full, which will help you to eat enough but still feel good after your meal. Eating slow will also help to prevent indigestion, which is a problem many people face during Ramadan.

4. When it comes to dessert, we all love to overindulge. This is when you will need the most self-control. Try to go for a selection of fresh fruits or fruit salad instead of Arabic sweets or chocolate. Your body needs the extra nutrition and vitamins after a full day of fasting so fruits are the perfect option.

5. Exercising during Ramadan is also very important, even if this means walking for an hour every day or going to the gym if preferable. Make sure you incorporate some kind of exercise into your daily routine. You will notice that you'll feel so much better and it will also help to burn off the extra calories.

6. Staying hydrated during Ramadan is one of the most important things. Drinking enough water isn't only crucial to your health, but will also make you less likely to overeat. Drink a full glass of water before starting your meal and make sure to keep staying hydrated throughout the non-fasting hours.

7. Getting enough sleep is also important during this month. People tend to sleep at later hours, so it's important to make sure that you are getting enough sleep during the day to compensate. Eating and sleeping are the two basic human functions, so there is a big connection between the two. When we don't get enough sleep, our body releases hunger hormones, which makes us overeat once we break our fast. Prioritizing your sleep schedule will have a huge effect on the way you feel during Ramadan.

Try to make the most out of this amazing month and don't let your bad habits ruin it for you. Overeating, not getting enough sleep and eating the wrong food will prevent your body from getting the endless health benefits that fasting can give you. Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and blessed Ramadan.

By The Real Fouz