Ramadan is back and we find ourselves newly motivated and brimming with hope to capitalise spiritually, mentally and physically on the blessed month. Women especially have high expectations, as well as a multitude of duties and details to tend to. As a working mother, I admit that when Ramadan comes, there is an important task that occupies part of my thoughts: preparing the two main meals of the day: Iftar, which is the breakfast or main meal, and Sohour, which is the late supper before starting the new day's fast before dawn. Dealing with food planning and preparation while fasting, setting the table while energy-drained after a long day of fasting, being responsible for waking the family up and cooking for Sohour late into the night are what Muslim mothers do silently with a smile. From my point of view, preparing these two meals is a heroic mission. It's true that for some who fast on a regular basis, Ramadan is not that hard of a physical challenge. But for those who are working and managing a household, it is a different matter. Working, prepping meals for the family and the odd sleeping hours are conditions to consider during Ramadan. Usually, our will is stronger than our physical condition and constant fasting for 30 days could lead to tiredness and low concentration at work. To remain in optimal condition during Ramadan, here are some diet tips: - Squeeze half a lemon and mix it with a glass of warm water before Sohour. This should help you absorb nutrients better and resist hunger. - Have two slices of whole-wheat bread or muesli with milk, boiled eggs and lean turkey. Your Sohour menu should not be too salty as it would only cause you to crave more salt a few hours later. - Never skip Sohour and replace it with supper because you would end up starving during the day. - Make yourself a simple fruit salad to finish off the main dish. Or else, you could blend all as a fruit and vegetables juice to meet your daily needs of fibres and anti-oxidants. Fibre also helps fill you up throughout the day. - It is crucial to stay hydrated when you fast. You need to have a lot of water saved in your body to last through the day. Down a glass of water after your daily dose of lemon water, in between your Sohour meal, after fruits, and right before fasting again for the next days. - The same rule applies when you break the fast. The more water you down, the more you can avoid dry skin and breakouts throughout Ramadan. - Vitamins that provide us with anti-oxidants are of utmost importance throughout the fasting month, because the last thing we want is to fall sick. Therefore, vitamins A, C and E are what we need to take. Besides, women need to regularly take B6 and B12 supplements to avoid anemia. - Break the fast with three pieces of dates, followed by fruit juice, to increase your blood sugar level. Afterwards, have a full meal with rice and fat-free meat and vegetables. Avoid oily food as much as possible. - Down a glass of milk before you sleep to ensure your calcium need is met. This will also help you resist supper temptations, which will eventually ruin Sohour.
