Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for the region. Fasting, held from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, is very crucial. For the first time ever, we are experiencing an event that has brought the world to a standstill. So, it poses an important question as to how should we celebrate Ramadan in its true essence during this pandemic, while also taking care of our health?
These are special times and call for extraordinary measures. While we all are taking relevant precautions against COVID-19, it’s equally necessary to build a strong immune system during this time. Taking care of your immunity becomes especially important if you are fasting, and even more so if you plan to conceive in the future.
As per fertility doctors, during the fasting hours, the body receives energy from the calories gained from the food eaten previous night as well as the stored fats and carbohydrates. Therefore, it is essential to have a healthy meal during iftar, which works as a major source of energy during fasting.
Having not eaten for long, it is advisable to eat slowly while opening the fast and to start with plenty of fluids and low-fat, fluid-rich food. This way, the body rehydrates and gets adequate energy from the night meal.
It’s also important to remember that a good diet is the key to healthy digestion during Ramadan. Eating in moderation and avoiding foods that can trigger gastro-oesophageal reflux is necessary during this time.
“We recommend drinking 1-2 glasses of water before your iftar meal to boost the digestion process. Drinking plenty of fluids as well as consuming fluid-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, yogurt, soups, and stews is very important to replace the fluids lost during the day. It is also recommended that people avoid consuming a lot of salty foods since salt stimulates thirst”, says Prof. Dr Human Fatemi, Medical Director, IVI Fertility Clinics UAE.
Another activity that can prove beneficial is planning the Ramadan schedule a day before. Doing this not only helps in managing time better but also has positive health effects. Moreover, it’s important to avoid being completely sedentary even though your fasting can be physically exhausting.
Dr Laura Melado, IVF Specialist, Abu Dhabi, has an interesting take on this. Contrary to what people say, she advises everyone to indulge in some sort of a light activity in the morning during this time. As per Dr Melado, gentle exercises play a great role in boosting the mood, which leaves people feeling energised andcalm the entire day. And when you feel healthy and good inside, your immunity automatically improves. Also, during this time, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercises as they can quickly make you feel dehydrated. So, during the day, take small mini walks in your home or do a few stretches to keep up your energy.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it is everyone’s responsibility to do their best to stop the spread of the infection. So, let’s practise social distancing, take care of our health and immunity and play our part in protecting ourselves as well as those around us.
IVI Fertility is a renowned brand for infertility treatments UAE and runs three state-of-the-art fertility clinics Middle East – Fertility clinic Abu Dhabi and Fertility clinic Dubai in UAE and Fertility clinic Muscat in Oman.
