Examples of Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant Women During Ramadan

Examples of Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant Women During Ramadan

Ramadan is a spiritual opportunity eagerly awaited by Muslims worldwide, a time when the values of patience and getting closer to God are manifested.

It is well known that pregnancy is a sensitive stage requiring special attention to nutrition, and for this reason, God Almighty has permitted pregnant women to break their fast during the blessed month of Ramadan.

Pregnant women often find themselves facing important questions about their ability to fast and its impact on the health of their unborn child.

One of the most frequent questions we receive at our clinic is from pregnant women about a suitable diet to follow while fasting during Ramadan, so they can obtain the necessary nutrients without compromising their health or the health of their baby.

In this article, we will provide examples of suitable iftar and suhoor (pre-dawn meal) meals for pregnant women.

iftar 1:
- Two dates + a cup of milk
- Lentil soup (rich in protein and iron)
- Grilled chicken breast
- Half a cup of brown or white rice
- Fattoush salad or green salad with olive oil

Benefits of this type of iftar:
** High protein content from chicken and lentils
** Fiber to improve digestion
** Vegetables containing vitamins
** A source of energy from brown rice

Suhoor 1:
- Two boiled eggs
- One slice of whole wheat bread
- Cucumber + Tomato
- One cup of whole milk

iftar 2:
- Two dates + a glass of natural juice (orange or lemon)
- Grilled salmon
- Quinoa salad with vegetables
- Greek yogurt with nuts
- Half a cup of brown or white rice

Benefits of this type of iftar:
** Omega-3 from the fish
** Protein from the Greek yogurt
** Fiber from the salad
** protein from the Greek yogurt
** Energy source from the rice

Suhoor 2:
- Half a cup of cooked oatmeal with milk
- Sliced berries or banana
- A handful of almonds or walnuts
- A cup of fresh orange juice
- Toast bread with cream cheese

iftar 3:
- Two dates + a cup of milk
- Roasted veal
- Spaghetti made from wheat with a natural tomato sauce
- Tabbouleh

Benefits of this iftar:
** Protein from the meat
** Calcium from the milk
** A source of energy from the spaghetti
** Fiber from the tabbouleh to aid digestion

Suhoor 3:
- Toast with avocado
- Two boiled or fried eggs
- A cup of yogurt with nuts

Suhoor 4:
- Hummus with olive oil
- Whole wheat bread
- Cucumber + tomato
- A tablespoon of peanut butter
- Herbal tea without sugar

Now let's talk about a suitable Ramadan diet for a pregnant woman with diabetes:
** It should be noted that a pregnant woman with diabetes should receive close monitoring from her internist because any rise or fall in blood sugar may affect the mother and the fetus.

Example of iftar for a pregnant woman with diabetes:
- One date with a glass of water
- Lentil soup (no potatoes)
- Grilled chicken breast, lean meat, or grilled fish
- Half a loaf of grain bread, or 4 tablespoons of brown rice, or half a cup of quinoa/bulgur
- Green salad with olive oil, or chickpea salad, or bean salad, or avocado slices
- A glass of milk or natural yogurt

We advise fasting pregnant women to have a glass of yogurt with nuts after Taraweeh prayers.

Example of a pre-dawn meal (suhoor) for a pregnant woman with diabetes:
- A boiled egg or low-fat cheese/labneh
- A slice of whole-wheat bread or a whole-grain pita
- Vegetables (cucumber, tomato, lettuce)
- A spoonful of chia or raw nuts
- A glass of low-fat milk or natural juice such as orange juice
- Oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk or oatmeal with honey and raw nuts

** It should be noted that it is not recommended for a pregnant woman who suffers from diabetes and takes insulin to fast, as this poses a risk to her, since she is more prone than others to fluctuations in blood sugar and the potentially fatal effects of such fluctuations.

Pregnant women with diabetes should avoid:
- Fried foods
- Ramadan sweets
- Artificially sweetened juices

Pregnant women with diabetes should ensure they take their medications on time to avoid complications.

Important tips for pregnant women during Ramadan:
- If you suffer from high blood pressure, avoid salty foods.
- Start your Iftar with liquids and wait 10 minutes before your main meal.
- Avoid fried foods.
- Avoid carbonated drinks.
- Make sure to dirnk 6-8 glasses of water between Iftar and Suhoor.
- Walking for half an hour every day after Iftar helps with digestion and regulating blood sugar levels.

We wish you an accepted fast and a blessed Iftar! 😊

Dr Najeeb Layyous  F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist