Prior planning and healthy diet critical to maintaining blood sugar levels during Ramadan

Diabetics should have a balanced diet and avoid fluctuations in blood glucose while fasting, says expert at Canadian Specialist Hospital

A little bit of planning, and knowing what could be a healthier alternative, is all it takes for diabetics to enjoy the benefits of fasting. Planning, however, should begin with consulting a doctor about the safety of fasting in individual health circumstances, according to Dr. Sameem Majid Matto, Specialist Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at Canadian Specialist Hospital, one of the leading private sector hospitals in the UAE.

“Having three meals is still important for everyone during the holy month – Iftar, a light evening snack, and Suhoor. Particularly for diabetics, it helps avoid continuous snacking throughout the non-fasting hours and maintain blood sugar levels,” added Dr. Alaa Takidin, Clinical Dietitian / Nutritionist at Canadian Specialist Hospital.

Having a balanced diet of proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, fluids and fibers while keeping blood sugar levels under control is the key to healthy fasting for diabetics, said Dr. Alaa Takidin. Breaking fast with three dates and a glass of water helps regain energy and bring blood sugar level to normal.

“Proteins are very important for your body cells and make you feel full thus reducing the temptation for eating sweets. Meats, legumes and dairy products are rich in proteins and a diabetic’s diet should have at least one of these sources,” Dr. Alaa Takidin said, adding that each meal should also include complex carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes and burghul, which are absorbed slowly in the body ensuring stable blood glucose levels for 4-5 hours.

“Divide your main course into three parts. Have one quarter of the plate filled with complex carbohydrates, one quarter with lean meat or meat alternatives, and half with vegetables. This will ensure that you have a healthy balanced meal,“ said Dr. Alaa Takidin.

Eating sweets immediately after Iftar can lead to bloating, delayed digestion and fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which eventually makes diabetics crave for more sweets. “A finger-sized sweet, every other day, 2-3 hours after Iftar is the ideal option. You can prepare low calorie sweets at home using low fat dairy products and a moderate amount of oil and sugar substitutes. It’s best to bake your sweets or eat them raw.”

While it’s important to keep the body rehydrated, diabetics must drink more water and less of Ramadan drinks such as jallab and dried apricot syrup that are loaded with sugar as well as calories, reminded Dr. Alaa Takidin. Soups prepared with generous amounts of vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, peas, green beans, squash and carrots can add vitamins, minerals and fluids that are essential to controlling blood sugar levels.

“Talking to a doctor who can evaluate your fitness and dietary requirements, and also guide you on what to do and what not, is most important. Diabetes, or any other lifestyle disease, when managed well wouldn’t hold you back from enjoying the good things in life,” concluded Dr. Sameem Majid Matto, Specialist Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at Canadian Specialist Hospital.