Ramadan Tips For Fasting Vegetarians

Its that time of year again. For those celebrating Ramadan, fasting is a very important component of it. And along with the celebration through fasting and prayer, your stomachs may sometimes take a hit because we can’t consume foods for lengthy periods of time.

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This means that the foods we have for suhoor and iftar must provide us with the energy, strength and important nutrients to keep us going.

Tips for Fasting Vegetarians

For vegetarians, this may be a little tricky. As you can’t consume meat as well as fasting for lengthy periods, food options may be tricky. With that being the case, here are some important tips for fasting vegetarians you should know.

1. Plan Well Ahead of time

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’? Well, it’s very true and it applies just as much when it comes to fasting.

Even if you aren’t vegetarian or have certain dietary requirements, planning what you’re going to eat well before the time comes will be a lot easier for your stomach as well as giving you peace of mind.

And when it comes to vegetarians, this is a crucial step that should not be overlooked. By planning from the previous day, or even a week ahead, fasting vegetarians won’t have a hard time coming up with meal ideas that are tasty, as well as nutritious.

2. Protein For Fasting Vegetarians

For vegetarian diets, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find healthy sources of fat and carbohydrates, however, protein is a separate matter.

Most sources of natural proteins are derived from meat. Protein is important for building and repairing muscle tissue, skin, cartilage as well as protecting your immune system.

So for this Ramadan, ensure you stock up on foods that are high in protein as well as being vegetarian-friendly. Dishes that include tofu, eggs, fish (if you’re allowed), nuts, almonds, and plant-based proteins are ideal in keeping your protein count up.

3. Get as many nutrients as possible

For people who aren’t vegetarian or don’t have any dietary requirements, it is important to make sure the foods consumed are nutritious and contain all the important nutrients to sustain their fast.

Vegetarians are no different. In fact, it may be even more important for vegetarians to eat nutritious foods as choices are limited. Apart from protein mentioned in the above tip, fat and carbohydrates are essential in providing you energy and controlling your hunger levels throughout your fast.

4. Stay hydrated

Hydration is a big issue for many people during this time of the year. Ramadan also means that you can’t consume liquid during your fasting ours.

This leads to many people being dehydrated as well as experiencing uncomfortable thirst, especially with the heat levels soaring in the UAE.

During suhoor and iftar, ensure that you are drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated during the break hours of fasting. This also means getting in the extra liquid during suhoor and iftar to sustain you during the lengthy periods when you can’t drink.

5. Make the most of suhoor and iftar

These are the times where you can break your fast and enjoy your meals. Make sure you’re making the most of them by eating well and enjoying your food.

If you follow the above steps, this shouldn’t be too hard. During iftar, make sure you’re not eating anything too heavy and ease your stomach back into the consumption of food.

During suhoor, make sure you drink plenty of fluids as well as nutritious foods that your body can survive off of before you start your fast again.

Vegetarian Meal Ideas for Ramadan

The below dishes are common for fasting vegetarians during Ramadan. They do not contain meat and are very nutritious as well as being very tasty.

Sev puri
Dahi Vada
Vegetarian Shami Kebab
Mirchi Ka Salan
Vegetarian curry and rice
Egg curry

Things to Keep in Mind

Following the strict rules of Ramadan can be difficult, and more so for vegetarians. So the above tips won’t only help you through this season but is crucial to maintaining good health.

Make sure your meals ahead, know what you’re getting yourself into as well as ensuring your body is sustaining a healthy level so you can function well throughout your day.

If eating a vegetarian diet is something new to you, or this may be the first time you’re fasting for Ramadan, its good to get the advice from other people on how they get through this period without suffering health complications or dietary challenges.

As everyone’s body is different, we all react differently to fasting. If you are concerned about adapting your vegetarian or vegan diet for fasting, speak with a dietician or your medical practitioner, they may be able to provide you some valuable input.

Head over to the Okadoc app to immediately book an appointment with your health practitioner.