Nutritional Foods for Suhoor and Iftar: Boost Your Energy During Ramadan

Published on: 28th February 2025
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Alina Gabdulbarova
A traditional iftar foods spread with dates, nuts, and salads for a balanced meal.
Fasting during Ramadan in Abu Dhabi and the UAE can be spiritually fulfilling and physically demanding, especially with long days and intense heat. To support your health during this holy month, it’s crucial to choose the best food for suhoor and iftar foods that will fuel your body with the energy and hydration it needs.
For those in Abu Dhabi looking to maintain their health during Ramadan, First Response Healthcare provides trusted medical services that allow for quick consultations through online doctor consultations, ensuring you have support whenever needed.
This blog will help you navigate the best healthy food for suhoor, ramadan iftar food, and other important food choices that will provide sustained energy during fasting hours.

The Importance of Nutritional Balance During Ramadan

The fast during Ramadan is demanding, particularly in the UAE where high temperatures and long fasting hours can lead to dehydration and fatigue. Healthy food for suhoor and iftar foods are critical in replenishing energy stores and maintaining hydration.
When choosing the best food for suhoor, it’s essential to opt for meals that provide sustained energy throughout the day. These should include slow-digesting foods that release energy gradually, helping to prevent feelings of fatigue before breaking the fast. Similarly, ramadan iftar food should focus on rehydrating the body and replenishing nutrients lost throughout the day. Let’s explore how you can optimize your suhoor meal and iftar foods to get the most out of each fasting day.

What to Eat for Suhoor? Best Food to Eat at Suhoor

Iftar foods feast with fruits and appetizers for Ramadan gatherings
Suhoor is the first meal before the fast begins, and it plays a crucial role in setting up your energy for the day. Selecting the best food for suhoor can make all the difference in preventing fatigue, dehydration, and overeating at Iftar.

1. Whole Grains and Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates are essential for a lasting suhoor meal. Foods like oats, whole-grain bread, brown rice, and quinoa release energy slowly, providing a steady supply of glucose to the bloodstream. These healthy food options for suhoor help prevent hunger and maintain balanced blood sugar levels throughout the day.

2. Protein-Rich Foods

Incorporating protein-rich foods such as eggs, chicken, yogurt, or cottage cheese into your suhoor meal will help build muscle mass and provide satiety, reducing the chances of feeling weak or exhausted. These foods are especially beneficial for ensuring your body stays nourished and energized until sunset.

3. Hydration is Key

In Abu Dhabi, dehydration is a primary concern due to the heat. To maintain proper hydration during fasting hours, incorporate foods that hydrate the body, such as watermelon, cucumbers, and oranges. To stay hydrated throughout the day, it’s beneficial to drink water before fasting and include coconut water in your suhoor meal.

4. Healthy Fats

Adding healthy fats such as avocados, almonds, and seeds to your suhoor meal provides longer-lasting satiety and helps maintain energy levels throughout the day. These fats also support brain function, so they’re perfect for keeping mental sharpness during fasting.

5. Avoid Sugary and Salty Foods

While it may be tempting to indulge in sugary cereals or salty snacks during suhoor, these foods can cause rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar, leading to feelings of fatigue and hunger. Stick to whole, natural ingredients to ensure you’re getting the most out of your meal.

What to Eat for Iftar?

When it’s time to break your fast, ramadan iftar food should focus on replenishing your body with the nutrients it needs after a long day of fasting. Selecting the best food for iftar is crucial to restoring energy, aiding digestion, and ensuring proper rehydration.

1. Dates: A Traditional Source of Energy

Dates are a staple iftar food in many parts of the world, including the UAE. They are packed with natural sugars, fiber, and essential minerals that quickly replenish glycogen stores, and foods that boost energy. Eating dates as the first item when breaking your fast can help stabilize blood sugar and prevent any sudden spikes or crashes.

2. Soups and Hydrating Foods

Soups, especially lentil or vegetable-based, are a wonderful way to break your fast. They hydrate the body and provide easily digestible nutrients. Adding cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs to your ramadan iftar food will boost the nutritional value and enhance hydration.

3. Lean Proteins and Vegetables

After fasting for long hours, the body needs protein for muscle repair and growth. Opt for grilled chicken, fish, or tofu, paired with vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and carrots. This combination not only supports muscle recovery but also aids in digestion.

4. Avoid Fried and Heavy Foods

Though fried foods like samosas and kebabs may be tempting, it’s best to avoid them, as they can lead to bloating, indigestion, and sluggishness, causing discomfort during night prayers. Instead, go for grilled or baked dishes for a lighter, healthier option.
Incorporating these wholesome foods into your iftar can significantly enhance your energy, hydration, and overall well-being during Ramadan. By choosing natural energy sources like dates, hydrating soups, lean proteins, and fresh vegetables while avoiding heavy, fried foods, you can ensure a balanced, nourishing meal that supports both your physical health and spiritual practices.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Tips for Ramadan in Abu Dhabi

Ramadan lantern with crescent moon and bowls of dates and nuts on a table
Maintaining your health during Ramadan, especially in Abu Dhabi, requires extra attention to hydration and balanced nutrition. Here are some region-specific lifestyle factors that can benefit your fasting experience for residents in Abu Dhabi:

  • Herbal teas:

Mint or chamomile herbal teas are excellent choices after iftar. They aid digestion and soothe any stomach discomfort that may arise after a long day of fasting. Pairing them with Arabic food for Ramadan, such as light salads or grilled vegetables, can further enhance digestion.

  • Coconut water:

It is a great option, offering rich electrolytes that effectively rehydrate the body, replenishing lost fluids and minerals. This natural beverage is perfect for restoring balance after a full day of fasting.
Additionally, smart hydration is key. Drinking water between iftar and suhoor ensures proper hydration and readiness for the next day’s fast.
Elevate your hydration game by infusing your water with slices of refreshing fruits such as lemon or cucumber. This infuses the water with flavor and encourages you to drink more, keeping you hydrated throughout the night and day.

Online Doctor Consultation: A Convenient Health Solution for Ramadan

Fasting can sometimes lead to digestive discomfort, dehydration, or fatigue. If you’re experiencing any issues during Ramadan, it’s important to seek advice from a professional. Whether you need online doctor consultation for dietary advice or managing symptoms related to fasting, First Response Healthcare in Abu Dhabi offers convenient, reliable services.
Our online doctor consultation service is available 24/7, ensuring that you receive timely medical guidance without having to leave your home. If you’re struggling to maintain proper nutrition during Ramadan or experiencing health issues, simply contact us and get expert advice tailored to your needs.

Conclusion

Choosing the best food for suhoor and ramadan iftar food is crucial to maintaining energy and hydration during the fasting hours of Ramadan. Incorporating healthy food for suhoor such as whole grains, lean proteins, and hydrating foods will give you the stamina needed throughout the day. Similarly, when you break your fast, prioritize iftar foods that replenish your body’s nutrients and hydration levels.
If you need expert guidance on your nutritional needs, we at First Response Healthcare in Abu Dhabi offer online doctor consultation to help ensure you stay healthy this Ramadan.
For more information or to book a consultation, visit our website

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