Fasting is a relatively common practice for religious or health reasons, but can be risky for diabetics in particular if not managed correctly.
With the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starting today, an estimated 40 to 50 million diabetic Muslims around the world will be among those fasting from sunrise to sunset for a month. Without the correct nutrition and lifestyle choices, fasting for type 2 diabetics may place their health in danger. SA nutritional consultant Vanessa Ascencao suggests the following tips for diabetics wanting to fast safely:
- Check your blood glucose levels frequently.
- Do not stop taking your medication.
- Increase your intake of green vegetables, healthy fats like seeds, nuts and avocado, low GL fruit and natural whole foods.
- Have your first meal in the morning instead of late at night to help keep your blood sugar balanced.
- When breaking fast, have smaller quantities of food and avoid eating sweet or fatty foods.
- Increase your intake of water.
- Choose sugar-free drinks and replace sugar with a natural sweetener such as Xylitol or Stevia.
- Use coconut oil for cooking and don’t heat olive oil, simply use over a salad.
- Try to be consistent with your diet and lifestyle and try not to overindulge with sweet treats on Eid day.
- Try the Diabecinn range of products for type 2 diabetes to help balance blood sugar levels.
- Try Marcus Rohrer Spirulina for overall health and boosted energy. Spirulina is the most nutrient-dense natural supplement in the world. It’s packed with protein, all eight essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, iron and dozens of other nutrients, making it great for boosting nutrition during the fasting period.
Both Diabecinn and Marcus Rohrer Spirulina are available at Dis-Chem, Clicks and most major pharmacies.
