After a long period of not eating, it is best to break your fast with light and healthy foods that get your energy levels up. One suggestion is to have a small plate of fruits or food, go to prayer and then have a more nutritious Iftar meal.
Here are 10 things you can eat to keep your energy up:
Dates
Recommended because the Prophet Muhammad ate dates to break his fast. These tiny fruits are nutritious, a great source of dietary fibre and can be eaten on their own, with nuts, or enjoyed in various forms of date caramel.
Watermelon
Watermelon with its high water content is a sweet and juicy thirst-quencher. It is great on its own, and in salads (sweet and savoury) and smoothies.
Grapes
Grapes, and their bite-size are not often thought of as filling yet they are easily digested and so supply the body with energy and essential nutrients. They are great eaten out-of-hand, or with cheese platters, as well as fruit salads.
Pineapple
Sweet and juicy with vibrant tropical flavours, pineapples are a firm favourite across the world. Great in salads, and welcome in smoothies. Combine with cucumbers and bell peppers for a salsa, perfect with chicken or fish.
Pawpaw
With creamy and musky flavours, pawpaw is a great base for smoothies. Combine it with pineapple, coconut and ginger for a tropical smoothie.
Apple
Popular and affordable, the crunch and juice of the apple increase their appeal. They are good out-of-hand, but also in savoury salads. Combine chopped apples, cucumbers, green pepper, lettuce, herbs and season lightly with salt and olive oil for a nutritious and delicious salad.
Bananas
Sweet, starchy and full of potassium, bananas are a much-loved snack, often enjoyed with roasted peanuts. For a great smoothie, combine creamy peanut butter, bananas, ice cubes and some milk in a blender.
Carrots
Steamed carrots are more nutritious than raw ones. Either way, they make a great main salad with light seasoning and fresh herbs and are also good accompaniments to starches. A salad of steamed carrots, seasoned with olive oil and salt and tossed with herbs like parsley or cilantro is delicious
Corn
The ‘mouth organ‘ is perfect for eating during Ramadan – it is in season, thus at the peak of freshness. Enjoy boiled, roasted, grilled on its own or in salads, soups and more.
Soups and broths
Light soups and broths – like pepper soup, without cream are a good way of delivering nutritional benefits of rehydrating liquids, vegetables, meats and grains.
What are some favourite things to break your fast with?[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Foods to Break Your Fast – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]
Not really a fan of dates…actually ate my first date today since Ramadan started.
It’s been more of apple and orange for me.