By Setareh Kiumarsi
Some people say they can fast all the way until sunset without eating suhoor, even in the summer! Others feel like they have to eat a mountain of food just to make it through the day. But which one is actually right?
How important is it to eat suhoor before fasting?
Very, very, very important!
You might say, “Who has the energy to wake up in the middle of the night to eat? I’d rather just sleep!”
But here’s what happens:
You wake up in the morning with an empty stomach and empty intestines. Your body is used to receiving food in the morning, so your digestive system starts doing what it always does, secreting digestive acids, bile, and enzymes. It’s like lighting a fire under an empty pot. With no food in the pot, the fire starts to burn the pot itself.
In other words, with no food in your digestive system, your digestive juice begins to damage the lining of your stomach and intestines. Plus, this unused digestive fire crashes your blood sugar, gives you headaches, and puts you in a cranky, irritable mood. What’s the benefit of a fast if it just leaves you angry, exhausted, and with an ulcer?
So don’t forget: during fasting days, your main meal should be eaten at suhoor!
But what should you actually eat?
Wake up at least an hour to an hour and a half before dawn. First thing, drink a glass of warm water with a few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of salt on an empty stomach.
15–20 minutes later, have a little fruit; like a sweet tangerine, one or two dates, a couple of dried apricots, or some cooked apples.
About 15–20 minutes before dawn, have your main meal of the day. For example, 7–8 spoonfuls of rice with a vegetable stew, or something like herbed rice (rice cooked with herbs like cilantro) with a chicken and vegetable dish.
Alongside your food, have a handful of fresh herbs (like a mix of parsley and basil) or a few spoonfuls of digestive salad . The fiber in the vegetables will help your food digest more easily and prevent indigestion or reflux.
With your meal, drink a glass of digestive lassi.
A few minutes before dawn, drink another glass of warm water with lemon and salt to support hydration and digestion.
Wishing you a peaceful and accepted fast!
Please be sure to credit the author, Setareh Kiumarsi, when sharing or republishing this article, which was written with love and the hope of well-being for all.
