BEAT HUNGER AND BOOST ENERGY DURING RAMADAN WITH THESE 7 SUPERFOODS.
STAY FULLER FOR LONGER WITH THESE POWERFUL FOODS!
During Ramadan, staying energised throughout the day can prove to be a bit of a challenge. In this post, we have scoured the Internet and looked at various health and nutrition resources in order to bring you the best pre-fast superfoods that can help you to get through the day.
When you can eat is already pre-determined, so choosing what to eat is even more important than ever. There are certain foods that might taste great, and give you an instant energy boost, but can leave you feeling tired, lacking energy and overall a little bit deflated throughout the day. Take a look at our top Ramadan superfoods and the reasons why these little gems are the ideal foods to eat during the holy month to help you stay energised and keep you fuller for longer.
The Top 7 Pre-Fast Foods
COCONUT OIL
Yes, coconut oil! We love coconut oil for so many reasons. Not only is it great for your skin and hair, but it's also one of the most powerful ingredients you can add into your daily diet. Coconut oil is broken down by the digestive system easily, and it quickly gets transformed into energy by the body. It is also rumoured to work exceptionally well as an appetite suppressive too. This is why it is the first one on our list. You get the benefit of the energy boost, and it helps to prevent pesky hunger pangs throughout the day too, helping you stay fuller for longer.
Serving Suggestion:
Use Coconut oil instead of olive oil to cook with. You can also add a lump of coconut oil to warm water and drink it first thing as your morning beverage. Not only does this cut out the sugar-rich tea and coffee, but it will also give you a natural boost of energy that is slowly released throughout the day.
ALMONDS
One of the best things about this versatile superfood is that it can be used in so many different ways. If you have a long commute to work ahead of you, or If you are just looking for an easy snack that doesn’t take too much preparation; Almonds are the ideal ingredient to add into a range of foods.
During Ramadan Almonds will give you the energy boosting vitamins that you need to get you through your fast. They are also enriched with the following vitamins:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B
- Iron
- Magnesium
Serving Suggestion:
Sprinkle Almonds over any breakfast cereal to give added texture and taste or crush them up and spread over your morning toast. They can also be added to most meals and fried lightly in a pan. If you combine the almonds with various dried fruits, it also makes for a tasty snack that takes no time at all to prepare.
BANANAS
Bananas are one of the most underrated superfoods out there today. They are easily eaten alone or can be a welcome addition to any morning meal. Why bananas feature on this list is because they are filled with Vitamin B6 and offer a slow release of energy throughout the day. This specific type of vitamin helps your body to produce energy quickly. They are also renowned for helping to calm any anxieties down and relieving stress – two major factors that can really bring on tiredness and fatigue.
Serving Suggestion: Without needing to add anything else, bananas are a tasty treat that are enjoyed by many on their own. You can also try frying them (in coconut oil), and add almonds in, to make a super-super-super food snack. If you are a fan of porridge, they also make a great accompaniment to your morning oats.
RAW VEGETABLES
Perhaps not the tastiest of suggestions in this list, but raw veggies are a most worthy superfood that you can have to help you get through the day during Ramadan. This applies to almost any vegetable in its raw form so you do have plenty to choose from. They add enzymes into your system and mean that your body uses much less energy to break down the other foods that you consume. This will give you extra energy during the day and help you to keep going for longer during a fast. Celery and Chickpeas are probably two of the best we would recommend.
Serving Suggestion: Make a small salad of raw veggies and add a splash of coconut oil and cayenne pepper to add some moisture and zing to this snack. You might also want to use cucumber, onions, tomatoes and some greens to really give this a tasty boost.
CHIA SEEDS
Although you will need to a Little preparation with the seeds if you buy them in their raw form, these little gems are packed with goodness and are truly worthy of their superfood status. Why Chia seeds work so well as a superfood is two-fold. They balance the blood sugar levels within the body, and at the same time, they slow down the conversion of starch to sugar. This completely stabilise the energy levels in your body and negate and sugar highs or lows. This helps you to get through the day without feeling like you are tired and in need of a boost to pick you up. They can also prevent dehydration because during the preparation process, they absorb up to 15 times their weight in water. This then gets released into body when they are being consumed and broken down. Ideal for fasting at Ramadan.
Serving Suggestion:
Chia seeds offer an extremely versatile range of options. Due in most to the fact that they can be added to almost anything. Put them in a salad, eat them on their own, or add them into any sauce of your choice to make a perfect meal that is enriched with goodness.
SPICES AND HOT PEPPERS
Who doesn’t like a bit of spice first thing to really energise and wake yourself up with? Although not traditionally something you might have first thing; they are bursting with energy and also helped to improve your circulation. This results in more oxygen getting around the body, which leads to a revitalising and energising effect.
Serving Suggestion:
Sprinkle hot cayenne pepper over your morning eggs to add flavour and give them a real kick. Not only does this dish give you much-needed protein, with the added spices, it will also release a huge boost of energy to your body and help to get your circulation pumping more oxygen through your body too.
QUINOA
Quinoa has been increasingly popular in European diets over recent years. Offering a super-rich alternative to traditional rice, these gluten-free grains should be a staple part of your Ramadan diet.
Quinoa containsa wide range of nutrients such as:
- Phosphurus
- Vitamin B
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
All of the above nutrients and more mean that you are left feeling fuller, for longer. Quinoa is enriched with complex carbohydrates and proteins. This is great news for anyone who is looking for the best foods to eat during Ramadan. It's because they are digested by the body easily, and this means your body uses less energy on digesting the food, which yes, you’ve guessed it, means you get more energy to keep in your tank to get you through the day during the fast. Essentially, they provide you with a source of sustainable energy, that will get you through the long day, and help you not feel tired or lacking in energy for your daily activities.
Serving Suggestion:
There are so many different ways you can use these grains. The easiest way to think about how to use Quinoa in your Ramadan diet is to look at wherever you might have used rice or bread in the past, such as with hot meals, salads, and snacks, then replace this with Quinoa. You can combine these grains with the raw veggies mentioned above for a real superfood boost that will be sure to keep you going throughout the entire day. Alternatively, you may choose simply just to add some tasty sauce, along with a healthy meat protein. However you choose to use them, they will help you to get through your day and give you the extra energy you need during your Ramadan fast.
These top 7 pre-fast superfoods above, have been chosen specifically because of their versatility, and ofcourse their outstanding ability to not just release extra energy into the body, but also to help you combat fatigue and tiredness that can sometimes creep into your day when you are fasting for Ramadan. If you have any recommendations of foods that get you through the day, help other readers and share your recommended foods in the comments below.
On the month of Ramadan, we wish you four weeks of blessings, 30 days of clemency, and 720 hours of enlightenment. Happy Ramadan!