Safe ramzan fasting for diabetics

by Dr. M Khalid Munir MBBS Cert. Diabetes (University of

Copenhagen, Denmark).

Ex Consultant Kamineni Wockhardt hospital. Hyderabad. Phone

9959098255, 9603018957. Whatsapp available. Video/Online
consultation through whatsapp/skype available. Available for
consultation at Manikonda and Nampally. Email
medlifeasia@gmail.com

Medicines or insulin need to be adjusted differently in ramzan for diabetics .

This is because blood sugar levels have a different cycle of variation in
ramzan due to fasting.

Your fast does not break by checking blood glucose or by insulin injection.

If you are experiencing hypoglycemia (Blood Sugar<70 mg/dl) or

hypoglycemic symptoms then it is advisable to break the fast and make up
for it after Ramadan. Islam does not each harming your body.

If you are not able to take a considerable amount of food in Sahur (pre dawn
meal), skip the morning medication or take half dose as per advise of your
doctor.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia include

1. Hunger , nervousness and shakiness

2. perspiration
3. dizziness or light-headedness
4. Sleepiness, confusion
5. difficulty speaking , feeling anxious or weak

Target blood glucose levels in people who have diabetes

Before meals 90 to 130 mg/dl

1 to 2 hours after the start of a less than 180 mg/dl

meal
Hypoglycemia (low blood 70 mg/dl or below
glucose)

You should stabilize your blood sugar level and diet before Ramadan. That is
you should maintain your blood sugar to normal levels and also follow a
regular routine of diet with medicines.

Home blood glucose test should be performed just before the iftar (sunset
meal) and two hours after dinner. The risk of hypoglycemia(Blood Sugar<70
mg/dl) is the greatest before the iftar (sunset meal).

For people taking insulin, blood glucose test should also be performed before
the pre-dawn meal to adjust the insulin dose and prevent any hypoglycemia
and post-prandial hyperglycemia following over-eating.

Immediate medical help should be taken for diabetics who have any
symptoms. Don't wait for medical assistance the next day.

Diet advice

Iftar:

Three Dates;Juice, 1 serving (4 oz.)

Dinner: Take some items from all these group.

Meat/Bean Group: Chicken, beef, lamb, goat, fish, 1-2 servings (serving size
= a slice =1 oz); green pea, chickpea (garbanzo, chana, humus), green
gram, black gram, lentil, lima bean and other beans, 1 serving (half cup).

Bread/Cereal Group: Whole wheat bread, 2 servings (serving size = 1 oz) or

cooked rice, one cup or combination.

Milk Group: milk or butter-milk (lassi without sugar), yogurt or cottage

cheese (one cup). Those who can not tolerate whole milk must try
fermented products such as butter-milk and yogurt. .

Vegetable Group: Mixed vegetable salad, 1 serving (one cup), (lettuce,

carrot, parsley, cucumber, broccoli, coriander leaves, cauliflower or other
vegetables as desired.) Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil or any polyunsaturated
oil and 2 spoons of vinegar.

Fruits Group: 1-2 servings of citrus and/or other fruits. Eat fruits as the last
item of the dinner or soon after dinner

Pre-dawn Meal (Sahur):

Consume a light sahur. Eat whole wheat or oat cereal or whole wheat bread,
1-2 serving with a cup of milk. Add 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil or any other
monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats in a salad or the cereal. Eat 1-2
servings of fruits, as a last item.

● Drink sufficient water between Iftar and sleep to avoid dehydration.

● Consume sufficient vegetables at meals. Eat fruits at the end of the
meal.
● Avoid intake of high sugar (table sugar, sucrose) foods through
sweets or other forms.
● Avoid spicy foods.
● Avoid caffeine drinks such as coke, coffee or tea. Caffeine is a
diuretic. Three days to five days before Ramadan gradually reduce the
intake of these drinks. A sudden decrease in caffeine prompts
headaches, mood swings and irritability.
● Smoking is a health risk factor. Avoid smoking cigarettes. If you
cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks
before Ramadan. Smoking negatively affects utilization of various
vitamins, metabolites and enzyme systems in the body.