The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

As Muslims worldwide continue with the holy month of fasting, the spirit of piety manifests through good deeds, immense spiritual energy, and positive vibrations within one’s soul. Perhaps the only downside to the equation is that, more often than not, as Egyptians, we tend to overindulge in food, caffeine, and desserts. Of course, this habit of overindulging sometimes takes us on a downward spiral of other patterns that leave us feeling tired and energy-depleted, so here are a few tips for staying healthy this Ramadan. 

Control your portions

We know we all get tempted during Ramadan gatherings; however, we need to understand that hunger tempts us to overeat without noticing. Iftar should be a well-balanced, nutritious meal and not a feast, at least not every day. Overeating and excessive consumption of fried or high-fat foods may result in indigestion and weight gain. Slow down and enjoy the flavours mindfully, and try to have a balanced plate filled with salads, grains and protein – not just mahshi, no matter how delicious it is! 

Proper exercising 

Eating healthily and limiting refined sugars during Ramadan go hand in hand with regulating your energy levels, which is imperative if you hit the gym during the holy month. The best time to exercise in Ramadan is before sunset, right before Iftar. Work out about one hour after eating if a busy schedule doesn’t allow you to go before – at that point, you’ll have digested some of the food, which will give you more energy. Ideally, strength training and non-rigorous cardio are best if you’re fasting, but if you wish to have a high-intensity cardio, it should be done after the fast is broken.

Rehydrate sensibly

While it might be tempting to drink as many fluids as you can after sunset, this isn’t really beneficial for your body. Eating fluid-rich foods, such as fruit, vegetables, soups, and stews, is crucial to replace fluids lost during fasting. After Iftar, it is better to drink plenty of water in frequent sips – water hydrates the body better than fizzy drinks, fruit juices, and caffeinated beverages. 

Balance sugar and salt intake

Sugary desserts and salty foods might be staples on Ramadan tables, but keeping your intake balanced is crucial in helping you maintain your fast the next day. Like with sugary drinks, high salt and sugar intake can also cause you to lose more water through your kidney filtration system. So, your best bet is to avoid them, especially during Suhoor, unless you want to spend the rest of the day feeling tired and dizzy. 

Suhoor Essentials

A proper Suhoor helps the body stay full and hydrated during the fasting period. It also enables you to avoid overeating when you break your fast; you need to include all main food categories in your meal, not just fuul and eggs. Preferably, a well-rounded meal should consist of fibre, protein, fluids, and complex carbs. So, always try to incorporate some grains, fruits and vegetables into your Suhoor meals.