Discover simple ways to stay hydrated throughout Ramadan, including smart food choices, proper water intake, reducing salt and sugar, and avoiding strenuous activity and sun exposure.
How can you avoid thirst during Ramadan? This is a question many people ask, especially with the arrival of the holy month, combined with the hot weather and heat waves.
Tips to Avoid Thirst During Ramadan
To avoid thirst during Ramadan, we offer you the following tips:
1. Be Smart About Your Choices During Ramadan
Your wise choices for your diet are the key to a healthy and balanced diet during Ramadan. This is the main key and the most important thing to avoid feeling hungry or thirsty during fasting hours.
Opt for foods high in nutrients and fluids, such as vegetables, fruits, and yogurt. This will help in:
- Enhancing your feeling of fullness.
- Reducing hunger and thirst during the day.
That’s why it’s important to focus on vegetables and fruits, which are high in fiber and water, and which the body needs for long periods to digest them.
2. Drink Enough Water During Ramadan
Drinking enough water in a healthy and organized way will help you adapt to getting the necessary amount of water and compensate for what your body loses during the day.
To avoid thirst in Ramadan, here are some tips to follow:
- Distribute quantities of water consumed during Iftar and between Iftar and Suhoor.
- Drink no less than 8 cups of water, and if your body needs more, increase the amount of water to compensate for the loss of fluids in your body.
- Make sure to drink large amounts of water at once.
- Ensure that the temperature of the water is moderate and not cold, so as not to overwhelm your digestive system with the large amounts and problems.
3. Reduce Salt and Seasoning on Ramadan Meals
The more you consume salt and its sources, the more you feel thirsty during fasting. Therefore, the matter is related to the amount of spices, salty foods, and foods rich in oils you consume.
Therefore, be sure to:
- Reduce the amount of salt added to your food.
- Avoid pickles and salty foods.
- Use lemon on salads instead of salt.
- Focus on eating boiled and fresh foods instead of salty or fried foods, especially during Suhoor.
4. Avoid Simple Sugars
Sources of simple sugars, such as sweetened juices, soft drinks, and sweets, can increase your thirst and your body’s need for water, as they lead to fluid loss from cells and blood.
Therefore, to avoid thirst during Ramadan, here are some tips:
- Try to avoid consuming simple sugars as much as possible at Iftar or Suhoor in particular.
- Try replacing sweetened juices and sweets with natural fruits.
- Focus on complex carbohydrates and sources of fiber to get the energy you need.
5. Avoid Strenuous Physical Exertion
Be sure to fulfill your daily needs during reasonable times, without exhausting yourself during the day, and avoid any strenuous physical exertion.
Because exhausting yourself will not only reduce your ability, but will lead to increased sweating, which means fluid loss from the body.
6. Avoid Exposure to the Sun
We advise you to avoid exposure to the sun for long periods during fasting hours, as this may increase sweating and fluid loss from your body, and consequently, increase your feeling of thirst.
If you are forced to be exposed to the sun, use appropriate protection, such as a hat or light clothing.
Myth & Facts
Does drinking a lot of water at Suhoor prevent thirst during the day?
Drinking a lot of water at Suhoor does not completely prevent thirst during the day, but it helps in hydrating the body and reducing the feeling of thirst. It is important to distribute water intake throughout the non-fasting hours rather than drinking it all at once.
Does eating salty foods at Suhoor increase thirst during the day?
Yes, eating salty foods at Suhoor can increase thirst during the day. Salt causes the body to retain water, leading to dehydration and increased thirst. It is better to avoid salty foods and opt for hydrating options.
