What should you eat in Ramadan if you are diabetic
What should you eat in Ramadan if you are diabetic
The month of Ramadan is considered the holiest in the Islamic religion. This year, Ramadan began on 6th May and this marks the beginning on the month long-fasts observed by the Muslim community all over the world.
There is a lot of speculation about the fact that whether people suffering from diabetes can fast or not. There is a tussle between health and faith during this period. It is often said that people with a lower level of diabetes can fast.
Hypoglycemia is the condition where the blood sugar levels fall under the normal level. Long hours of fasting can affect the blood glucose level up to a great extent. You can also experience Diabetic Ketoacidosis where the body starts burning fat for energy if it doesn't get enough glucose. It forms waste products called ketones, which in turn makes the blood acidic. This can be dangerous for your health. Your blood glucose levels can go up if you overeat when the fast gets broken which is called hypoglycemia. As it not allowed to drink water in while fasting, it can also lead to dehydration.
How fasting affects the diabetics
Diabetic people are advised to eat in every 4-6 hours. They are recommended to organise their meals properly. But Ramadan requires 11- 16 hours of fasting, especially in the summers when the sun sets late. It can be harmful to health and cause problems in the long run. If you are diabetic and are still planning to fast, you should be aware of these problems.
