Having to avoid tea or coffee in the wee hours of the morning during sahoor may seem impossible, but in doing so you’ll actually have a much easier time when you’re fasting throughout the day. Tea and coffee are both diuretics, which means that they facilitate the release of liquids from your body. Having to urinate more deprives your body of important mineral salts which are crucial for the optimal functioning of your body.
Some foods to also avoid are processed foods that contain high amounts of carbohydrates and fatty food such as biscuits, cakes, and chocolates. Instead, your pre-dawn meal should be a wholesome meal that is filling and provides enough energy to sustain yourself for the next few hours.
Dates for example, will provide a burst of energy. Fruit juices will also have a similar revitalising effect. Start your pre-dawn meal by drinking plenty of water, which helps rehydration and reduces the chances of overindulgence.
Complex carbohydrates are foods that help release energy slowly during the long hours of fasting. They are found in foods such as barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour and basmati rice. Fibre-rich foods are also digested slowly and include cereals, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables such as green beans, and almost all fruit.