Ramadan Check-List. ICLDC’s Dr Saf Naqvi Offers Guidance For The Holy Month

Abu Dhabi UAE June 2015: From the desk of: Dr Saf Naqvi, Medical Director, Consultant Diabetologist and Endocrinologist at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre Keep In Touch With Your Physician

  • It is possible to manage diabetes and fast, but please do make sure to visit with your doctor before Ramadan, and  keep in touch with your doctor if you are not feeling well while you are fasting, especially if you are prescribed medication.
  • Your doctor will guide you how to adjust your doses and help adjust your fasting plan in complement with Ramadan fasting hours.

Space Out Your Meals

  • Remember that it is a good idea to pace your mealtimes during the non-fasting hours.
  • Try not to be tempted to eat continuously from Iftar to just before Fajr.
  • At Iftar, remember to break your fast with a light snack such as dates and soup.
  • Then, have a full meal about an hour later, followed by Suhoor, just before Fajr.
  • And, don’t skip any meals! 

Consume Good Carbohydrates; Consider Your Options

  • Slow release carbohydrates, known as low-glycaemic, are an excellent option for fasting food. These include wholegrain bread and basmati rice.
  • Fast release carbs, sugary food and food otherwise known as high-glycaemic index are best avoided. High glycaemic starchy food include potatoes and white bread.

Re-Hydrate Well

  • It is important that you do not get dehydrated.
  • Adequate amount of fluids is recommended, especially that this is a particularly hot time of year.
  • Don’t be tempted to reach for a drink with high sugar as a sudden surge of sugar in your system can result in a state of high blood glucose levels that may require hospital treatment. 

Moderate Activity Is Good

  • Moderate physical activity every day is a healthy option.
  • Walking is one of the best recommended activities for moderate exercise.
  • However, excessive exercise is best avoided for people who are fasting.

Four Top Tips For Ramadan Exercise 

  1. It is good to take some moderate exercise just before you break your fast at Iftar, and again just before going to bed, as well as right before Suhoor
  2. As you know, it is quite warm during Ramadan this year, and outdoor exercise might not always be the best option, so try to incorporate indoor activities like climbing the stairs. Start slowly and gradually with two flights at a time and refrain from pushing yourself too hard during the first few days.
  3. After the sun sets and just before dawn breaks, a short but brisk walk for at least 10 minutes is a good practise to adopt during Ramadan.
  4. If you decide to pop out to a Mall in the evening, park farther away from the entrance, walk the extra distance, and also enjoy a brisk walk around the mall walkways before your embark on your seasonal shopping!

For media enquiries: Susan Furness at Strategic Solutions for ICLDC Tel.: + 9714 3903030, Mobile: + 97150 6556126 Email: susan@strategicsolutionsonline.com About Imperial College London Diabetes Centre Imperial College London Diabetes Centre is a one-stop, state-of-the-art, out-patient facility that specialises in diabetes treatment, research, training and public health awareness. The Centre was established in Abu Dhabi by Mubadala Healthcare, in partnership with the UK’s Imperial College London, in 2006 to address the growing demand for diabetes care in the UAE.  A second facility in Al Ain opened in 2011.  Together, the Centres have offered diabetes prevention, education and treatment to more than 800,000 patient contacts. ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ is Imperial College London Diabetes Centre’s award-winning public health awareness campaign. It was launched in 2007 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Imperial College London Diabetes Centre holds the Joint Commission International (JCI) Clinical Care Program Certification (CCPC) in Diabetes Management and JCI Accreditation for Ambulatory Care, awarded in 2010 and again in 2013. The 2010 award made Imperial College London Diabetes Centre the only healthcare provider worldwide to hold both certifications and the first facility in the Middle East and third globally to hold JCI’s highly-acclaimed CCPC specifically for the clinical management of diabetes. For more information log on to www.icldc.ae

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