​​​Diabetes and Ramadan: 9 Tips for Fasting

You suffer from diabetes or you know someone who does, and you/they want to fast. Here are 9 tips on how those with diabetes can better manage Ramadan fasting.

Before you fast

1. Make the decision to fast with the doctor treating your diabetes before Ramada.

Ask your doctor and make sure that you can fast without harming yourself. This might be by trying to fast before Ramadan, under the supervision of your doctor to make sure that you aren’t harming yourself by fasting.

During your fast

2. Don’t skip Sahur (your pre-dawn meal)

You must not skip your Sahur (pre-dawn) meal. Have a well-balanced meal in the morning and take an appropriate amount of insulin for that, taking into consideration that you will not be eating through the day until sunset.

3. Choose foods with low glycemic index (GI) to prevent your blood sugar from fluctuating too much.

For example, basmati rice has a lower GI than regular white rice.

4. Drink 8 glasses of sugar-free fluids

Try to drink adequate fluids (choose sugar-free fluids) during Sahur and Iftar (sunset-meal) to replenish fluid loss during the day. Aim for 8 glasses a day.

5. Monitor your blood glucose levels when you are fasting

Self-monitoring of blood glucose during fasting is allowed during Ramadan. In fact, it is necessary for a successful fast.

6. Check for high blood glucose, low blood glucose levels or severe dehydration

You must be able to recognize when you have high blood glucose levels, low blood glucose levels or severe dehydration.

7. Signs you should talk to your doctor immediately:

The doctor may tell you to break your fast right away or find a solution to your problem when:

Blood glucose levels are:

• Blood glucose < 4.0 mmol/L during fasting
• Blood glucose > 16 mmol/lL

Signs of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)

1. 1. Feelings of tremors
   2. Sweating
   3. Palpitations
   4. Hunger
   5. Dizziness
   6. Confusion

Symptoms of severe dehydration

1. 1. Dizziness (feeling faint)
   2. Confusion

After your fast

8. Break your fast promptly and eat in moderation

Breaking of fasting should not be delayed. When breaking fast, drink plenty of fluids and have a healthy meal. 

9. Try not to go overboard with your meal!