Assalamu Alaikum All,
I have come across a few sites which may be helpful in managing food intake during Ramadan for pregnant and lactating muslimahs. Let me know what you think! A note to all my pregnant & lactating sisters, make sure your getting your 2 Ltrs of water everyday, fasting or not fasting!
Website: http://www.womenone.org/health13.htm
Whole article is good, I have given excerpt of diet to follow for Ramadan for pregnant woman:
The diet during this period is designed to promote optimal nutrition for the woman and child. WHAT you eat, as well as HOW MUCH is important. You have a healthy diet if you are choosing food from each of the major food groups; the grain group, fruit and vegetable group, meat and dairy groups. The meat group will include vegetarian options such as nuts, beans, eggs, milk and dairy. By eating from each food group you will receive all the nutrients that you need to stay healthy. The following nutrients are especially important:
1) Iron- A high intake of vitamin C will help increase iron absorption Iron rich foods include:
# Liver, beef, veal, Lamb, turkey
# Iron enriched breads and cereals
# Dried beans, green leafy vegetable, raisins, dried prunes, apricots
# Nuts and seeds
2) Folic acid-Good sources of folate are:
# Green leafy vegetables (Spinach, beet, and turnip greens), kidney, liver, beef, wheat products, eggs.
3) Calcium:- Calcium rich foods are:
# Milk group (milk , yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese).
# Fish with bones (canned salmon), tofu
# Dark leafy vegetables, bok choy, broccoli, beans
# Figs, sunflower seeds, tahini, almond butter
# Calcium fortified soya milk, juices, and cereals
You should not ignore your water consumption. It seems obvious but drink lots of water! If Ramadan falls during the summer, then your doctor may advice you not to fast since dehydration could pose a problem. At this time of the year (winter) you may safely fast since the weather is pleasant. The normal pregnant woman should drink at least a minimum of 2 liters each day during the non-fasting hours, irrespective of the climate.
Some good food choices to break your fast are:
# Fresh fruits
# Fresh fruit juice
# Porridge with skimmed milk and fresh or dried fruit to sweeten
# Low-fat natural yogurt with fresh dried fruits and seeds
# Boiled egg/grilled chicken/baked beans on whole meal toast
A few hours later, you could have another healthy meals which may include good choices such as :
# Whole-meal bread roll without butter (choose herbs instead), filled with egg and tomatoes, chicken and salads, low-fat cheese and salad, or tuna with cucumber and tomato.
# Whole meal pasta with tomato based sauce, with a large salad.
# Salad with fish, chicken, or low-fat cheese. Add whole meal bread or rice.
# Baked potato (no butter or oil) with tuna or low-fat cheese (avoid high fat toppings like cheddar)
# Vegetables which are steamed and whole meal khubs with half a small tub of hummus.
# Grilled chicken, meat, or fish with a big bowl of raw salad/rice or bread.
# Fresh fruits.
Healthy low-fat options which you may have for your sahour are:
# Chicken tikka with plain boiled rice or tandoori nans.
# Vegetable soups (without oil or butter), steamed fish, stir fried noodles, or beans sprouts, boiled rice.
# Spaghetti with tomato based sauce.
# Poached or grilled fish, baked or boiled potatoes, raw vegetable salad, fresh fruits.
Some golden rules to follow when fasting:
# Avoid too much fat/sugar/salts and caffeine.
# Always have fresh food available.
# Stick to a low fat diet. Cut out fried foods.
# Choose fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible. You can never eat too many fruits and vegetables. The number of calories in this great food source is low. So you are getting lots of great stuff for your body without the worry of too many calories.
# Don’t worry if you are tempted by rich desserts which can’t be avoided during this month. Just try to eat them in moderation.
____________________________________________________________________
Website: http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=RR0210-1775
Whole article is good, excerpt relating to pregnant fasting women:
Pregnant and lactating women’s needs for energy and nutrients are more critical than the needs of men (14). There is a possibility of health complications to the pregnant woman and the fetus or the lactating mother and the breastfed child, if energy and nutrient requirements are not met during the month of Ramadan (15-19). Governments, communities, and heads of the family must give highest priority to meet women’s dietary needs. In African countries, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and many other places malnutrition is a major problem, especially among women from low-income groups. Further more, it is common among these women to perform strenuous work on farms or in factories, and other places. Malnutrition and strenuous conditions may lead to medical problems and danger to life. Under these conditions one must consult a medical doctor for treatment and maulana or shiekh for postponement or other suggestions regarding fasting. Quran Al-Hakeem and Hadith allow pregnant women and lactating mothers flexibility during the month of Ramadan.
For practical purposes and estimation of nutrients a diet was formulated, given below:
Iftar: 3 dates, 1/2 cup of orange juice, 1 cup of vegetable soup, 2 plain graham crackers; dinner: 1 cup of vegetable salad with two teaspoons of corn oil and two teaspoon of vinegar, 2 oz. of chicken, 1/2 cup of okra, 4 oz. of cooked whole chana (garbanzo), 3 tea spoon of oil while cooking main dishes, 2 slices of whole wheat bread, 1 cup of cooked rice, 3/4 cup of plain yogurt, one orange, 1/2 cup grapes, 1 oz of nuts-mixed roasted-without salt; sahur: 2 slices of whole wheat bread, 1 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of vegetable salad with two teaspoons of corn oil and two teaspoons of vinegar, 1 skinned apple, 2 teaspoons of sugar with tea or coffee.
Nutritionist IV (20) was used to estimate energy and nutrient content in the above diet, which was as follows: energy, 2136 kilocalories; protein, 70g; carbohydrate , 286g; fat, 87g, 35 % of energy of the total intake, (saturated fat 16.9g; mono saturated, 28.4g; poly unsaturated, 34g; other 7.3g; – oleic, 25.6g; linoleic, 29.5; linolenic, 0.6g; EPA-Omega-3, 0.006g; DHA-omega-3, 0.023g; dietary fiber 34g; calcium, 1013mg; sodium, 3252 mg; potassium, 2963mg; iron 13.3mg; zinc, 10mg. When the nutrients were compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), for an adult non-pregnant and non-lactating female (14), the diet met 100% or more of the RDA for protein, calcium, sodium, potassium, and vitamin A, K, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folate, and C. The energy was close to the RDA, (97%). The dietary fiber level also was met as per the recommendation (11). Consuming food in the above amount by pregnant or lactating female may not meet the RDA for all of the nutrients. They may need supplementation of some minerals and vitamins such as, iron vitamin D, and more energy through bread or rice.
______________________________________________________________________
Finally, if you fall short of ideas of what to prepare for meals during Ramadan, I found the following recipe site that might help. Check it out!
If you realise your getting weaker by the day fasting whilst pregnant, you need to consult your GP (Doctor) as I have done! The two risks to baby which I have heard of are dehydration and drop in glucuse level in blood. Ofcouse some women get by perfectly fasting whilst pregnant, others may not. Allah knows best!
By: sisteraddy on September 20, 2007
at 11:12 am
What about exercise while preganant and fasting.
I didn’t want to stop it altogether…but when I did take about a 45 min walk in the park with my kids, for some reason I got seriously dehydrated and weak.
Insha’allah maybe it was timing, I went when it was about 3 hours left till the end of fasting….
By: Sabeen on September 8, 2008
at 4:18 pm
Assalamu Alaikum Sabeen,
I’m really not sure about exercise whilst pregnant and fasting. This one is really for your GP to comment on. I can only give me guesstimated opinion which is I dont think it should be done, as cleaning, cooking and taking care of children is already sufficient workout. If your not eating anything throughout the day, what have you got to burn by exercising?
By: sisteraddy on September 9, 2008
at 2:14 am