Mistake 1: Treating iftar like an all-you-can-eat meal
After a long fast it is easy to eat very quickly. A gentler approach is to break the fast, drink water, then eat a balanced meal with vegetables or fruit, a protein source and a sensible portion of rice, roti or another carbohydrate. Fried foods can fit occasionally, but they should not crowd out the whole meal.
Mistake 2: Skipping suhoor
Skipping suhoor can make the fasting day harder. Choose foods that provide protein, fiber and fluid, such as eggs, yogurt, oats, whole grains, fruit, daal or chana. Very salty foods can increase thirst.
Mistake 3: Replacing water with sweet drinks
Juices, soft drinks and heavily sweetened beverages can add large amounts of sugar without solving hydration well. Water should do most of the work. Spread fluids across the evening instead of drinking a very large amount at once.
Mistake 4: Changing medicines on your own
Fasting can affect the timing and safety of diabetes medicines, blood-pressure medicines and other treatments. Do not simply skip or double doses. Ask your clinician for a Ramadan plan before fasting if you use regular medication.
Mistake 5: Ignoring warning signs
Dizziness, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, dehydration or very high or low blood sugar may mean the fast is unsafe to continue. Religious exemptions exist for illness; health decisions should be individualized.