Q&A: What are the benefits of wholegrains during fasting

What are the benefits of consuming wholegrains if I’m fasting?

Wholegrains, softly cooked, either as porridge, or soup, are highly beneficial during the fasting month. Wholegrains release glucose slowly. This helps to provide the body with energy for a longer period. Wholegrains also help restore energy efficiently and are similar to the fruits in that quality. Ensure the wholegrains are cooked well, preferably slow cooked and eaten with fewer proteins and more vegetables for easy digestion and assimilation. Soups containing wholegrains are a quick way of re-establishing energy drain after fasting during the day, especially during the hot summer.

Grains are considered wholegrain when all three original parts — bran, germ and endosperm are still present. Processed or refined grains are missing one or more of these key parts.

How do I minimise the risk of suffering from headaches if I’m fasting?

The usual cause of headaches when you’re fasting is not drinking enough water, so drinking water during suhour is important. For the hours that you’re awake during the night, you should make sure you sip fluids, to reduce the risk of dehydration. Too much salt, spicy and fried food, bread, biscuits and meat should be avoided during the night. People who suffer from migraines should take extra precautions to minimise the risk of dehydration as it can be a trigger for painful episodes.