The holy month of Ramadan signifies a period of fasting. While fasting, it is easy to dispense with water as you do your daily activities. However, staying hydrated during Ramadan is a paramount need for your body.
Lack of hydration can lead to unforeseen circumstances like headaches, dizziness and general weakness. Therefore, you must maintain hydration during Ramadan to prevent avoidable issues like this.
Know how to stay hydrated during Ramadan with these tips
Drink enough water between suhoor and iftar
The first step to staying hydrated during Ramadan is to drink lots of water. Prepare a bottle of water you keep close and take a glass of water every hour or two. Taking lukewarm rather than cold water is also advisable to aid digestion. You don’t have to drink water at once or a lot during a meal; break it into small quantities to maintain hydration.
Break your fast with water and fruits
Take a glass of water before eating any meal when you break your fast. You can also take fruits like dates, which are a natural source of glucose. Other fruits like cucumber, oranges and watermelon are rich in water content and can help you stay hydrated during Ramadan.
Quench your thirst with water, not drinks
When thirsty, resist the urge to take sweetened beverages like cold soda. Instead, drink a glass of water. Some other drinks you might want contain sugar, which increases fluid loss and thirst.
Choose your other fluids wisely
You can also watch the other fluids you take to maintain hydration during Ramadan. Other fluids like tea, coffee, energy and carbonated drinks are not the best substitutes during Ramadan. This is because they can drain the body temperature balance, leading to increased thirst. For substitute fluids, you can enjoy your broths during iftar, as it hydrates your body and contains rich nutrients to help you recover energy.
Protect yourself from extreme temperatures
Your location for Ramadan may have hot weather. In this case, limit your exposure to the sun and any strenuous physical activity. Doing any of this can lead to sweating, thereby causing dehydration.
Your clothing matters: If you are in a place with hot weather, how you dress can also aid in maintaining hydration during Ramadan. Pick clothing that will help your sweat evaporate faster. Dress in loose, light-coloured clothes during the day so you don’t attract heat.
Avoid excessive use of spices: Whether it is for your iftar or suhoor meals, limit the amount of salt and spices intake during this period. Foods high in sodium only increase the body’s need for water, leading to dehydration.
Following the simple tips above should help ensure you provide your body with all the hydration during Ramadan.
