Having a balanced iftar is important as it’s the meal that replenishes energy stores and helps sustain your fast the following day. You must place an extra effort into consuming the right foods to get the nutrients your body needs. Here is what Nicole Cooper, founder and Managing Partner of Simple Cafe Abu Dhabi, suggests for quick and easy tips that you need to know for a healthy and fruitful fast during the holy month of Ramadan:

Iftar – Rejuvenate and Replenish
Breaking your fast by eating a few dates is a traditional and healthy way to start iftar.  Dates are an instant source of natural energy which help the body to restore sugar levels after a day of fasting
Eat slowly and enjoy the taste and flavour of your food and be mindful of portion sizes.  This will help you to not overeat
Try to avoid processed, high fat, high sugar and fried foods. These foods can be a little troublesome for your gut after a day of fasting and cause slow digestion and  indigestion.
Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate!!! Drink plenty of water at least until your urine turns clear in colour. Hydrate before you caffeinate !! Try to reduce consumption of fizzy drinks and tea or coffee as caffein can also dehydrate.
Eat plenty of foods which also improve hydrations.  Like cucumber or watermelon.
Ensuring you are hydrated will improve your physical and mental function when fasting
Suhoor – Eat Well and Nutrient Dense
Choose foods that will help you sustain your energy through the fasting hours. For example aim to consume carbohydrates like fruit and vegetables, beans, chickpeas and lentils, will provide you with a long-lasting source of energy throughout the day.
Plant-based sources of protein include lentils, beans, chickpeas, seeds, nuts and nut butters (e.g. peanut butter, almond butter), and tofu or tempeh. Try to incorporate healthy fats like avocado, chia seeds, nuts, seeds, olive oil.

Nicola Cooper is the founder and Managing Partner of Simple

The foundation and ethos of Simple is that a healthy lifestyle and diet is all about balance.
While Simple promotes the health and environmental benefits of a plant based diet, we respect other individual dietary choices.