Ramadan

While you're pregnant, there are a few things you should avoid if you plan to spend time in a Ramadan tent with your friends and family. Ramadan tents are often full of smoke. This may be harmful to you and your baby. Limit the time you spend in any ...

While you're pregnant, there are a few things you ...

Experts don't know if there is a link between fasting and miscarriage, as it isn't easy to tell. Most miscarriages happen in the first three months of pregnancy, but often a woman miscarries even before she realises that she is pregnant. A previous m...

Experts don't know if there is a link between fast...

Coffee and tea make you lose more water when you wee (diuretics), which may dehydrate you. And drinking tea and coffee with food can reduce the amount of iron that your body is able to absorb. You shouldn't have more than 200mg of caffeine a day when...

Coffee and tea make you lose more water when you w...

Suhoor is one of the most important meals to consume during Ramadan, as it keeps your energy levels up during the day. Don't skip this meal, as it will provide you with nutrients that fuel your body. It will also reduce hunger pangs, headaches and sl...

Suhoor is one of the most important meals to consu...

There's no ideal Iftar, but you could start with: * three dates and fruit juice to bring your sugar levels back to normal * semi-skimmed milk or laban * clear-based soup Then eat a well-balanced meal that may include: * Salad or fatoush. * Protein fr...

There's no ideal Iftar, but you could start with: ...

If you have decided to fast during pregnancy, there is no need to limit yourself to your Iftar (evening meal) and your Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). It is better to have several well-balanced, nutritious meals after you break your fast than eat just at the...

If you have decided to fast during pregnancy, ther...

* Keep calm and avoid stressful situations. Changes in your routine, a lack of food and water, and eating and drinking at different times, can cause stress. Pregnant women who fasted during Ramadan were found to have higher levels of the stress hormo...

* Keep calm and avoid stressful situations. Change...

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if: * You are not putting on enough weight, or are losing weight. You probably won't be weighed during your antenatal appointments, so try to weigh yourself regularly at home while you are fasting. There aren't...

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if: * You ...

Some surveys suggest that about three quarters of pregnant Muslim women worldwide choose to fast for Ramadan. But everyone has their own way of observing Ramadan. Most Islamic leaders say you should fast if you are healthy enough to do so. But they a...

Some surveys suggest that about three quarters of ...

Plan ahead to make things easier during Ramadan: * Talk to your midwife, who can check your health and for any possible complications, such as gestational diabetes or anaemia. Fasting may make you more prone to developing diabetes in pregnancy (gesta...

Plan ahead to make things easier during Ramadan: *...

If your weight and lifestyle are generally healthy you are likely to cope better with fasting. Your baby needs nutrients from you, and if your body has enough energy stores, fasting is likely to have less of an impact. How your body deals with fastin...

If your weight and lifestyle are generally healthy...

There's no clear answer. Despite research (Cross 1990, CIA/NHS 2007), we can't be sure that fasting is safe for you and your baby (NHS Choices 2010, Robinson and Raisler 2005). Fasting appears to be safe if: * you feel strong and well enough * your p...

There's no clear answer. Despite research (Cross 1...

Pregnant muslim women who fast during Ramadan are likely to have smaller babies who will be more prone to learning disabilities in adulthood, according to new research. Scientists in the United States also found that the women were 10 per cent less ...

Pregnant muslim women who fast during Ramadan are ...

Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced 2 cups fresh cantaloupe, peeled and diced 2 cups fresh honeydew melon, peeled and diced 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons orange juice 2 t...

Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Serves: 4-6 ...

Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: white rice or brown rice 1 onions, thinly cut 1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine masala ( garlic & lemon or garlic & herb or curry powder, just about anything that has flavour...

Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Serves: 4-6 In...

Prep Time: 3 mins Cook Time: 7 mins Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 (7 ounce) cans chopped mushrooms, undrained 2 cups water 2 tablespoons butter 1 small onions, chopped 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon seasoning salt 1 (12 ounce) cans evaporated mil...

Prep Time: 3 mins Cook Time: 7 mins Serves: 4 Ingr...

Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 cups long grain white rice 4 cups water, approximately 1/4 cup golden raisins 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon 1/8 cup olive oil 1/2 teaspoon saffron (optional) plain yo...

Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Serves: 4 Ing...

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Serves: 6-8 Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream ( for both of these ingredients I use low fat, it is really a personal choice) 1 (8 ounce) cans water chestnuts 1 (1 1/2 ounce) packages vegetable sou...

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Serves: 6-8 ...

Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ingredients: 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup unsweetend cocoa 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter, softened 3 large egg whites, ligh...

Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ingredients:...

Prep Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 40 mins Serves: 12 Ingredients: 2/3 cup sifted cake flour ( not self-rising) 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided 12 large egg whites, at room temperature 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/...

Prep Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 40 mins Serves: 12 I...

Prep Time: 25 minsCook Time: 10 minsServes: 2 Ingredients: garlic cloves 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt ( to taste) 2 teaspoons lemon juice ( about 1/4 lemon) 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini 2 1/2 cups whole milk yogurt ( I use Balkan) olive oil, to fry pita br...

Prep Time: 25 minsCook Time: 10 minsServes: 2 Ingr...