Fasting during Ramadan when on GLP-1 medication

Tips for Ramadan

Ramadan recipes

Following Second Nature as a muslim

Healthy tips for Eid

Hypoglycaemia: Blood sugar levels can become dangerously low if you’re combining GLP-1 medication with fasting, especially if you are unable to eat enough or regularly throughout the day. This can cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, and confusion. Always inform your GP before starting a fast while taking these medications and seek medical attention if you develop any symptoms of low blood sugar.
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Increased side effects: GLP-1 medications often cause gastrointestinal issues like nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, or vomiting, and these can worsen during fasting. The medication slows digestion significantly. Without regular food intake to offset this, food and gas remain in the stomach for longer, leading to increased discomfort.

Dehydration: Your risk of dehydration increases significantly if you are not drinking water during fasting or if you are not consuming foods high in water content. Dehydration can lead to headaches, fatigue, and dizziness, and may worsen the side effects of GLP-1 medications.

Hydrate with plain water at Souhour and Iftar. If you prefer, coconut water is also effective.

Avoid caffeine and foods high in excess salt, which increase thirst

Aim for high-water-content fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, apples, strawberries, cucumber, lettuce, celery, bell peppers, tomatoes, courgette, and broccoli, which all have water content of more than 90%.

Talk to your Imam to consider hydrating outside of Souhour and Iftar

You can also consider using rehydration sachets during the fasting period

Have smaller, balanced meals at Souhour and Iftar instead of large, heavy meals to manage side effects and ease digestion.

Prioritise protein at meals to sustain energy and maintain muscle mass. Include foods like meat, eggs, legumes, and dairy.

Limit ultra-processed high-fat foods, which take longer to digest and require more energy to digest. With this, especially try to limit deep-fried foods, which are high in trans fats and are more unsettling for the gut.

Practice mindful eating by slowing your intake after fasting and support digestion and better notice your hunger and fullness cues while on medication.

Try the 20:20:20 mindful eating strategy: Chew food for 20 seconds, pause for 20 seconds between bites, and eat for at least 20 minutes to savour your food and support digestion.

Break your fast simply and traditionally with dates, water, and fruit to gently reintroduce food, rehydrate, and gradually increase blood sugar levels.

Begin with soup, broth, or salad for a light, easily digestible, and hydrating start to your meal.

Have a protein-rich snack later in the evening, around 10-11 pm, for sustained energy and fullness overnight.

Try to wake up on time for a nutritious breakfast during the Souhour meal and a chance to rehydrate. Set an alarm for bedtime and wake time to ensure you can eat and hydrate when you can.

Follow Second Nature meal guidance in our guides shared at the start, and also our balanced Iftar mat below:

Maintain your regular weekly injection schedule during Ramadan

You may take your injection after Iftar or Souhour to reduce nausea, as these times allow you to take the medication with food, which may also enhance appetite suppression during fasting hours.

Do not increase your dose during Ramadan; keep to your pre-Ramadan dose

You may even choose to reduce your dose to support your well-being during Ramadan.

You can pause the medication if necessary and resume after Ramadan. Contact your health coach to plan this if needed.

Maghrib and Fajr Prayer: After Iftar, Maghrib prayer is a chance to pause, reflect, and connect with yourself as your body digests your meal, as with after Souhour at the Fajr prayer. Use this time to also enjoy the comfort, peace, and calmness of this holy fast, keeping the month as stress-free as possible. Stress can affect our digestion, hunger, blood glucose levels, and overall health.

Consider a spiritual fast only: if a food fast is too difficult, consider a partial fast by limiting certain activities during Ramadan as recommended by Islamic religious guidelines.

Keep exercise light: Avoid pushing your body and mind with intense exercise during this time. Conserve energy by keeping exercise gentle, such as a slow-paced family walk, a yoga session, or light stretching.

Be kind to yourself: don't be discouraged if you struggle, and remember your spiritual purpose of the fast.

Rest well: Stick to a sleep schedule that allows 7-9 hours of sleep a night. If Ramadan is resulting in late nights after meals and time spent with family, try to take a nap during the day if possible to catch up on sleep.

Accept support: Your family, friends, and religious community are there to support you. Be open and flexible about your fasting intentions during Ramadan and what you may be finding challenging. Perhaps others can help by preparing lighter meals with you, planning high-protein snacks, and keeping water visible around the house.