Fasting During Ramadan: What Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Need to Know
During Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drinks, smoking, and intimate relations. This fasting period is a key part of Ramadan, symbolizing self-discipline, empathy for the less fortunate, and spiritual growth.
Ramadan is not only about fasting but also about spiritual reflection, increased prayer, and acts of charity. It is a time for Muslims to strengthen their faith, foster empathy for others, and practice self-discipline. Muslims around the world look forward to this sacred month as a time of spiritual renewal and community bonding, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.
In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of ramadan fasting for pregnant or breastfeeding women to help you make an informed decision about whether it's right for you.
Intermittent fasting, like that practiced during Ramadan, has gained attention for its potential health benefits. Several studies suggest that intermittent fasting can improve metabolic health, reduce inflammation, aid in weight loss and increase longevity. However, for pregnant or breastfeeding women, the effects of intermittent fasting can be different due to the increased nutritional demands of pregnancy and lactation.
I've interviewed a couple of women from MyAuthentikSpoon community, who fasted during their pregnancies and while breastfeeding and here is what motivated them to fasting:
Being part of the fasting community: Bonding with their fasting family and friends is a key motivator for many women.
Feeling able to do it: Actually these women really listen to their bodies and they felt able to fast they did and didn't fast when they didn't feel confortable. Safaa, for instance, told me that she fasted for her first 3 pregnancies but couldn't do it for the last one as that pregnancy was more complicated.
No need to make up missed fasts: The fact that women don't have to make up the missed 30 days later in the year is a significant relief, as fasting for 30 days alone can be challenging without the usual community and family bonding experienced during Ramadan.
Health benefits: Weight loss, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing inflammation, are the main expected health benefits for pregnant women fasting during Ramadan, but the prerequisite is to break the fast correctly by nourishing the body with enough fluids like water, vegetable juices, balanced smoothies, broths, soups, herbal teas as we all enough macro-nutrients: the protein, the healthy fats, a diversity of fiber (We call them PFF at MyAuthentikSpoon) and some unrefined carbohydrates. As a naturopathic chef, I recommend to go beyond and pay attention to the micro-nutrients, so the vitamins and minerals needed for so many bodily processes link growth, detoxification as well as the phytonutrients that support our gut health, immunity, etc.
On the other hand, fasting Ramadan while pregnant or breastfeeding can be detrimental to some women due to these factors:
Nutrient Deficiency: Pregnant and breastfeeding women have increased nutrient needs, and fasting can make it challenging to meet these needs, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies. This is mainly true in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters when the fetus is undergoing rapid growth or the 1st and 2nd trimester when the baby is exclusively breastfed and has not yet been introduced to solid foods.
Potential Impact on Milk Supply: For breastfeeding women, fasting may reduce milk supply due to the decreased fluids and caloric intake and potential nutrient deficiencies. I think it's really a shame to stop breastfeeding earlier due to less milk supply.
Increased Stress: Pregnancy and breastfeeding already put a significant amount of stress on the body, and adding fasting could further increase stress levels, leading to a cascade of hormonal and metabolic imbalances.
While ramadan fasting may offer some benefits for pregnant or breastfeeding women, including community bonding and spiritual growth, it also comes with potential risks, including nutrient deficiencies, hypoglycemia, and reduced milk supply. That's why the Quran allows pregnant and breastfeeding women to not fast as long as they make it up later in the year. I believe it's a personal choice each woman should make based on her health history, energy level, and the well-being of her fetus or baby. Consulting a healthcare provider to ensure there are no contraindications to fasting is essential.
Article written by Asmaa Lahlou, Naturopathic Chef, co-founder of MyAuthentikSpoon
