Quick Iftar Tips for the Family Caregiver

Quick Iftar Tips for the Family Caregiver - MalaysiaCaregiving Support

Quick Iftar Tips for the Family Caregiver

After a day of fasting and caregiving, the time to break fast is long-awaited. Here are a few tips that may help the family caregiver have better iftars this Ramadan.

Fasting orSawmis one of the five pillars of Islam; specifically the fourth pillar. During the Ramadan month, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims all over the world refrain from eating and drinking. It is only when the sun dips below the horizon and the day has come to its end that Muslims break their fast with an evening meal callediftar.

As a family caregiver, caring for loved ones on top of fasting may be a tiring experience.Iftaris the occasion in which sustenance is regained and replenished. Here are some tips and reminders for family caregivers to enjoyiftarthis Ramadan.

Plan and prepare meals beforehand

As a caregiver, it may be a struggle trying to juggle caring for loved ones whilst also trying to immerse in the Ramadan fast and rituals. This may be especially challenging when the time to break fast approaches as theiftarmeal needs to be prepared beforehand.

Meal preparation is a good way to save time and money as the food can be made in big batches, stored in the refrigerator and heated up when it is time to be served. When planning foriftardinners, family members can come together to give their input on their favourite meals, easy-to-make dishes and simple suggestions on what best to have foriftar.

When preparing for the meals, family members can take turns to shop for groceries and cook so that the task of cookingiftardinners does not fall solely on a single person. As this Ramadan period is a time for family, involve and include loved ones in the decision-making process to makeiftarmeals a time that everyone looks forward to.

You can also opt for pre-made meals or supporting your local food haunts by ordering food in advance from a range of apps so that you have more free time off for yourself on some days.

Break your fast as soon as the call of prayer is heard

As the last few rays of the sun fade into twilight, get the family together around the table in anticipation of breaking fast. Take this time to reflect on the events of the day, makeduaor prayer for better days and seek solace in God.

Finally, when the call of Maghrib prayer is resounding in the air, it is then time to break your fast together. There is no need to extend your fast any longer than necessary asfasting for too long may cause the body to start breaking down muscle protein for energy. It is alsoSunnahto break fast quickly when it is time. TheProphet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The people will continue to prosper as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.”(Sahih Muslim, 2417, Book 6)

Break your fast with dates and water

Fruit of the date palm tree, dates can be eaten fresh or dried. It was a tradition of the Prophet tobreak fast with dates and water. Therefore, it’s only fitting to try to emulate His ways and followSunnahin this holy month. Of course, this practice does not come without its reasons.

Dates arehigh in fibre, antioxidants and nutrientsand easily digestible making them a quick source of energy. This helps the body to return its blood glucose level to normal after a long day of fasting.

Eat in moderation

With the temptations of local delicacies and abundant types ofkuihfrom theBazaar Ramadan,it would be easy to overindulge in these Ramadan treats. However, keep in mind one of the pivotal values during Ramadan;only eat what you need and not what you want. When buying food from the bazaar or stalls, resist the urge to over-purchase so as to avoid the common issues of overeating or wasting of food when it goes uneaten.

Overeating may also lead to health complications such as hyperglycemia in people with diabetes, weight gain and causepressure to build, gastric acid to back up and lead to heartburnwhen there is too much food in the stomach. There is no need to overcompensate for the meals that were missed during the day. Eat in moderation and in accordance with what is actually required.

It is advisable to divideiftarinto two parts so as not to overwhelm the body. In the first part, break fast with dates and water followed by a light snack. Practice restraint and slowly pace yourself. After the first part ofiftar, take a break and perform prayers or just rest from eating. Then, the second part ofiftarcan commence.

If there is still lingering hunger and a pang for food aftertarawihprayers, have a simple supper ormoreh. Keep it light with some fresh fruit, nuts or small portionskuih. Eating heavy meals before going to bed might lead to acycle of overeating and weight gain and is definitely not advisable for people prone to acid reflux as lying down for bed so soon after eating exacerbates the reflux.

Iftar: Traditions for the Family

Caregiving can be a demanding task that takes a toll on oneself and this is further compounded with the fast during Ramadan. But the key to a healthy Ramadan is eating in moderation and maintaining a balanced diet and this practice should be carried throughout the fasting period and even after.

Iftaris a joyous occasion in which Muslims gather with family and friends to break their fast whilst instilling feelings of gratitude and empathy. The true meaning of fasting is not to get through the day with little to no food and drink, but it is to understand the plight of the less fortunate and appreciate what we have.

wishes you Ramadan Mubarak and Selamat Berpuasa. References

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