Ramadan & Diabetes: Fasting More Safely
Fasting in Ramadan is important to many people with diabetes. With preparation and medical advice, many can fast more safely, but fasting is not safe for everyone, and it is worth planning ahead well before Ramadan begins.
Key takeaways
- Speak to your doctor before Ramadan to review medicines and risk.
- Some people are at high risk and may be advised not to fast.
- Know the signs of low and high blood sugar and when to break the fast.
- Hydration at suhoor and iftar, and balanced meals, help a lot.
Plan before Ramadan begins
A pre-Ramadan check-up lets the doctor review your control, adjust the timing or dose of medicines, and talk through your personal risk. Doses of some tablets and insulin often need changing for fasting, so this conversation is important and should not be left to the last day.
Break your fast if your blood sugar goes very low (for example shakiness, sweating, confusion) or very high, or if you feel seriously unwell. Protecting your health takes priority, and Islamic guidance makes allowances for illness.
Eating and drinking well
- At suhoor, choose slow-release foods (whole grains, daal, vegetables) to stay fuller longer
- Drink plenty of water between iftar and suhoor to avoid dehydration
- Avoid loading up on fried snacks and very sweet drinks at iftar
- Keep a source of fast sugar nearby in case of a low
If you monitor your blood sugar, checking it during the day does not break the fast. This can reassure you and help you and your doctor make safe decisions.
When international guidance says the fast should be broken
International Ramadan guidance for people with diabetes (IDF-DAR) advises breaking the fast immediately if your sugar falls below 70 mg/dL or rises above 300 mg/dL, or if you feel the symptoms of a low: shakiness, sweating, confusion. Scholars widely recognise that protecting health takes priority in this situation. Agree the exact numbers that apply to you with your own doctor before Ramadan begins.
Guidance also groups people by risk before Ramadan. Higher-risk situations include insulin use with previous severe lows, pregnancy with diabetes, kidney disease, and recent very poor control; for some of these, medical advice may be not to fast. This is exactly what the pre-Ramadan review visit is for: many people can fast safely with an adjusted plan, and your doctor can tell you honestly which group you are in.
When to see a doctor
- Before Ramadan, to review medicines and whether fasting is safe for you.
- If you have had recent low blood sugar, or complications of diabetes.
- If you are pregnant, on insulin, or have kidney disease.
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