Ramadan Nutrition for Pregnant Women: Healthy Iftar & Suhoor Ideas

In short: An example of iftar for a pregnant woman in Ramadan: two dates with milk, lentil soup, grilled chicken breast, brown rice and green salad. An example of suhoor: two boiled eggs, wholemeal bread, cucumber and tomato, and milk. Drink 6–8 glasses of water between iftar and suhoor. A pregnant woman with diabetes should have only one date, and women on insulin should not fast. Ask your doctor before fasting.

Ramadan is a spiritual opportunity eagerly awaited by Muslims worldwide, a time when the values of patience and getting closer to God are beautifully reflected in daily life.

Pregnancy is a sensitive stage that requires special attention to nutrition, and for this reason, God Almighty has permitted pregnant women to break their fast during the blessed month of Ramadan if fasting may affect their health or their baby’s.

Still, many expecting mothers wish to fast when they feel able to, and often find themselves facing important questions about how fasting may affect their pregnancy and their baby’s wellbeing.

One of the most frequent questions we receive at our clinic is from pregnant women asking about a suitable diet to follow while fasting during Ramadan, so they can get the nutrients they and their baby need without compromising their health.

In this article, we share some practical examples of balanced iftar and suhoor (pre-dawn meal) options for pregnant women. As always, please check with your doctor before deciding whether fasting is safe for you.

Iftar 1:

• Two dates + a cup of milk
• Lentil soup (rich in protein and iron)
• Grilled chicken breast
• Half a cup of brown or white rice
• Fattoush salad or green salad with olive oil

Benefits of this type of iftar:

• High protein content from chicken and lentils
• Fiber to improve digestion
• Vegetables containing vitamins
• A source of energy from brown rice

Suhoor 1:

• Two boiled eggs
• One slice of whole wheat bread
• Cucumber + Tomato
• One cup of whole milk

Iftar 2:

• Two dates + a glass of natural juice (orange or lemon)
• Grilled salmon
• Quinoa salad with vegetables
• Greek yogurt with nuts
• Half a cup of brown or white rice

Benefits of this type of iftar:

• Omega-3 from the fish
• Protein from the Greek yogurt
• Fiber from the salad
• Protein from the Greek yogurt
• Energy source from the rice

Suhoor 2:

• Half a cup of cooked oatmeal with milk
• Sliced berries or banana
• A handful of almonds or walnuts
• A cup of fresh orange juice
• Toast bread with cream cheese

Iftar 3:

• Two dates + a cup of milk
• Roasted veal
• Spaghetti made from wheat with a natural tomato sauce
• Tabbouleh

Benefits of this iftar:

• Protein from the meat
• Calcium from the milk
• A source of energy from the spaghetti
• Fiber from the tabbouleh to aid digestion

Suhoor 3:

• Toast with avocado
• Two boiled or fried eggs
• A cup of yogurt with nuts

Suhoor 4:

• Hummus with olive oil
• Whole wheat bread
• Cucumber + tomato
• A tablespoon of peanut butter
• Herbal tea without sugar

A Ramadan Diet Guide for Pregnant Women with Diabetes

• A pregnant woman with diabetes should receive close monitoring from her internist, because any rise or fall in blood sugar may affect both mother and baby.

Example of iftar for a pregnant woman with diabetes:

• One date with a glass of water
• Lentil soup (no potatoes)
• Grilled chicken breast, lean meat, or grilled fish
• Half a loaf of grain bread, or 4 tablespoons of brown rice, or half a cup of quinoa/bulgur
• Green salad with olive oil, or chickpea salad, or bean salad, or avocado slices
• A glass of milk or natural yogurt

We advise fasting pregnant women to enjoy a glass of yogurt with nuts after Taraweeh prayers.

Example of a pre-dawn meal (suhoor) for a pregnant woman with diabetes:

• A boiled egg or low-fat cheese/labneh
• A slice of whole-wheat bread or a whole-grain pita
• Vegetables (cucumber, tomato, lettuce)
• A spoonful of chia seeds or raw nuts

• A glass of low-fat milk or unsweetened laban (avoid fruit juice; have a piece of whole fruit instead)
• Oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk, topped with raw nuts or cinnamon (without honey or sugar)
• It’s important to note that international Ramadan guidelines advise pregnant women with diabetes (pre-existing diabetes, or gestational diabetes treated with insulin or tablets) not to fast, because dangerous drops and rises in blood sugar are more likely. Even diet-controlled gestational diabetes carries a high risk, so please speak with your doctor before deciding to fast.

Pregnant women with diabetes should try to avoid:

• Fried foods
• Ramadan sweets

• Sugar-sweetened juices and drinks, and fruit juice in general (eat whole fruit instead)

Pregnant women with diabetes should also make sure to take their medications on time to help avoid complications.

Important Tips for Pregnant Women During Ramadan

• If you suffer from high blood pressure, avoid salty foods.
• Start your iftar with liquids and wait about 10 minutes before your main meal.
• Avoid fried foods.
• Avoid carbonated drinks.
• Make sure to drink 6–8 glasses of water between iftar and suhoor.
• Walking for half an hour every day after iftar can help with digestion and support healthy blood sugar levels.

• Break your fast immediately and contact your doctor if you notice your baby moving less, feel dizzy, faint, shaky or sweaty, have very dark or little urine, severe headache, or abdominal tightening or pain. If you have diabetes, break your fast if your blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL or above 300 mg/dL.

If you have any questions about your nutrition or wellbeing during pregnancy, our clinic team is always happy to help guide you toward safe, personalized choices this Ramadan.

We wish you an accepted fast and a blessed iftar! 😊

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist