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90+ Ramadan Food Ideas to Break the Fast

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Find more than 90 of the best Ramadan food ideas to break your fast along with tips for staying healthy, satisfied, and energized throughout the entirety of the holy month! Whether you celebrate or not, you won’t want to miss out on these easy, flavor-loaded Ramadan recipes. 

What Is Ramadan? 

A holy month observed by Muslims, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The holiday is dictated by the shape of the moon, beginning and ending with its crescent shape. As a result, the time of observance for Ramadan changes every year but always lasts for 30 days. 

Muslims believe that in 610 A.D. God gave Muhammad the Qu’ran Islam’s holy book during the time of Ramadan. This action was the first time God revealed that Muhammad was a prophet in charge of carrying and spreading God’s message. 

Today, Ramadan is seen as a month of reflection that brings Muslims closer to God. During this time, they devote extra time to studying the Qu’ran and focusing on gratitude and compassion. In addition, Ramadan is marked by fairly intense periods of fasting throughout the day. 

*For more specifics on the origins and traditions of Ramadan, you can find detailed information on reputable sites such as those here and here

What Are Traditional Ramadan Foods? 

During Ramadan, those that are able to fast are permitted only two meals a day and do not break their fast. Even water is not consumed in between meals! As a result, consuming proper foods to stay healthy and energized of utmost importance. 

Traditionally, the first meal of the day, known as suhoor, consists of hearty, nutritious foods such as fruit and bread

Meanwhile, the second meal of the day, known as iftar, is comprised of several courses often including soup, main dishes, and sweet desserts

The type of traditional foods eaten during this time varies from region to region. However, some of the most popular items include dates, haleem, sambusa, kebab, fattoush, jallab, fresh fruit salad, maamoul, and baklava. 

What Cannot Be Eaten During Ramadan? 

Throughout Ramadan, there are no restrictions on food consumption. However, it’s advisable to be mindful of high-sodium and deep-fried foods that can make you feel dehydrated and lethargic. Prioritizing whole foods, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats is a great way to ensure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs. Here are some of our recommendations for foods to steer clear of in order to feel your best..

  • Fried and fatty items 
  • Foods that contain a high sodium content
  • Excessively sugary foods 
  • caffeine

Benefits of Fasting

In addition to having religious benefits, it is widely acknowledged that fasting can be beneficial for one’s overall health (as long as they are healthy enough to do so). While abstaining from frequent meals can help enhance willpower, it also has been shown to: 

  • Reduce Hypertension
  • Improve Brain Function
  • Assist with Weight Loss
  • Reduce the Risk of Cancer
  • Reduce Inflammation
  • Lower Blood Sugar

*Note: This is not medical advice. Please be sure to consult with your doctor before attempting to fast or making any dietary or lifestyle changes. 

a pita pocket full of kofta

Tips for Staying Healthy During Ramadan

While there are incredible mental and physical benefits that come from fasting during Ramadan, abstaining from food and drinks can be quite hard. Therefore, it is crucial to nourish your body properly during this time to ensure you stay healthy and energized. 

Of course, eating well-rounded meals is of utmost importance. So, be sure to load up on lots of high-quality protein, healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients from fruits and veggies. In addition, we also recommend: 

  • Prepping Ahead of Time – Having nutritious, pre-made meals will make it easier to stick to your healthy eating goals when you feel like you’re starving. Instead of standing over a stove waiting for your meals to cook, all you’ll have to do is heat them back up! 
  • Eating Suhoor – It can be tempting to hit snooze. However, we strongly recommend making sure you’re waking up early enough to eat suhoor, the frist meal of the day. This will help you feel your best until the evening. 
  • Hydrating – It can be easy to become dehydrated during Ramadan. So, we suggest trying to limit caffeine and consuming hydrating foods like soups, fruits, and veggies. Of course, you’ll also want to be sure to drink plenty of water. 
  • Eating Your Carbs – Low-carb diets might be popular right now, but Ramadan is not the time to partake! Carbs are our bodies’ number one source of energy. Consuming complex carbs rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber is one of the easiest ways to restore your energy and keep your body strong. 
  • Avoiding Processed and Packaged Foods – Highly processed items are often loaded with salt and sugar and have very little nutritional value. As a result, they’re likely to leave you feeling worse than before. 

90+ Ramadan Food Ideas 

Alright, now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s dive into the good part and talk all about Ramadan food! Below you’ll find a list of our favorite Ramadan recipes that we make for ourselves and our families not only during the holy month but all year round! 

Breakfast Ideas (Food for Suhoor) 

Of course, you can stick with classic breakfast recipes like scrambled eggs for a quick, filling meal. However, we like to prepare a large, satisfying spread for suhoor complete with sweet and savory recipes to set us up for a successful day! No matter what we’re serving, we love to add a side of fresh berries for extra nutrients and fiber. Keep reading to learn how to store them to keep them fresh! 

Snacks and Appetizers

While we’re not snacking during Ramadan, we do love a good appetizer to help kickstart the breaking of our fast, and these Ramadan foods are some of our faves. 

Sides and Salads

While we love a simple side like sweet potato fries, we tend to go all out during Ramadan with hearty recipes that pack in tons of energy and nutrients to help keep us satisfied. 

  • Lebanese Garlic Sauce (Toum Recipe) – There’s nothing this creamy garlic sauce can’t be paired with!
  • Lentil Salad Recipe – This Lentil Salad Recipe is loaded with fresh vegetables, herbs, and creamy tahini for a hearty vegan meal bursting with flavor and nutrients.
  • Manakeesh – An easy take on traditional manakeesh, this recipe is perfect to make ahead and serve for both suhoor and iftar.
  • Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe (Greek Cowboy Caviar) – We gave cowboy caviar a Greek flair with this sweet and savory salad recipe!
  • Mediterranean Quinoa Salad – This powerhouse recipe is loaded with plant-based protein, a myriad of veggies, and a refreshing dressing for a healthy salad you’ll love.
  • Parmesan Potatoes – Hands down the perfect side dish, these potatoes are buttery, soft, and crusted with tantalizing Parmesan.
  • Persian Jeweled Rice – Combine warm spices, dried fruit, and chopped nuts for the best rice you’ll ever taste!
  • Spiraled Cucumber Yogurt Salad – Suitable for a wide variety of dietary needs, this cucumber salad comes together in minutes with just 6 ingredients.
  • Bulgur Pilaf – The best way to switch up your carbs when you’re tired of rice, this Middle Eastern staple is loaded with veggies and warm spices!
  • Greek Salad – This easy Greek salad is better, healthier, and more budget-friendly than any restaurant version you’ll ever taste.
  • Vermicelli Rice – This dish is the best combination of pasta and rice for the ultimate comfort food.
  • Whipped Feta with Cucumber and Tomato Salad (Salata Baladi) – Smooth, creamy, crunchy, and savory, this is the best appetizer you’ll ever make. 

Main Courses 

The dishes we look forward to eating the most, these main courses aren’t your standard chicken tender dinner. Although they’re all easy to make, they’re full of warming flavors guaranteed to fill you with joy. 

Soups, Stews, and Chilis

More often than not, we enjoy a bowl of soup, stew, or chili for iftar. A great way to pack in nutrients and protein, they’re also a good source of liquids to keep you hydrated without needing to chug tons of water. 

Desserts

The part we’ve all been waiting for, you can have a list of Ramadan food ideas with mentioning our favorite Ramadan recipes for dessert! Although we make these all year long, we’re particularly fond of these treats during the holy month. 

a pan of yawmiyat om ali with a serving missing

Did you enjoy this round-up? Are you looking for more recipe ideas? Have questions, comments, or concerns? Let us know in the comments below!

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