It's important to choose your meal wisely for suhoor (also called sahur, sahri, or sehri); as the first meal of the day during Ramadan, this is the food that's going to keep you energized until sundown. So where do you start? Sana Motlekar, a registered dietitian at Lagom Nutrition, said that for suhoor, you want to choose healthy foods that will keep you full and satisfied, while avoiding the processed ones that sap your energy and leave you hungry and thirsty. In other words, "what we eat for suhoor sets us up for the rest of the fast," Motlekar told POPSUGAR. You want to eat the "key nutrients that typically help us feel our best during the fasting period."
For suhoor, Motlekar recommended eating protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Each of these macronutrients has nutritional benefits on its own, and putting them all together in one meal "helps us balance our blood sugar levels and keeps us fuller for longer," she explained.
Wondering how to fulfill all those recommendations? Motlekar suggested a few healthy, filling suhoor dishes to add to your rotation.
Motlekar recommended limiting your salt intake during suhoor, as salty foods can make you thirsty during your fasting hours. You'll also want to avoid processed carbs and foods that are high in simple and added sugars and low in fiber, she said, such as white bread, pastries, and sugary drinks. These can spike your blood sugar and make you crash soon after, leaving you low on energy for the rest of your day.
And no matter what food you choose, Motlekar recommended "eating slowly and chewing your food properly," which can help you improve your digestion and feel more satisfied now and throughout the fasting period.