![]() When you break the fast, include only small quantities of sugary and fatty foods such as Indian sweets, cakes, samosas and puris, as too many are bad for your health. Fruits, vegetables and salad should also be included. Also be mindful of portion sizes of carbohydrate containing foods. If you have diabetes and are fasting, it is a good idea to include more slowly absorbed foods (that have a lower glycaemic index) just before you begin the fast.Ĭhoosing these types of foods will help to fill you up and keep your blood glucose levels more even during the course of the fast. However, it is important to keep to a balanced way of eating, including food from all of the food groups, and be mindful about portion sizes. Your body will initially use stored sources of glucose and then later in the fast it will break down body fat to use as the next source of energy.ĭuring the fasting period, your eating pattern may be very different compared to normal. Usually, your body enters into a fasting state eight or so hours after the last meal. The changes that occur in the body during fasting depend on the length of the continuous fast. ![]() What happens to your body during fasting? However, the Islamic month of Ramadan is one of the longest when it is compulsory for all healthy Muslims to fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset. In Christianity, Hinduism and Judaism there tend to be individual days of religious fasting. ![]() Who fasts?ĭepending on the religion, fasting will last for different lengths of time. And if you require urgent medical help you can use the NHS 111 online service. If you're worried about fasting with diabetes, check with your GP or diabetes team, particularly if you're not sure what to do with your diabetes treatment during fasting. If you can't get hold of them, it's best not to fast. You should discuss how to manage high blood sugars during fasting with your healthcare team. If someone is fasting and has high blood sugars, it is important to break the fast and drink some sugar-free fluids to reduce risk of dehydration and DKA. If your blood sugar levels become too high, this could lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which would require hospital treatment. If you treat your diabetes with certain medications such as insulin, there is a risk that blood sugar levels during or after fasting could become too low (a hypo). If you do have a hypo during fasting, it is important to break the fast and treat the hypo with your usual hypo treatment. The risks of fasting with diabetesĪs well as not eating food (and sometimes not drinking), fasting is also usually a time of prayer, reflection and purification. Other groups that usually don't have to fast include children, those who are unwell, the elderly and pregnant women. Speak to your healthcare team for advice if you aren't sure if you should fast and your spiritual leader for guidance. For example, you won't usually be expected take part in religious fasting if you treat your diabetes with insulin or have diabetes complications such as damage to your eyes, kidneys or nerves in your hands and feet. Exemptions to fastingĪnyone who is putting their health at serious risk by fasting is usually exempt (doesn't have to take part). ![]() We've got lots more information about fasting and how to do it safely. However, if you do choose to fast, then you must consult your doctor or healthcare team, to make sure that you are able to look after yourself properly. Ultimately, it is a personal choice whether or not to fast. Yes in some circumstances, but it depends on your health. We have specific advice on fasting and diabetes and fasting during Ramadan. The Islamic month of Ramadan is one of the longest periods of fasting. If you are unwell or have any symptoms of illness such as a cold, Covid-19 or flu, it's best not to fast. Fasting is an important spiritual aspect of many religions but it can lead to major health problems for some people with diabetes.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |