Healthy Ramadan Recipes

Ramadan is fast approaching and today I wanted to round up a few healthy Ramadan recipes to help you eliminate the stress of getting food on the table for the next 30 days. 

Now here is where prepping ahead for the month will save the day and help you shift the focus on what’s actually important i.e. connection to God, acts of charity, self reflection etc. 

After all, Ramadan is all about instilling discipline and patience so this is the best time as any to try to make better food choices no matter how tempting that daily samosa/pakora or other deep fried snack may look! 

With that said, let’s first have a look at what Ramadan is and what it does to our body. When I first started on my Hashimoto’s journey, fasting was one of the very first strategies I used to bring balance to my body. 

Why should we eat healthy in Ramadan?

From the lens of physical wellness, fasting in Ramadan is intermittent fasting at its finest. Research shows that when you fast from sunrise to sunset, Atophagy kicks in, a process by which the body cleanses out the bad and dysfunctional cells and regenerates healthy cells. So eating healthy is crucial so as not to negate the benefits of fasting. 

I have a Healthy Ramadan Guide detailing more benefits and tips so that you can have the most productive and healthiest Ramadan! You can download it for free! 

Sehri/Sahoor Ramadan recipes

Sehri is the most important meal so make sure not to skip it and instead focus on protein and fiber rich foods.

 

• Khagina This recipe comes together in a pinch if you have all your veggies prepared ahead of time. Protein rich and satiating to last you through the day.
• Barley Bread Perfect for a quick sehri that’s nutritious and filling. 
• Chocolate Zucchini Bread Refined sugar free and nutrient dense this is a great meal prep friendly sehri/sahoor idea as well as a sweet snack post iftar. 
• Chia Oat Cereal  Another meal prep friendly recipe. Make a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy throughout the week. 
• Homemade Granola You can eat this in a bowl of milk or top your yogurt, smoothie bowls etc. 

Iftar Recipes

Ramadan Iftar Dinner recipes

Most Pakistani homes eat a big snacky iftar rich in deep fried foods that are not the best choices. My family and I have switched to a regular dinner most days with some indulgences on the weekends. Below are some recipes that you’ll love!

• Quick and Easy Chicken Haleem A haleem hack you have to try! So easy yet authentic!
• Keema This spicy keema recipe is perfect for dinner and then use leftovers for a savory sehri paired with an egg and some cucumbers on the side.
• Chicken Karahi Super quick to throw together. 
• Tandoori Chicken Curry  Another hack on the classic tandoori chicken.
• Hara Masala Chicken Curry  My mother’s famous recipe that my family and friends love! 
• Khao Suey Make it with beef or chicken, this is a meal on it’s own!
• Hot and Sour Soup If you feel like having a soup, this Pakistani inspired Hot and Sour Soup fits the bill!

Ramadan Iftar Snack Recipes

• Chicken Quesadillas Boil some chicken and batch prep these quesadillas.
• Club Sandwiches Use some of that boiled chicken to make these Pakistani style club sandwiches.
• Chana Chaat So quick and easy and filling too!
• Seekh Kababs You can prep these ahead of time and then roll them up in tortillas to serve as kabab rolls.
• Chicken 65 Make it as a snack or pair it with Daal and rice to eat it as a meal.
• Tamarind/Imli Chutney Spicy and tangy without the refined sugar. Make a batch to last you through the month.

 Ramadan Dessert Recipes

• Chocolate Chip Granola Bites Perfect for a quick snack post iftar or even sehri.
• Cardamom Date Balls These date balls have fiber rich dates as well as healthy fats because of the nuts.
• Chia Kheer A South Asian twist on chia pudding. Protein rich chia is satiating so can be eaten as breakfast too! 
• Almond Halwa I love this adaptation of sooji ka halwa into a gluten free version. 
• Stuffed Dates Sweet and savory with a hint of spicy! 

 

Ramadan Drinks

• Watermelon Juice My answer to the sugary red drink that is signature to most South Asian iftars.
• Pineapple Lime Cooler A refreshing drink perfect for iftar.
• Mint Lassi Not diary free but refreshing all the same.
• Lemon Mint A refreshing variation to plain lemonade.

Here’s what my typical Ramadan meal prep looks like:

I hope you enjoyed this healthy Ramadan recipes round up. I’d love to see you make some of these recipes so be sure to let me know in comments if you do!