Two years ago, Lokhandwala resident Dr Ayesha AR discovered her gluten sensitivity, so she cut out wheat from her diet. Ramzan made her miss eating parathas at sehri, a meal had during pre-dawn, often laced with food memories. She picked up a recipe from her mother’s Facebook account for a dry fruit shake (made in water, not milk) with soaked cashews, almonds, figs, walnuts, raisins and dates blended with banana, which proved to be an ideal replacement. “Shifting to just a glass of a shake took some mental conditioning, but the results convinced me,” she shares. Ayesha felt fuller for longer without the discomfort of greasy foods. This year, she has added protein powder to the drink, smoothing her mornings. “Anyone who works out knows the importance of protein,” she explains.

Nutritionist Sarah VazirAli explains that during fasting, the body uses stored fat for energy after eight to 12 hours without food, promoting fat loss and improved insulin sensitivity. Human Growth Hormone (HGH) levels rise, preserving muscle mass, while fasting also aids cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and supports gut health. However, slowed metabolism and dehydration can cause energy dips and cravings, making sehri and iftar choices vital.