Muslims are encouraged to have suhoor, a pre-dawn meal to prepare the body before fasting from dawn to dusk.
The right suhoor menu helps maintain your energy and balance body composition. It also helps minimize muscle fatigue, dehydration, and other potential health problems during the day.
Even so, suhoor is a sunnah practice, making it not mandatory. So, can you fast without suhoor? What are the health risks you should anticipate for fasting without suhoor? Read this article to find out the answers.
Can You Fast Without Suhoor?
Suhoor is a recommended practice during fasting, but it's permissible to fast without suhoor.
According to the four madhhabs of Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hambali, fasting is valid even without suhoor. As long as you intend to fast and not do anything that would break your fast, then your fast is considered valid.
As mentioned, suhoor is a sunnah practice, which means you can still fast without suhoor.
Effects of Fasting Without Suhoor on Health
Although you can fast without suhoor, be mindful of several effects on your health, such as:
1. Higher Risk of Dehydration
Fasting without suhoor can increase the risk of dehydration, which occurs when your body does not have enough fluid. It may cause muscle weakness, lack of focus, and decreased blood pressure.
Drink at least two glasses of water at suhoor and eat hydrating foods such as chicken soup, vegetables, and fresh fruit. This way, your body can stay hydrated and energized during fasting.
2. Lack of Energy
Fasting refrains you from eating and drinking for several hours. If you don't eat at suhoor, your body will lack energy, making you feel weak and tired easily during the day.
To maintain stamina during fasting, you should consume complex carbohydrates at suhoor, such as potatoes, brown rice, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes.
High-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can also help because they are digested more slowly, making you feel full longer.
Additionally, manage your protein intake by eating side dishes that contain vegetable protein, like tofu and tempeh, and animal protein, such as fish and chicken breast.
3. Weakened Immune System
Without suhoor, your body doesn't get enough nutrients, leading to a weakened immune system. As a result, you may be prone to several health issues, such as sore throat, diarrhea, flu, and constipation.
Suhoor also helps prevent metabolic syndrome, a disorder related to blood sugar, obesity, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Therefore, eat nutritionally balanced meals containing carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals at suhoor to keep your body strong during fasting.
4. Higher Risk of Acid Reflux
Fasting without suhoor can increase the risk of acid reflux. Consuming healthy food at suhoor helps fill the stomach adequately, reducing the risk of acid reflux during the day.
It's advised to chew your food slowly and avoid sleeping after eating to maintain digestive health during fasting.
5. Disruption of Body Balance
Without suhoor, you cannot meet your energy needs, causing your body to weaken and become unsteady.
If left unchecked, this condition can lead to dizziness and vertigo. Hence, you should get adequate energy intake during suhoor.
6. Increased Risk of Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels, may occur because of insufficient energy intake.
Therefore, take your time to eat nutritious foods during suhoor so your body gets enough energy for fasting.
That's all about the effects of fasting without suhoor on health. Suhoor can help strengthen and energize you during fasting.
During suhoor, remember to drink water to maintain your body's hydration needs. Even though you fast, you should fulfill your fluid needs by drinking approximately eight glasses per day.
Therefore, always provide AQUA gallons of 19 liters at home. Each AQUA gallon is around Rp1,000 per liter.
Remember that not all water is AQUA. AQUA comes from selected mountain springs, protected through 9 selection criteria, 5 stages, and at least 1 year of research on more than 600 parameters.
AQUA is an Indonesian mineral water brand with 50 years of recognition. It bears the Halal certificate, BPOM distribution permit, and Indonesian National Standard (SNI), ensuring it is safe to consume.
So, don't hesitate to choose AQUA for your family because AQUA is 100% Pure, 100% Indonesian, and 100% Halal.
