Expert Advice: Open Iftar with Soup and Salad

Dr. Esra Karakaş, an Internal Medicine and Endocrinology Specialist, emphasized the importance of Type 2 diabetes patients consulting their attending physician before fasting, and stressed the need to consume light foods at both iftar (breaking the fast) and suhoor (pre-dawn meal).

Dr. Esra Karakaş, an Internal Medicine and Endocrinology Specialist at Acıbadem Kayseri Hospital, provided information about the precautions that diabetes patients should take during the Ramadan month. Dr. Karakaş stated that patients with diabetes controlled with simple medications can fast after consulting their physicians. She said, “Diabetes patients are the most important patient group for us during Ramadan. Patients with diabetes whose condition is controlled with simple medications can fast after consulting their physicians. In fact, fasting has been shown to have some benefits for diabetic patients. However, this should be a decision made by the attending physician.”

“Open Iftar with Soup and Salad”

Dr. Esra Karakaş emphasized the importance of consuming light foods during iftar and suhoor, especially for diabetic patients, and advised against breaking the fast with heavy foods after a long period of fasting. She recommended opening the fast with light foods such as soup and salad. Dr. Karakaş suggested waiting for a while after consuming soup and salad before eating other foods to prevent rapid digestion. She also stated, “For patients approved by their physician for monitoring at home, frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels from the fingertip is recommended. If there are symptoms of low blood sugar, fasting should be terminated immediately. It is necessary to have sugary foods readily available for terminating the fast when symptoms of low blood sugar occur. Throughout the Ramadan month, attention should be paid to these points.”