Ramadan 2025 in Newham

Fasting is an important part of Ramadan. It is key to only fast if it is safe to do so and if it is not a risk to your health.

It is important to talk to your healthcare team about fasting so they can assess any risk and agree a plan with you so you can fast safely.

If fasting is not recommended by healthcare professionals then the Islamic ruling states that you should not fast and should instead pay fidyah (make a donation).

The British Islamic Medical Association advises that if you become unwell you should stop fasting and seek medical advice.

It is important to continue taking your medication and get advice from a healthcare professional before making the decision to fast.

If you are on prescribed medication, it’s important to continue taking it. It is also worth checking in with your healthcare team to see if any changes to your medication or dosage are needed. Your pharmacist can also support you with any changes to your medication during Ramadan.

If you have diabetes and plan to fast, you need to take good care of yourself throughout Ramadan. You can do this by keeping in touch with your healthcare team, eating mindfully and monitoring your blood sugar.

According to Diabetes UK, If you are on insulin or medication for diabetes control, fasting can put you at higher risk of hypoglycaemia (low glucose levels).

If you do fast, it’s important to continue to monitor your blood sugar levels even while fasting. You should continue to have a varied, balanced diet and include more slow-release carbs. (See Health Eating section for more information). Checking your blood sugar does not break your fast.

Hypoglycaemia 

If your blood sugar levels does drop and you have symptoms, like feeling shaky, sweaty and disoriented / confused. You must break the fast immediately and treat it with your usual hypo treatment, like a sugary drink or glucose tablets.

Hyperglycaemia

If your blood sugar levels get too high, it could mean you get a serious condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Symptoms of high blood sugar levels include feeling very thirsty, passing a lot of urine or extreme tiredness. If your blood sugar levels stay high, contact your healthcare team immediately.

Diabetes UK helpline

If you have a question about your diabetes, call your GP or Diabetes UK's helpline for support, advice or just a chat. You can call 0345 123 2399, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

According to the British Heart Foundation, conditions such as heart failure, high blood pressure and arrhythmias can get worse if medication is not taken regularly. Your symptoms may also get worse.

If you have any of these symptoms, it could be a sign that you need to go back to your normal medication routine:

• Fluid building up in the ankles
• Breathlessness and fatigue
• Passing more urine than normal
• Dizziness or fainting spells
• Rapid heartbeat or pounding in the chest
• Chest pain or pressure

Ramadan is a great time to change bad eating habits:

• Try not to eat sugary, fatty and processed foods
• Stay hydrated before and after fasting by drinking plenty of water and not drinking tea, coffee and caffeinated drinks
• Try to not have sugary drinks - sugary fizzy drinks or fruit juices can raise your blood sugar and make you feel thirstier. Have sugar-free squash instead
• Have high fibre foods like oats, bulgur wheat, brown or wild rice, which keep you full for longer
• Be mindful of the portion sizes of the carbohydrates you eat to keep your blood sugar levels healthy
• Lentils, pulses and legumes are a great source of protein and are high in fibre - this will help you to go to the toilet regularly and keep your heart healthy
• Try not to eat fried foods and choose baked or grilled foods to break your fast
• Fried and oily foods are bad for your heart health, raising your blood cholesterol and blood pressure
• Try to eat foods from all 5 food groups!

Take a look at these Eat Well guides for more information:

• South Asian Eat Well guide
• African Caribbean Eat Well guide

Looking for free support to change the way you eat? Sign up to our free nutrition course run by Nutrition Kitchen.

According to Kidney Research UK, If you have have severe Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and fast, there is a risk that you could have problems with your balance of blood salts (electrolytes).

If you chose to fast, speak to your healthcare professional about any changes you need to make to your medication or dialysis treatment.

Even if you are not a kidney patient, you can take steps ahead of Ramadan to help protect your kidneys:

• If you have a family history of diabetes (the most common cause of kidney disease), make sure you have an annual check for diabetes
• High blood pressure is another common cause of kidney disease.
• Get your blood pressure tested - you can buy home kits or many pharmacies offer this service
• If you are being treated for high blood pressure, speak to your doctor before fasting and get your kidney function checked
• Some medication can affect hydration, which can become all the more serious during fasting

Smoking breaks your fast, so Ramadan is a great time to quit smoking.

Stopping smoking immediately benefits to your physical health. Long-term, stopping smoking means you are less likely to get many illnesses, like heart disease, diabetes, COPD, stroke and cancer.

Quitting can be stressful. However, new research shows that short-term, your mental health will get better 6 weeks after giving up smoking.

Newham’s stop smoking service is offering a range of support to Muslim smokers who may be thinking about using Ramadan to kick the habit for good.

If you want to make Ramadan your time to stop smoking, contact Quit Well Newham for free advice and support to quit. 

• Call 020 7882 8230 to speak to an adviser
• For text, calls and WhatsApp 07474 082330
• Email clinicbookings@qmul.ac.uk

Self refer for free support to stop smoking

The service is open Monday to Friday 8.30am until 5.30pm. 

• NHS Barts staying healthy during Ramadan guide
• Diabetes UK Diabetes and Ramadan
• NHS North East London - Make sure you plan ahead for a healthy Ramadan
• NHS Ramadan Health Guide
• Kidney Research UK - Keeping your kidneys healthy during fasting
• British Heart Foundation - how to have a healthy Ramadan with a heart condition