Better Ramadan through suhoor only sawm

I am not Muslim, but I can appreciate the desire to become more in tune with one's creator.  The daily fasting or sawm of the holy month of Ramadan is a major way that Muslims use to become more in tune.  Sawm is one of the five pillars of Islam. 

The way sawm of Ramadan is usually done can be detrimental to the practitioner because it decreases night time sleep quality.  As a result, day time alertness is compromised. This can interfere with effective daily prayers (salat another of the five pillars).

If sawm is done by eating only a predawn meal then night time sleep quality will be improved.  Better sleep will result i n better day time alertness and better prayer.  Also, the food that is not eaten in the evening during iftar can be donated to the needy thus improving one's alms giving or zakat, yet another of the five pillars.  Iftar should be a water only fast breaking to avoid dehydration.  

To make one meal per day through the month of Ramadan more feasible, a low carbohydrate high fat ketogenic diet would do the trick.  So meat, nuts, greens, olives (olive oil), and high fat dairy would be the main menu items.  Go savory and salt to taste.  Avoid sweets.  Plain black coffee could be used to wash it all down. 

When hunger comes (usually by the afternoon) it will come and go.  When the hunger is present, contemplate the plight of the less fortunate.  If you are hungry at bed time, know that suhoor awaits at the end of sleep and be thankful.  You may not even be hungry when you wake up, but eat the predawn meal anyway so that you can be better able to sustain good works and good prayer throughout the holy month. 

Peace,
Paul