Quick answer: Some people with well-controlled diabetes can fast safely with advice from their doctor, but not everyone should. See your doctor 1 to 2 months before Ramadan to assess your risk and adjust your medicines. Break your fast if your sugar drops below 70 mg/dL or rises above 300 mg/dL, or if you feel very unwell.
In this article
Ramadan is a special time, and many people with diabetes want to fast. Whether it is safe depends on the type of diabetes, how well it is controlled, which medicines you take and whether you have complications. Fasting carries risks, including low blood sugar, high blood sugar, dehydration and, in type 1 diabetes, a dangerous condition called ketoacidosis. Good planning reduces these risks.
Step 1: See your doctor before Ramadan
Book a review one to two months before Ramadan. Your doctor will check your HbA1c, kidney function, blood pressure and medicines, and will help you decide whether to fast. Learn what these tests mean in our diabetes guide.
Who is at higher risk and should not fast?
Doctors generally advise against fasting for people who:
- Have type 1 diabetes, especially if it is poorly controlled or they have had recent ketoacidosis
- Have had severe low blood sugar in the last 3 months, or do not recognise low sugar symptoms
- Have poorly controlled diabetes with very high sugars
- Have advanced kidney disease, heart disease or other serious illness
- Are pregnant with diabetes
- Are elderly and frail, or have dementia
- Are acutely unwell
Islam permits an exemption from fasting for people whose health would be harmed. If you cannot fast, you can still take part in Ramadan in other ways. Many scholars advise following your doctor's guidance on this.
Step 2: Plan your medicines
Doses and timing often need to change in Ramadan, especially for insulin and sulfonylurea tablets, which can cause low sugar when you fast. Do not change doses yourself. Ask your doctor for a written plan that tells you what to take at Suhoor and Iftar.
Step 3: Eat and drink sensibly
- Suhoor: eat as late as possible. Choose slow-release foods such as whole grains, eggs, yoghurt, lentils and vegetables.
- Iftar: break the fast with water and one or two dates, then pray and have a balanced meal. Avoid overeating.
- Limit fried foods, sweets, sugary drinks and large portions of white rice or bread.
- Drink plenty of water between Iftar and Suhoor.
- Keep activity light. Do Taraweeh and gentle walking, and avoid heavy exercise in the hours before Iftar.
Step 4: Check your sugar
Checking your blood sugar by finger-prick does not break the fast, according to most scholars. Check in the morning, around midday, in the late afternoon and at any time you feel unwell.
Break your fast if: your sugar is below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), or becomes 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L) or higher, or you feel symptoms of low sugar, dehydration or illness. Treat a low straight away with the steps in our low blood sugar guide. Breaking the fast for health reasons is permitted.
After Ramadan
Go back to your normal medicine schedule as advised by your doctor and book a review. Weight and sugar levels often change over the month.
Frequently asked questions
Can a diabetic person fast in Ramadan?
Some people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes can fast safely with medical guidance. People at high risk, such as those with type 1 diabetes, recent severe lows or serious complications, are usually advised not to fast. Your doctor can assess your risk.
Does checking blood sugar break the fast?
According to most scholars, a finger-prick blood sugar check does not break the fast. If you have concerns, ask a scholar you trust.
Should I take my diabetes tablets or insulin as usual in Ramadan?
Not necessarily. Doses and timing often need to change. Do not change them yourself. Get a written plan from your doctor before Ramadan starts.
What should I eat at Suhoor with diabetes?
Choose slow-release foods such as whole grains, eggs, yoghurt, lentils and vegetables, and drink water. Eat as close to dawn as you can.
Book a consultation with Dr. Junaid Iqbal
Evening clinic Monday to Saturday, 5:00–9:00 PM at City Clinic, Muzaffargarh.
WhatsApp Call +92 313 7667979This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always speak to a qualified doctor about your own health.