Hawzah News Agency (Beirut, Lebanon) – Health Minister Jamil Jabak launched an awareness campaign Tuesday on safe fasting practices for diabetes sufferers ahead of Ramadan, which will begin at the end of the week. The campaign’s flyers, titled “Do you have diabetes? Consult your doctor before fasting!” suggest frequent monitoring of blood sugar, rescheduling the timing of medication, and keeping a healthy and varied diet during the Ramadan period.

It also recommends avoiding “the temptation to have a particularly large meal at iftar” and delaying “the suhoor meal as much as possible,” in addition to eating slow-release high-fiber foods such as whole-grain bread, beans and rice.

Diabetics should try to avoid sweetened and caffeinated beverages and foods high in saturated fats. “Avoiding sugary desserts is also a must,” the guidelines state.

These recommendations will be circulated in more detailed form through various media outlets including TV, radio and online portals, as well as community outreach programs in collaboration with municipalities across Lebanon, a statement from the Health Ministry said.

“As we approach the month of Ramadan, many [diabetes] sufferers hope to abide strictly by the fast,” said Jabak during the campaign’s launch.

“But they don’t consult their doctor for the necessary guidelines to follow during fasting. So instead they end up fasting as if they aren’t suffering from a disease,” he added.

Jabak warned that diabetes patients who fast without taking proper precaution are at risk of sharp fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can in some cases lead to a coma and other “serious health complications.”

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