What Should I Eat First at Iftaar in Ramadan?

What Should I Eat First at Iftaar in Ramadan?

Question

Assalaamu ‘Alaykum,
I feel that my stomach gets bloated when I start eating and causes painful cramps when it is empty. What do you recommend eating at the time of Iftaar, i.e. the meal eaten to break the fast [in order to get rid of this problem] in Ramadan?
 
Answer
In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Ever Merciful
Dear brother,
Assalaamu ‘Alaykum,
First, we should know the cause of these symptoms, which may be either due to inflammation of the stomach, or because of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, you should undergo a gastrointestinal endoscopy in order to find out the cause of this problem and identify the appropriate treatment.
As for fasting, it is better to follow the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) and break the fast with dates and water. If the bloating and flatulence becomes severer, you can chew on a few mint leaves or mix them with any kind of juice, like lemon juice, for example. This is very good for easing stomach bloating after eating. Moreover, you should not eat food that is too salty, spicy or fatty. You should not lie down immediately after eating. If these tips are not sufficient to get rid of these symptoms, you can use certain medications that reduce bloating, but it is better to consult a doctor first to find out the reason behind this problem.
May Allah grant us success.

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