Fasting and diabetes
Fasting facts
Fasting is when a person doesn’t eat or drink over a period of time during special religious occasions.
Fasting is an important part of many religions, such as Islam, Hinduism and Judaism.
In Hinduism and Judaism, there tends to be individual days of fasting. However, the Islamic month of Ramadan is one of the longest periods of fasting. Muslims fast during daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset.
Muslim children do not need to fast until they reach teenage years, and Muslims with diabetes may not have to fast at all as it can stop you from taking care of yourself at this time. But some teenagers really want to fast, particularly if family and friends are fasting too.
If you are Muslim and feel strongly that you want to fast during Ramadan, speak to your doctor or nurse first. Your doctor will tell you about the ways you can fast and break fast safely and any changes to your insulin injections that may be necessary.
