Ramadan is the most-awaited time of the year for Muslims around the world. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and holds important religious significance in Islam. Because of its importance, it is regarded as one of the most blessed times of the year.
Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, brings you the ultimate Ramadan Shopping for Ramadan, where you can find all the important things you need to bring to your house to keep up with the fasting regime.
Significance of Ramadan
This month, Muslims across the globe keep fasts every day from dawn to dusk. The purpose of Ramadan is to purify the soul and awaken the individual’s relationship with Allah (SWT).
This spiritual energy entails repentance, which means seeking forgiveness from Allah Almighty and ultimately transforming us to be better human beings.
Fasting during Ramadan not only helps in practicing patience in terms of eating but also encourages us to perform good deeds and share the sufferings of those who are less fortunate.
Ramadan brings with it lessons of generosity, humility, spiritual cleansing, and religious devotion. After regular fasting for the entire month, it is finally capped by the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, a three-day festival marking the end of the month.
Ramadan Shopping List 2022, Things to Buy, Tips & More
With Ramadan at its full pace, the never-ending shopping list has also been making its pace as well.
Keeping a fast every day might be a test of patience, but having delicious food items at Iftar and Suhoor is a must, thus increasing the need for shopping every now and then.
In the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and individuals being at home with their families and children, people have experienced a significant shift in our shopping habits. As a result, there has been a rise in online grocery shopping in contrast to previous years.
This is especially an excellent way to save time and resources, alongside getting groceries at your home. Considering that, here are some must-have things to add to your Ramadan shopping list.
But before moving ahead, check out our Ramzan calendar 2022 to know when Sehr and Iftar will be held in your locality.
Dates
Certainly, one of the most essential things on the Ramadan shopping lists is dates. Dates hold religious importance due to them being sunnah for opening fasts.
Alongside helping in breaking the fast as per Sunnah, dates help in coping with tiredness and fatigue that people often experience after fasting in Ramadan.
Since dates are rich in fiber, they aid digestion and keep blood sugar levels from rising too high after iftar.
These have multiple nutrients and are high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. For people with blood sugar problems and those having a sweet tooth, it also satisfies your sweet cravings.
However, if you are not a fan of eating them on their own, then you can check out multiple recipes to make with dates, or explore bakeries that have a range of assorted dates filled with different types of nuts, fruits, and even chocolates. You can even add them to your favorite smoothie or shake.
Cooking Oil/Ghee
Pakistanis can’t get enough of fried food; whether it’s pakoras or potato samosas, our iftars seem incomplete without them. But such food items might not be the healthiest choice when it comes to eating food at Iftar.
In case you are a big fan of such foods, you can easily make them healthier by swapping your regular cooking oil with low-fat oils in your Ramadan shopping list.
You can also give organic oils a try, as they are an excellent resource of vitamins. You can choose from the organic oil range of corn, olive, coconut, or any vegetable oil are suitable substitutes.
They may be a bit pricier, but they will help maintain your cholesterol levels.
Fruits And Vegetables
Fruits and Vegetables are an important element of Ramadan shopping lists for everyone. Since there is a break for our digestive systems because of fasting, consuming healthy and balanced meals in Ramzan is a great way to maintain your health.
Every season has its own range of fruits which you can incorporate into your diet. Summertime provides a wider choice of fruits and vegetables to make a delicious bowl of mixed fruits.
Fresh fruit and vegetable salads are a great option to add to your Ramzan menu along with mouthwatering smoothies. A glass of fresh carrot juice or banana shake can give just the boost of energy that you need.
However, try to add fresh fruits and veggies to your pantry instead of stocking them up.
Dairy
With summer comes a variety of refreshing drinks, especially a common Pakistani favorite, “Lassi”. Lassi is a blend of milk and yogurt that is typically mixed with sugar or salt. It helps keep the body cool and hydrated throughout the day.
Flavoured or plain, it’s your choice how you would like to have yogurt, for example in chaat, salads or smoothies. Whether it’s summer or winter, it’s the one thing that never goes out of season.
Himalayan/Sea Salt
Salt is essential for the preparation of any meal. Using a lot of salt can lead to an increase in blood pressure, and ultimately also affect the kidneys.
A healthy alternative is to replace your regular salt with Himalayan salt. Himalayan salt has a relatively lower amount of sodium which helps the body from dehydration.
Himalayan salt is rich in minerals. It helps in maintaining a healthy balance of electrolytes in your body. Because of its useful properties, it is a great item to add to your Ramadan shopping list.
Berries and Nuts
Nuts and berries are among the healthiest additions to your meals that you can incorporate into your Ramzan shopping list. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries all are packed with antioxidants and are a very rich source of vitamins and minerals.
Due to their antioxidant properties, they can decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol levels from oxidizing, which will keep your heart healthy and may also reduce the risk of heart disease.
Nuts on the other hand are also highly beneficial in countering various inflammations through their immune-boosting properties. They are rich in fatty acids and are a great food option to utilize in case you are planning to shed some pounds.
You can easily reap their benefits by munching on a few of them as your pre-suhoor snack or even satisfying your post-iftaar cravings by including them in yogurt, salads, and even smoothies.
Because of their beneficial properties, berries and nuts are a great addition to include in your Ramadan shopping list.
Meat
Meat is a primary element of foods in Pakistani cuisine and is a popular item in almost every dish in Ramadan. The most popular meats in the country are chicken, mutton, and beef which make up the most famous dishes in the country.
Adding meat to your Ramadan shopping list is crucial since it makes up for so many dishes in Suhoor and Iftar.
Meat is packed with essential proteins and fats, it’s a great food for those who are looking to build up their ever-delayed fitness regime.
However, in case you are a patient with Type 2 Diabetes, it is important to limit your consumption of red and processed meat.
Fish is also a great option if you are looking to freshen up your iftar menu this Ramzan. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids that will keep your mind and heart-healthy.
Flour
Whether it’s for parathas without which our suhoor would be incomplete, or pakoras that are a must-have item in iftar, flour is one staple that is essential to stock up on.
Although a wide range of flour options including corn, oats, and buckwheat are available in the market. wheat flour and gram flour are the most commonly used flours.
Whole wheat flour supports clean blood circulation and helps in the removal of damaging microbes, making it an ultimate detox meal. In addition to this, the abundance of fiber helps metabolizes the body and keeps the colon and intestines healthy.
Pakoras are savory deep-fried treats made from Chickpea (Gram flour). The popularity of Pakoras does not only stem from their special flavor, but also due to their affordability and variations.
Gram flour is high in protein compared to other flours and is beneficial for muscle building as well as aiding in healing from physical illness. The best aspect of including Gram flour in your Ramadan shopping list is to build your muscles.
With its muscle-building properties, it allows for maintaining lean muscle mass, which is particularly essential if you’re trying to lose weight.
Juices
Juices are a must-have for everyone on their Ramadan shopping lists. Flavored or fresh, they can be found in every kitchen during Ramadan. Especially in Pakistan, rose and ice cream syrups for juices (namely Jam-e-Shirin and Quice) are loved by many.
As we are observing Ramadan during the summer season this year, drinking lots of water can keep you hydrated and fresh throughout the day.
But, for those who usually struggle to balance out their hydration levels, these beverages are a great alternative. They are not only refreshing but also help maintain the right levels of glucose in your body.
Some Useful Tips for Ramadan:
Now, since the important elements of the Ramadan Shopping list are complete, let’s take a look at some helpful tips that you can incorporate into your Ramadan routines:
- Make an inventory of what you currently have in your pantry before you go shopping for Ramadan to avoid buying more than you need.
- As most marketplaces are likely to be packed during Ramadan, plan to go shopping with no more than one person to prevent any inconvenience.
- Check and balance your water levels to avoid dehydration. Excessive will bloat your stomach, while too little will leave you restless.
- Don’t forget to cover yourself properly before heading outside.
Even though Covid-19 is currently under control, there is still a danger of contracting it. So, anytime you go shopping, keep a safe distance and wear a mask.
- Make sure to stock up on your grocery for the entire month of Ramadan.
- During Ramadan, aim to limit your intake of fatty and fried foods. Also, if you’re eating outside, be sure the eatery meets all hygienic requirements.
- Buy fresh fruits and veggies whenever possible, or use the online platforms to order your groceries.
- Remember to deep freeze your meat after purchasing it to keep it fresh and prevent it from spoiling.
- Stocking up on fresh watermelon is one of our best tips during Ramadan. It’s excellent at keeping you full and restoring your hydration levels.
- Minimize your intake of caffeine and carbonated drinks because they induce thirst and cause insomnia.
Although it goes without saying, sharing and taking care of others is the essence of Ramadan. Therefore, throughout this holy month, one should always look out for the needy and offer any possible help you can.
Ensuring everyone in your immediate vicinity is nourished and looked after is a great habit that will earn you blessings in this holy month.
This complete list of Ramadan shopping items is excellent for your food for Sehar and Iftar. Don’t forget to pick foods that will keep you energized and refreshed during this whole month.
If you’re looking for more information on the Ramadan celebrations, calendar and bazaars, follow Graana blogs.
