Nic St. Maurice

Co-founder of The Physical Training Company and celebrity fitness trainer

Is it possible to fast and stay fit?

It is possible to stay fit when you fast. Obviously, it’s a bit more complicated depending on which exercises you normally do. You can’t expect to keep training at the same intensity and same volume if you normally do two hours of weight training, for example, since it will be difficult to make up for all those calories in the shorter period of time that you have to eat.

What’s something people fasting should be wary of?

People have to keep in mind that even though they will feel weaker from not eating for a prolonged period of time, it’s the hydration that’s the most important. Making sure to drink enough water for the entire day during the night will make the biggest difference.

When fasting when is the best time for a work out?

Depending on your goals and on the fitness level that you’re at, it can be better to train before or after Iftar. In general, people who want to lose weight tend to train before Iftar, but people who want to focus a bit more on performance (to gain muscle or to train with more intensity) usually train one or two hours after breaking their fast.

What’s the one important food or fruit or vegetable one should be eating after they break their fast?

I’m a big fan of foods that are high in protein and healthy fats. Nuts like almonds will help regulate blood sugar levels so that you don’t get as hungry and high as when you have foods high in sugar like many fruits. This will then allow you to control yourself a bit more and make smarter food choices. I’ve just tried the new place in Jumeirah called The Roost and I think having chicken with different types of healthy hummous with salad and drinks is a great way to break your fast.

What healthy food spots would you recommend in Dubai for people to check out for a clean and light way to break their fast?