Not Just About the Menu: Elderly People Fasting Should Schedule Their Meal Times

Fasting can still be undertaken by elderly people as long as their nutritional and fluid needs are adequately met. Dr Ida Gunawan, MS, Sp.G.K, Subsp.K.M., FINEM, a clinical nutrition specialist at RS Pondok Indah, says older adults still need to pay attention to a regular eating pattern so that their condition remains stable during Ramadan. ‘To meet the nutritional needs of the elderly during fasting, one must pay attention to calories, the types of foods, and meal timings,’ Dr Ida said when contacted by Kompas.com on Tuesday (24/2/2026). According to her, regulating eating patterns is important because older adults often experience physical limitations that can affect appetite and nutrient intake. About 10 percent of caloric needs can be consumed at iftar in the form of snacks. After Maghrib prayers, around 40 percent of calories can be fulfilled through main meals with a balanced nutritional composition. Then around 10 percent of calories can be consumed again after Tarawih prayers as snacks. The remaining 40 percent of calories are fulfilled during sahur as the main meal before starting the fast. This distribution of meal timings helps older adults gain energy gradually without burdening the body in a single meal. Ida also reminded that older adults should not consume foods that are too sweet at iftar. Meals with a balanced nutritional composition help keep body energy stable throughout the day.