Is it true that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, encouraged eating an odd number of dates when breaking the fast, and how many dates would that be? And what were the foods and drinks that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, regularly consumed for Suhoor and Iftar in Ramadan?

It is recommended for the fasting person to break their fast with fresh dates (rutab); if not available, then with dried dates (tamr); and if not available, then with water. This is established from the actions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that this is a subtle arrangement, as sweetness is the quickest to reach the liver and the most beloved to it. As for a fasting person breaking their fast with an odd number (witr) of dates, this has not been authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, except on Eid al-Fitr, even though some scholars recommend odd numbers in all matters, following his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "Indeed, Allah is Witr (Odd) and loves witr." The Prophet's general guidance regarding food was moderation, without extravagance, and he did not have a specific routine for a particular type of food; rather, he ate what was available and kept himself upright. He never criticized any food. Similarly, his pre-dawn meal (suhoor) consisted of a few morsels to sustain him, and he specifically praised dates as "the excellent suhoor of the believer."