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f you have been following me for any length of time you have noticed that I tend to fast from time to time. My purposes for fasting are explained in an old post Five Fasting Thoughts. For today’s discussion, I want to dive into the semantics of exactly “How Do You Break a Fast?”
Ironically our word “breakfast” means “the conclusion of fasting since the previous day’s last meal.” However, not eating from the previous day’s dinner and not eating any food for say, 10 days takes on a little different meaning. I was in my 20s the very first time I did a week-long “water only fast.” When I ended that fast, I gorged myself on the largest chicken fried steak dinner I could find. Needless to say, I spent many hours in the bathroom and was sick for days thereafter. I don’t recommend this method, so let’s talk about better ways of transitioning out of a fast.
To better answer this question, I again turn to Richard Foster’s fabulous book, “Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.” (By far, an all time favorite of mine.)
Foster states: “An extended fast should be broken with fruit or vegetable juice, with small amounts taken at first. Remember that the stomach has shrunk considerably and the entire digestive system has gone into a kind of hibernation. By the second day you should be able to eat fruit and then milk or yogurt. Next you can eat fresh salads and cooked vegetables. Avoid all salad dressing, grease, and starch. Extreme care should be taken not to overeat. It is good during this time to consider future diet and eating habits to see if you need to be more disciplined and in control of your appetite.” Page 60.
Taking Foster’s advice, here’s what I successfully did. On the day, I began breaking fast, I had broth only soups for the three normal meals. The last meal that day, I added a glass of orange juice. The following day, I started the morning with a half grapefruit, followed by a lunch of carrots and light noodle soup. For dinner, I had a small salad and a banana. I saved proteins for the third day, starting with beans and nuts, then lean choices of meat later that week. This allowed by body to adjust slowly to the increased amount of healthy food choices I was making. Keep in mind; during this entire time, I was continuing to drink lots of liquids.
Breaking a fast must be done slowly and cautiously. In the words of Foster, “it is also a time to consider future diets and eating habits.”
How about you? What questions do you have about breaking a fast?
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