Baby Tips Eating To Fast

I recognize that fasting is meantto bring us to a higher spiritual plane and help us concentrate on what’simportant about the day.  Theintensity of atoning for a year of sins should make anyone forget about theirhunger right?  For some perhaps,but I usually have a hard time thinking about anything else.  It’s not even that I’m in immense painor suffering from extreme fatigue. It’s more that I really want a slice of pizza.

This year I’ll try to approach itfrom a science perspective.  Ittakes roughly 1 month for a person to die from starvation but a only 1 week todie from dehydration.  Water is thekey.  How many pre-fast dinners hasyour mother warned you to keep drinking water?  You just stuffed your belly with chicken, roast veggies, rice, andsalad and she wants you to keep drinking? So you do and you go into the faststrong and full.  By the morningthough, you feel just as hungry as usual so where did you go wrong?

True, it’s crucial to hydrateproperly prior to a fast but overeating is a common mistake.  You should eat to feel satisfied andmake sure to drink water the whole day before.  Overeating requires use of stored water to aid in digestionso you’re depleting your water stores before the fast even starts! 

Additionally, carbohydrates helpstore water so make sure your meal has a higher amount of starch thanprotein.  The protein will helpwith the first 4 hours of the fast but the carbs will help keep you hydratedinto the next day.  That’s whyendurance athletes “carb-load” before a marathon.  They follow a low carb diet in the days leading up to theevent, than have a big pasta meal the night before.  Some even claim to be able to see their muscles expanding!

Some good meal ideas are beef andpotato stew, fish with brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes, or chickenvegetable stir fry served with brown rice.  Watermelon makes a great dessert because of its water andhigh sugar content.  If you’re nota water person, try a sports drink (Gatorade, PowerAde) or juice to helpprovide fluid and extra carbs but avoid any caffeinated beverages.  You should limit the added salt but themeal doesn’t have to be bland: try fresh herbs, dried spices, or lemon juicefor flavor.

 I wish you all a tolerable and meaningful fast and rememberto give thanks for all the good in your lives. For more on Yom Kippur, click here.