I recognize that fasting is meant
to bring us to a higher spiritual plane and help us concentrate on what’s
important about the day. The
intensity of atoning for a year of sins should make anyone forget about their
hunger right? For some perhaps,
but I usually have a hard time thinking about anything else. It’s not even that I’m in immense pain
or suffering from extreme fatigue.
It’s more that I really want a slice of pizza.
This year I’ll try to approach it
from a science perspective. It
takes roughly 1 month for a person to die from starvation but a only 1 week to
die from dehydration. Water is the
key. How many pre-fast dinners has
your mother warned you to keep drinking water? You just stuffed your belly with chicken, roast veggies, rice, and
salad and she wants you to keep drinking? So you do and you go into the fast
strong and full. By the morning
though, you feel just as hungry as usual so where did you go wrong?
True, it’s crucial to hydrate
properly prior to a fast but overeating is a common mistake. You should eat to feel satisfied and
make sure to drink water the whole day before. Overeating requires use of stored water to aid in digestion
so you’re depleting your water stores before the fast even starts!
Additionally, carbohydrates help
store water so make sure your meal has a higher amount of starch than
protein. The protein will help
with the first 4 hours of the fast but the carbs will help keep you hydrated
into the next day. That’s why
endurance athletes “carb-load” before a marathon. They follow a low carb diet in the days leading up to the
event, 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 and
potato stew, fish with brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes, or chicken
vegetable stir fry served with brown rice. Watermelon makes a great dessert because of its water and
high sugar content. If you’re not
a water person, try a sports drink (Gatorade, PowerAde) or juice to help
provide fluid and extra carbs but avoid any caffeinated beverages. You should limit the added salt but the
meal doesn’t have to be bland: try fresh herbs, dried spices, or lemon juice
for flavor.
I wish you all a tolerable and meaningful fast and remember
to give thanks for all the good in your lives. For more on Yom Kippur, click here.
