Food After Water Fasting
Water fasting is about re-calibrating all the body systems. After fasting the taste buds are re-tuned and hyper sensitive and the sense of smell is acute. The digestive system is inactive and the elimination systems as well. Metabolism is slowed .
Photo courtesy of Food Network
The first food I put in my mouth after a 10 day water fast was watermelon and celery juice. It was so incredibly sweet I was stunned. Sipping the juice over an hour is suggested to allow the body to wake up. Being sure to “chew” juices is part of mixing the important digestive enzymes in the juice to start the process.
The return to eating is a very important process. Digestion has been resting and inactive during a water fast. The stomach shrinks to a smaller volume and your digestive enzymes are not active, so when re-introducing nutrients to a sleeping digestive system there is a process that makes the transition smooth and reduce the possibility of cramping or discomfort. Emphasis on chewing and taking it slowly is part of the first steps. At True North Health Center the process lasts for one half of the total length of the water fast. So if the water fast is 10 days, the time needed to reintroduce food is 5 days.
It goes like this:
Day 1 – Juices such as watermelon and celery or spinach and apple. Four glasses.
Day 2 – Raw vegetables and fruit.
Day 3 – Raw and cooked vegetables and fruit.
Day 4 – Fruit, raw and cooked vegetables and now grains (rice, quinoa, oats).
Day 5 – Add legumes, beans, nuts and seeds.
Believe me, it is very wise to follow a process to avoid feeling stuffed or shocking your re-awakening digestion and have cramps or gas.
The food tasted amazing. Fruit is super-sweet. You can taste the different flavors in vegetables that perhaps before the fast tasted bland to you.
This re-calibration helps reduce the need for over salting food and using oils for flavor. It gives the gift of enjoying whole, natural plant based foods that are the critical nutritional elements to a truly healthy diet. Vegetables and fruits are naturally low in fat making it easier to have foods you can eat as much as you want to. Never again feel deprived or underfed.
Next post will cover re-starting metabolism after water fasting.
Ciao for now
For more on healthy nutrition and lifestyle contact Dorothy through her website www.SynergyWellnessNW.com
Disclaimer: Water fasting should be undertaken only under the guidance of a health professional.
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