Fasting is a spiritual exercise believers undertake to get closer to their maker. Members of most religious bodies observe a fast during a time in the year. While some of the fasting times are observed as a denomination, others are observed on a family or personal levels. Undertaking a fast changes our eating habit, but because of its spiritual nature, fasting cannot be avoided by believers. That is why believers should follow the following tips to stay healthier while fasting.
- The most important time to ensure your diet is healthy is before you start your fast. This means that as a believer who is going to fast sometime, you should start by making your diet healthy today. Eating an unhealthy diet before a fast can be quite dangerous.
- Eat balanced food between fasting times. More of foods such as wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, fruits and vegetables, which contain complex carbohydrates or fibre, should be included in the diet. However foods such as sugar, white flour, cakes, biscuits, chocolates, and sweets, which contain refined carbohydrates or fats, should be avoided during a fast. This is because while the complex carbohydrates help release energy slowly and fibre-rich foods are digested slowly, fatty foods and foods containing refined carbohydrates quickly release energy (fast-burning).
- Drink plenty of water to help rehydrate your body.
- Caffeine is a diuretic and thus stimulates faster loss of water. Avoid caffeine-based drinks such as tea, coffee and cola.
- When on medication, suffering from an ailment or in any condition that compromise your health status, it is advisable not to fast. Pregnant women are also encouraged to talk to their doctor before attempting a fast.
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Written and reviewed by: Irene Danquah, ANutr
Last page review: 23/12/2021
Next page review: 31/12/2024