How to Break a Fast
Congratulations, you have come to the end of your fast! Hopefully, this time, you were able to reflect, align, and detox physically and spiritually. Now it's time to break your fast and "ease" back into a typical healthy diet. We strongly believe that what you do after a fast is just as important as what you do during a fast.
Here are simple, useful tips to help you break a fast most effectively without shocking the body.
*Please note the level of caution you need to implement depends on the length/depth of your fast. Shorter fasts that included food require less caution, but you should use restraint from bouncing back to a regular diet. Longer fasts consisting of juice or water require extreme caution to avoid serious consequences.
How to Break Types of Fasts Effectively
1. Breaking a Water Fast:
Break a water fast with fresh juice in small amounts, approximately 4oz every 1-2 hours the 1st day and 8oz every 1-2 hours on days two and three. Raw fruit and vegetable juices are recommended for breaking a water fast. These include oranges, watermelons, grapes, or pineapples. Cucumbers, celery, and other green juices are good as well. You may also drink a combination of fruits and vegetable juices. Try to spend a minimum of 3-5 days on only juices before eating solid foods.
Note: We do not recommend breaking a water fast with apple juice, because it can cause severe pain and cramping.
2. Breaking a Juice Fast:
Juice fasts should end with raw fruits and vegetables, blended warm soups, steamed vegetables, or small amounts of broth. Make sure your portions are blended well and easy to digest for at least a week or more. Eat a small portion every couple of hours as not to become overwhelmed by hunger. As a general rule of thumb, consume fruits alongside vegetables and greens (raw or cooked) for at least two weeks following a juice fast. Avoid grains, fats, starches, and proteins. You must add these foods back into your diet slowly.
The Danger Period:
The two weeks following a fast is called the "danger period." On a physical level, voracious eating after a fast is not only dangerous but can undo much of the benefits of the fast. We suggest that you take the same amount of time to return to a regular diet of foods as you chose to fast. For reference, we recommend following a biblical diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and clean meats as advised in Leviticus 11 for long term health.
We believe a fasting lifestyle can separate us from the temptations of this world and is crucial for what is coming in the next move of the Lord. God is looking for empty vessels and fasting is a great way to empty yourself before the Lord.
Get more tips and resources in our free Complete Fasting Series.