Breaking The Fast

I've shared with you my personal 7 day fasting experience. Next, I want to cover with you how I break my fast and why this important step is so crucial to making each fast successful. However trivial this may seem, I feel that this may be one of the most important topics I could touch on when discussing a fast. Here's why;

My body hasn't taken on food for seven days. It’s very important that I slowly re-introduce the correct foods back into my body again. By doing this, I'm allowing my body the necessary time to restart the flow of digestive juices and to properly stimulate the needed peristaltic action in the intestines after a lengthy fast. Once this is accomplished and normalcy to the bowels is restored, I feel confident that I finally completed what I set out to do...successfully finish my fast.

Ok, so what I am really saying here is, "Don't go out and stuff yourself with an extra large combo-style pizza or make unnecessary trips to the buffet line at your favorite restaurant". I guarantee that this will earn you one unpleasant trip to the bathroom where you will be paying homage to the almighty "porcelain god".

So here's how I spend the next 3 days coming off of my 7 day fast and slowly re-introduce food back into my body. This method has created the best results for me when fasting:

Around the early evening (about 5pm) of the 7th day, I will break my fast by eating about ½ of a medium sized orange. I will eat the other half about 2 hours later. I slowly savor each bite of the orange keeping it in my mouth for as long as I can slowly chewing each piece. I am feeling pretty satisfied by the time I go to bed.

On the morning of the 8th day, I start by eating ½ of a medium sized orange again followed by the 2nd half 2-21/2 hours later. (I keep reminding myself to keep chewing). By the time evening comes around, I have eaten a total of 2-3 oranges. For an evening meal, I will lightly steam some fresh organic vegetables (zucchini, squash, tomato...) and squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top of them. I serve myself small portions only. My stomach feels content at this point.

Next morning (9th day), I start off with ½ of an orange followed by the 2nd half 2-21/2 hours later. About 2-3 hours later, I will prepare myself a small salad of fresh chopped cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and celery. I spray the vegetables with a little bit of Braggs Amino Liquid and slowly chew several times before swallowing. This salad can be used for the evening meal 2-3 hours later.

***Don't expect a bowel movement right away. It may take the body a few days before normal bowel activity is restored.

On the 10th day, I may start off with one whole banana or apple followed by another small piece of fruit 2-3 hours later. For lunch, I will have a similar salad as I did the day before. This time I may choose to add some avocados or broccoli to the mix. The same goes for the evening meal. It really depends on how hungry I am. I am still very cautious at this point not to over-eat. I eat only enough to be comfortable…that's it!

By the next day, I am back to my normal routine of eating. I will discuss with you next week what foods are normal for me.  For now, just pay attention to what your intuition(read my article on intuition) is telling you. Feel what's right for you each moment. What may be right for one person, may not sit well for another. I've completed this type of fast multiple times. I realize that there are many ways in which a person can fast. I notice that my body feels best when completing this 7 day fasting program. I continue to find and try new things (The Ion-Cleanse) to help me with detoxing my body. I realize the importance here. I hope you have!

Next, I will cover some of the finer details of a fast and show you what life is like for me after a fast. 

Read previous articles in the Detox series:

Introduction to Detox

Benefits to Fasting

Preparing to Fast

The 7 Day Fast