Meal Ideas After Fasting

Fasting diets can be intimidating or exciting, depending on how much you love to eat. In general, these diets consist of not eating for a specified period of time and can range between one to 21 days, possibly more. These restrictive diets typically allow only liquids including fruit and vegetable juices, water and herbal teas. Other fasts allow raw fruits and vegetables only. Always speak with your doctor prior to initiating a fast and while on it. Post-fast, it is best to stick with light, simple meals initially and gradually reintroduce foods such as brown rice and goat's milk yogurt, if tolerated, as you transition into more varied meals.

Fruit Salad Bowls

Break your fast with simple meals such as fruit salad bowls. Fruits have little to no fat, which makes them easier to digest; in contrast, foods that are high in fat will take longer to digest, leading to potential stomachaches, bloating and diarrhea. Fruits are also high in carbohydrates, which is a source of energy for the body and brain. Try chopped berries such as blueberries and raspberries, which are low in sugar and rich in antioxidants. Chopped pineapple and papaya contain enzymes that help break down foods in the stomach for improved digestion.

Raw or Steamed Vegetables

Green, veggie-based salads are generally low in fat and calories, making them easier to digest than high-fat or protein foods. After fasting, your stomach will be empty, and you won't risk stomachaches when you choose lighter foods. Enjoy vegetables in their raw form such as chopped celery, cucumber, bell peppers and leafy greens all tossed together as a salad. Lightly steamed veggies or veggies cooked in a pressure cooker are also a good post-fast meal option.

Sip Some Soups

Prepare vegetable soups for easy, healthy meals after your fast. Author Joel Fuhrman, M.D, a board-certified family physician, states on his website that foods are cooked at a set temperature of approximately 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius, the temperature of boiling water, when made into a soup. This prevents browning of foods and the formation of toxic compounds. Prepare a light soup with one or two vegetables or make soups heartier with the addition of sprouts, sweet potato, cauliflower and carrots.

What to Avoid

After a fast, avoid meals that are high in fat and protein because these macronutrients will slow down digestion, potentially leading to stomach upsets such as constipation, diarrhea or discomfort. Avoid foods high in added sugars, which disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut, leading to digestive upsets and difficulty breaking down proteins, lactose and other food substances.