Summer Fasting and Cleansing Tips

Fasting has been used as a means of healing and restoring the body since ancient times, and is actually practiced in many religions as a way to cleanse the body and soul. During warmer months, people whose fast requires abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset need to take special care that their nutrition and hydration needs are being met. With the proper foods, the digestive system can relax, energy levels can increase, weight can be shed in a healthy way and some chronic illnesses can be reduced.


The most important guideline is that you consume enough of the right kinds of food and drink before and after your fast so that your blood sugar levels don’t drop during the long hours of fasting. Drink plenty of water It’s easy to get dehydrated during hot weather. This is why it’s important to drink the right amount of water at the right time. While breaking your fast try drinking water that has been sweetened with honey or agave syrup, or make lemonade by adding fresh squeezed lemon juice. After drinking this wait 15-20 minutes before eating. Water dilutes digestive enzymes and stomach acids making it harder to digest food. If your reason for fasting is to cleanse, drinking water is the best way for you to do so. Avoid excessive salt If you love salty food, try adding spices instead of salt. However, because salt and spices can make you thirsty avoid using them before you start fasting. Eat slowly When breaking a fast our natural tendency is to gobble down our first meal. However if you eat quickly you will not only eat too much but also have problems digesting your food. If you eat slowly you will eat less because you will sense when you’re full, and as a result ease the load on your digestive system. Chew well An important part of good digestion is chewing well. The more you chew your food the easier it is to digest. Especially after not eating for a long time, chewing well will help you avoid digestion problems such as gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Choose healthy foods to break your fast The best foods are soup, salad, vegetarian dishes, legumes and whole grains. To help your body cleanse while fasting avoid meat and fish. If you do eat them, opt for small servings of baked, grilled or steamed lamb or fish. Don’t skip the meal before the fast If you are fasting throughout the day, eating properly before your fast will keep your blood sugar levels from dropping. For this meal choose foods that will stay in your stomach for a long time, aren’t heavy and will give you energy. The best choices are legumes, muesli (prepare with almond milk or fruit juice and add your choice of walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds), olives, salad greens/leafy greens, goat cheese, nut or seed butter, organic eggs, whole grains and vegetable juice. Avoid saturated fats Deli meats, sausages, cheese and some baked goods contain saturated fats which are very destructive for the body. Processed foods contain chemicals which add toxins to your system. Sweets If you crave something sweet when you’ve broken your fast, you can help your body cleanse and shed extra weight by choosing nourishing organic seasonal fruits over sweets with empty calories. Summer fruits are perfect for fasting and cleansing. They’re not only tasty, but full of water and rich in healing nutrients. Avoid caffeinated drinks Tea, coffee and caffeinated sodas are diuretics. By removing water from the body, they cause dehydration and flush out important minerals. The best drinks are water, herbal tea and vegetable juice. Get moving Not eating throughout the day slows down your metabolism. Keep your metabolism going while fasting by moving more. Using the stairs instead of the elevator, stretching or doing yoga, and parking your car a couple blocks away from your destination so you can walk more will help keep your metabolism up without wearing you out. If you follow these suggestions during your fasting period, you will cleanse and lose weight. Remember, fasting is healthy! Emine Sahin, The LifeCo Dietician