7 Tips for an Easy Yom Kippur Fast

Thanks to Michael M. Segal, MD, PhD for these suggestions for an easier fast:

The following are the essentials of human physiology that will help you have a tolerable fast on Yom Kippur:

1. Don’t get thirsty: Most people think the difficulty about fasting is feeling “hungry”. However, avoiding thirst is much more important for how you feel. Not only do you avoid the discomfort of thirst but you are also well hydrated and swallow frequently, so your stomach does not feel as empty. One important way to remain well hydrated is to avoid drinks or foods that cause your body to get rid of water.

Such foods and drinks include alcohol, tea, caffeinated coffee and chocolate. Another important rule is to avoid consuming too much salt. Salt causes a person to feel thirsty despite having a “normal” amount of water, because extra water is needed for the extra salt. For this reason you should avoid processed foods containing lots of salt such as pickles, cold cuts, or cheese. Most tomato sauces, canned fish and smoked fish have a lot of added salt. Since Kosher meat has a high salt content it may be best to choose a main course such as fresh fish, canned no-salt tuna fish or a de-salted meat such as boiled chicken.

By avoiding these types of foods and drinks in the several hours before a fast, you can avoid either losing water or needing extra water. Other actions that cause the body to lose water, such as perspiring in warm clothing, should also be avoided during the fast. Don’t start the pre-fast meal on a full stomach: The pre-fast meal often begins at 5 PM, so a large lunch could prevent you from eating enough immediately before the fast. It is best to have a small lunch, or no lunch at all.

2. Eat a large breakfast A large breakfast eaten early in the day based on cereals, breads and fruits can provide the energy you need during the day, yet these high-fiber foods will be far downstream by the time of the pre-fast meal and will not keep you from eating enough food at the pre-fast meal.

A large breakfast is also helpful because it stretches the stomach. After eating breakfast, it is best to consume beverages during the day. This will not fill you up, since liquids are absorbed quickly, and this will ensure that you have absorbed enough fluids during the day to start the pre-fast meal well hydrated.

3.Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: Be sure to avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine. You should also drink at least a glass or two of fluids with the pre-fast meal because many foods need extra water to be digested properly.

4.Eat foods that are digested slowly: Include some foods high in oils and fats in the pre-fast meal, since such foods delay emptying of the stomach and effectively prolong your meal. However, beware of fatty meats or salted potato chips that could load you up with too much salt. Salads and other high fiber foods that are so important in one’s normal diet should be de-emphasized for the pre-fast meal since they travel quickly through the digestive system. Fruit, despite its high fiber content, is worthwhile since it carries a lot of water in a “time-release” form.

5.Don’t get a headache: Withdrawing from caffeine produces a headache in people who drink several cups of coffee a day. If you consume this much caffeine in coffee or other foods or drinks you should prepare yourself for the caffeine-free period by reducing or eliminating caffeine from your diet in the days or weeks before Yom Kippur. Don’t try to get through the fast by drinking coffee right before Kol Nidre, since this will cause you to lose a lot of water.

6.Make the meal tasty enough so people will eat: The pre-fast meal doesn’t have be bland. Spices such as lemon or herbs are fine for fasting, but salt and monosodium glutamate should be reduced as much as possible…

7.Don’t eat improperly after Neila: Even people who have prepared well for fasting will be hungry after Neila. Be sure not to eat food too quickly at the post-fast meal. Begin the break-fast meal with several glasses of milk or juice: these put sugar into the bloodstream and occupy space in the stomach, discouraging you from eating too rapidly. Also be careful about eating high salt foods such as lox, since you will still be a little dehydrated and will need to drink a lot of fluids to avoid waking up extremely thirsty in the early morning hours…These preparations for the fast of Yom Kippur will be different from your normal routine, but they can serve as a concrete reminder of the approaching Day of Atonement.
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An earlier version of this article appeared in the Jewish Advocate (Boston, USA) Copyright © Michael M. Segal, MD, PhD. This document may be reproduced freely on a non-profit basis, including electronically, as long as this copyright notice is included.

2 comments

  1. ג’ני יקירתי, האם יש לך 7 טיפים ל”כך תעבירי את הצום עם 7 ילדים”?
    היה לי צום קטסטרופלי! זוועה! ה’ ישמור!
    והכל “בזכות” שבעת הגמדים, שיהיו בריאים.
    כשיהיה לי כוח, אפרט.
    בשורות טובות, ונשיקות
    יקרת

  2. I would like to recommend to everyone the tablet “KALI TZOM” sold in Israel. They also have tablets for pregnant and nursing moms. I used to get extremely nauseous and faint before taking these, and, tfu tfu tfu, have been fasting pretty well ever since: with various amounts of kids running around, and in advanced pregnancy.

    Fast well everyone!

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