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The Segal Guide to Fasting For Yom Kippur
(from a Medical Perspective)
By: Michael M. Segal, MD, PhD
An earlier version of this article appeared in the Jewish Advocate <http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/>  (Boston, USA) in 1989. Copyright © 1989 - 2011 Michael M. Segal, MD, PhD.  This document may be reproduced freely on a non-profit basis, including electronically, during 2009 as long as the source at www.segal.org/kippur/ <http://www.segal.org/kippur/>  is indicated and this copyright notice is included.

Each year on Yom Kippur, Jews wish each other a khatima tova (a good seal in the Book of Life) and tolerable fast.  The route to a khatima tova is beyond the scope of this article; the route to an easy fast is simpler to describe.  The following are the essentials of human physiology that will help you have a tolerable fast on Yom Kippur:

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 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.  A large breakfast 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 being well hydrated.  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.

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.

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.

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.

Don't do a complete fast if you have certain medical problems:
People with medical conditions such as diabetes should consult their doctors and rabbis before fasting. Certain medications need to be taken during Yom Kippur, and it is important to swallow them with enough water to avoid pills getting stuck on the way to the stomach and damaging the esophagus.  Fasting by women who are pregnant or breast feeding can also be dangerous. If a young person who has not fasted much before has unusual difficulty fasting you should discuss this with your doctor since this happens in some serious metabolic problems <http://www.genereviews.org/query?dz=mcad> in which fasting can be very dangerous.

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.  If you take vitamin C, be sure that you are fully re-hydrated beforehand, because one of the vitamin's breakdown products can precipitate out in your urine if you are dehydrated, causing kidney stones, which are painful and dangerous.

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.

« Last edited by mevinyavin on March 21, 2024, 06:01:13 AM »

Author Topic: What do you eat before a fast?  (Read 74648 times)

Offline joe1234

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #360 on: December 22, 2015, 12:29:16 AM »
Its a 12 hour fast! Get over it. You'll live.
+1 and it goes by so FAST  ;)

Offline MeirS

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #361 on: December 22, 2015, 12:54:29 AM »
Just had a spoon of peanut butter.

Offline grodnoking

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #362 on: December 22, 2015, 02:09:27 AM »
+1 and it goes by so FAST  ;)
ROFL!!!


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Offline JoeyShmoe

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #363 on: December 22, 2015, 11:07:49 AM »
Its a 12 hour fast! Get over it. You'll live.
From the earliest Alos, till 72 is actually less than 12 hours (at least here in Lakewood, Alos: 5:48/R"T: 5:44) and most people A) aren't up from Alos, and B) don't wait till 72. :)
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Offline dealfinder85

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #364 on: December 22, 2015, 11:09:19 AM »
this can fit on this thread or on pet peeves
people who say this is an easy fast
there is a big difference between an easy fast and the easiest fast

Offline zevi

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #365 on: July 24, 2016, 01:26:44 AM »
Bump

Offline Josef.koney

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #366 on: July 24, 2016, 02:08:31 AM »
In yeshiva and can't find any...

Offline mgarfin

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #367 on: July 31, 2017, 12:07:52 AM »
Caffeine Suppository

My pharmacy clams these are illegal and not available anywhere anymore.

What was this made of?

Offline MeirS

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #368 on: July 31, 2017, 03:37:44 AM »
Rice, watermelon, honey and cream

Offline good sam

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #369 on: July 31, 2017, 07:53:30 AM »
Rice, watermelon, honey and cream
All together?
If you don't care why would you comment?
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Offline 12HRS

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #370 on: July 31, 2017, 08:01:59 AM »
Caffeine Suppository

My pharmacy clams these are illegal and not available anywhere anymore.

What was this made of?

Makes sense to ban them if people were eating them...

Offline Jellybelly

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #371 on: July 15, 2018, 01:22:24 AM »
I’m pretty addicted to caffeine ( 5-8 cups a day) I usually take those time release caffeine and Advil pills before the fast, and I manage ok. But I’m thinking to maybe try to get myself “ unaddicted”  does anyone have experience with this? Someone once told me he doesn’t drink coffee 3 days before a fast and he gets headaches for 3 days but on the fast he’s ok, does anyone have a headache free way? 🙄

Offline 12HRS

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #372 on: July 15, 2018, 07:47:15 AM »
I’m pretty addicted to caffeine ( 5-8 cups a day) I usually take those time release caffeine and Advil pills before the fast, and I manage ok. But I’m thinking to maybe try to get myself “ unaddicted”  does anyone have experience with this? Someone once told me he doesn’t drink coffee 3 days before a fast and he gets headaches for 3 days but on the fast he’s ok, does anyone have a headache free way? 🙄

Withdrawal can last up to two weeks for some people. I personally (2 large cups a day) go through 2 days of withdrawal and its brutal. Chills, nausea and major headaches. You will not be able to work towards the end of the first day doing this. If you are going to do it I would start today. It also gives you the advantage of resetting your caffeine needs going forward.

Offline E R K

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #373 on: July 15, 2018, 09:33:34 AM »
It might be a bit late now for next week but I would slowly cut back (2-3days only 4 cups , 2-3 days 3 cups etc)  instead of cold turkey so your withdrawal is not as severe.

Offline henche

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #374 on: October 03, 2019, 07:13:47 PM »
Anyone use the timed release caffeine? Where do you get them? What I see on Amazon looks like it releases after 8 hours, which is way too soon for Yom Kippur. 

Offline justaregularguy

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #375 on: October 03, 2019, 07:16:25 PM »
Anyone use the timed release caffeine? Where do you get them? What I see on Amazon looks like it releases after 8 hours, which is way too soon for Yom Kippur.
wow i have never heard of that before but it sounds cool.
anyway, to answer the thread title - I heard 2 cups of water an hour gets you hydrated for the day.
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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #376 on: October 03, 2019, 07:20:49 PM »
A big juicy steak.
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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #377 on: October 03, 2019, 07:40:42 PM »
wow i have never heard of that before but it sounds cool.
anyway, to answer the thread title - I heard 2 cups of water an hour gets you hydrated for the day.
So 50 cups?
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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #378 on: October 05, 2019, 11:11:02 PM »
Anyone use the timed release caffeine? Where do you get them? What I see on Amazon looks like it releases after 8 hours, which is way too soon for Yom Kippur.
Suppository on Yom Kippur?

Offline rs242

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Re: What do you eat before a fast?
« Reply #379 on: October 05, 2019, 11:42:41 PM »
Anyone use the timed release caffeine? Where do you get them? What I see on Amazon looks like it releases after 8 hours, which is way too soon for Yom Kippur.
The ones they sell In Lakewood/Brooklyn are made by a Kollel and they start releasing after 12 hours for 12 hours.