The joy of fasting

Heather Little-White, PhD, Contributor

A fast is better than a bad meal.

- Irish proverb

Lent is the time of year when people are more inclined to fast because of the religious commitment to forgo food or make some sacrifice by giving up something during the 40 days of Lent. On a regular basis, some persons will fast one day per week as a religious practice. Others fast to rid the body of toxins that may accumulate because of the abundance of food one may consume, especially those high in fat, sodium and sugars.

Fasting reduces the accumulation of metabolic waste and is the simplest and most natural way of healing the body from diseases which may result from waste. Fasting proponents make reference to the animal kingdom, and if you have a dog you will know that there are times when the dog refuses to eat because he is sick. Animals instinctively go into fasting (finding 'green bush') to help them heal. Fasting gives the body a break from processing the constant flow of processed and denatured foods eaten every day.

The liver

It is the liver that plays the major role in fasting as it chemically changes the toxins built up in the cells of the body and allows them to be excreted more easily. Toxins build up from the pollutants in the environment, chemicals like pesticides and toxic by-products which accumulate from eating too many nutrients and the wrong types of foods. During a fast, stored fat is broken down and metabolised.

How long should you fast? Interestingly, the body will not go into total deprivation as there is a reserved amount of fat, muscle and stored carbohydrates. The cells have the ability to live off the energy that they get from fatty tissue supplies.

Juice fast

Some people who fast may not be happy with total deprivation in a water fast. There is the option of a modified fast which prevents you from eating food but allows you to drink fruit or vegetable juices, or herbal tea. Juice fasting is the first step in fasting for those who cannot handle a water fast. If you are going to go without food for more than three days, especially for the first time, you should do so under your doctor's supervision. At the start of your fast, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, abdominal cramps and weakness.

If you are suffering from any of the following health conditions or if you are taking medication, you should definitely consult your doctor before a fast, even a short one:

• Insulin-dependent diabetes
• Epilepsy
• AIDS
• Liver or kidney disease
• Tuberculosis
• Cancers

Reintroducing foods

After the fast, you should gradually reintroduce foods into your diet. Start with fruit and vegetable juice or small portions of easily digested fruit and vegetable like watermelon and steamed zucchini. You do not want to move from fast to feast as eating too much food at once can lead to stomach cramps and ulcers. When you fast, the digestive juices decline so you have to reintroduce foods slowly to give them time to return to their original levels.

Zucchini and Potato Hash Browns

A variation to standard hash browns

1 lb potatoes

4 small succhini

1 onion

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Slice the potatoes, zucchini and onion into long, thin strips. Heat oil in a skillet and add the potatoes, zucchini and onions. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until vegetables are cooked. Toss with spatula and brown. Serve warm.

Serves 6

- Recipe: WebMD