How to Break a 40 Day Fast

Fasting is done for a variety of reasons, including religion, detoxification and weight loss. Fasters oftentimes experience rebound weight gain or re-feeding syndrome when they start eating again, especially if partaking in a fast over 28 days in length. Re-feeding syndrome is characterized by metabolic changes resulting from the introduction of too many carbohydrates after an extended period of fasting. Re-feeding syndrome can lead to severe illness and death in some cases. Breaking a fast properly will prevent these types of problems from occurring.

Instructions

• 1

  Start a clear, liquid diet for the first 24 hours. Eat broth and gelatin, and drink sports drinks and small amounts of juice. Take three to five sips at a time every hour or two. Stop and take a break if you feel full or nauseous. This will help replenish some of your nutrients without overloading your body with carbohydrates.

• 2

  Eat 15 calories per kg of bodyweight for the next three days. For example, a 70 kg man would eat 1,050 calories (15 times 70). Eat small, frequent meals to get your digestive system used to working again. Eat easily digestible foods, such as bananas, toast, applesauce and rice, on days two and three. Begin eating bland solids, like plain potatoes and lean meats, on day four.

• 3

  Increase calorie intake to 20 calories per kg of bodyweight for the next three days. A 70 kg man would increase his intake from 1,050 calories to 1,400 calories (20 times 70). Eat whatever foods you like, limiting the amount of fiber to 10 grams a day. Eat at least six times a day, spacing your calories out evenly for each meal.

• 4

  Start eating as much as you normally would. Slowly increase fiber by 2 to 3 grams a day to prevent bloating and stomach upset. If you fasted for weight loss, eat 15 to 20 percent under your daily caloric requirement to promote continued weight loss.