Greetings fellow readers,

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Fasting has become an urge part of human existence over the years. Fasting can be used for a variety of reasons, ranging from spirituality to personal discipline. I can usually go for hours without earning anything. Many people fast because they have no food to eat at the time.

Fasting is the willful abstinence from food for an extended period of time. There is nothing wrong with abstaining from food, and from a health standpoint, it is beneficial to do so.

Why do we have to stay without food? Because it helps our organs detox themselves. It gives them time to properly digest food. It helps to ensure we eat at the right time, to talk of few.

I must state that fasting should never be referred to as malnutrition. Fasting is not the same as malnutrition. Malnutrition is defined as an insufficient supply of nutrients in the body. People who fast without proper nutrition are often malnourished. Fasting in excess can result in malnutrition.

Let us take a closer look at fasting. Fasting is classified into two types:

1) Short fasting (normally 12-14 hours) : It is usually between your last meal and your next meal the next day, which is usually between 6pm and 8am and sometimes between 9pm and 10am, except in cases where that is not possible and should not be every time.

Remember that exceptions should not become the norm; otherwise, you risk becoming overweight because the digestion time of your last meal is critical.

2) Long fasting, which can last from 16 to 24 hours and up to 36 hours. It is consistent to go for days without eating. For example, fasting from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day for two weeks or one month. When we fast for an extended period of time, our pancreas gland and intestines produce fewer digestive enzymes.

This is one of the reasons why people who fast for long periods of time without eating properly end up with ulcers and digestive problems. Because of the body's excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid during fasting, those with ulcers experience pain during fasting.

Long fasting has a lot of side effects, which are caused by a decrease in the production of digestive enzymes and juices to digest and break down food, which can cause your food to sit in your stomach for a long time and digestion to take longer hours when we fast. Among the effects are;

1. Diarrhea

2. Passage of undigested food

3. Stomach pains

4. Bloating

5. Nausea and vomiting

My Fasting Suggestions

1. I recommend that we do more short fasting more frequently so that your body gets used to the process rather than fasting for 36 hours straight in a week and another 36 hours the following week. You will cause organ damage.

2. Begin fasting gradually and on a regular basis, such as twice a week. Eat your last meal by 7 p.m. and your next meal by 12 p.m. the following day.

3. If you're fasting to lose weight, don't go too long.

4. Break your fast properly.

Possible Methods for Breaking a Fast.

a) First, drink at least a glass of water. One of the causes of constipation, bloating, and hard stools after fasting is eating before drinking water. What we don't realize is that our stomach requires hydration before ingesting food that our organ isn't even prepared for.

b) You can also drink Lipton tea, green tea, coconut water, lemon water without milk, or ginger and honey tea. When breaking a fast, liquids must come first, followed by solids.

c) But not in any case liquid. It is not advisable to consume acidic soft drinks such as coke or soda. Anything acidic will cause stomach lining damage, which can lead to ulcers, constipation, and other stomach problems.

d) Avoid eating or drinking acidic foods or fruits. Eating unripe orange, lemons, or limes is extremely dangerous. Consume mild water-soluble fruits such as cucumber, watermelon, cabbage, carrots, and apple.

e) Avoid rushing through meals when breaking a fast. Indigestion, bloating , and constipation may result from it.
. Eat properly, slowly and in small portions. Don't consume everything at once.

d) Never break your fast with junk food. Consume nutritious foods. Eat no meat pie, egg rolls, or spirits because they contain CO2 and are too sugary for your system.

What should we eat now?

Eggs

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Vegetables

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Fruits

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They gradually introduce low carbohydrate foods such as rice, yam, and unripe plantain.

High-fiber foods, such as fish and vegetables, should be consumed in moderation.