This year, Tisha B’Av is on Sunday. Most of us typically have large, heavy lunches on Shabbos and then very small, lighter dinners. This week, I would suggest a switch.
Stick with a nice hearty lunch, but hold back a little, be careful with the salt and leave enough space to eat a filling dinner.
Be sure to watch the wine and alcohol too, they are dehydrating and not the best idea before a fast.
Here are my five rules for having an easier fast. These are not just tips, but actual mandates. If you follow along, you will have an easier fast.
1. Water, Water, Pants on Fire
Drinking lots of water is important before any fast, but before Tisha B’av, it is a must. In most parts of the world, Tisha B’av falls on one of the hottest days of Summer, and we are not as likely to be in an air-conditioned synagogue all day like on Yom Kippur. So drink up throughout the day before the fast; don’t save it for the end when you need some space for food too.
2. Get Your Protein
Most people do actually get more than enough protein in their diet to sustain them, without even trying. Still, the day before a fast, it is important that every meal has a good amount of lean protein such as chicken, turkey, eggs, and fish.
3. Carbs Are Good For You
Sometimes I think I am the only person left eating carbs, but truth be told, most Dietitians eat carbs; we just focus on the good ones, which usually means the brown ones. To really keep you sustained through the fast you need to have carbs in your pre fast meal, ideally choose grains that are high in fiber to keep you fuller longer. I love barley, but you can also go with a mix of grains if you prefer.
4. Eat Healthy Fats
The day before the fast is a great time to get your nuts, use your olive oil, and eat your avocados. Good, healthy fats will really help keep you going during the fast. Just stay away from anything too salty and stick to unsalted nuts and seeds.
5. Avoid Added Sugar
The worst thing you can do before a fast is eat anything that is around; donuts, candy, cakes, and cookies will not help you. Just because you won’t be eating for a day is not an excuse or reason to eat all the junk you usually try to avoid. If you want something sweet, stick with fresh fruit, bananas and dates are particularly good before and after a fast.
For year round advice, just go and re-read the article.
The day before the fast if you eat more food it doesn’t actually make a difference. Just eat what you want obviously be responsible and you won’t have any issues.
Drinking extra also doesn’t help because then the next day your body expects it.
Somethings do make sense on this post like eating more fats and less salt
this woman gave her name and qualifications could you do that too please?
most people’s eating habits especially in the frim world are so unpredictable the body has no idea what to expect….
reread the article and keep to what the dietitian has written.
I disagree with the salt. Limiting salt means you end up eating less beforehand (because the food is not as tasty) and you end up being hungry the next day. So I eat a lot of protein and fiber so I am full all day
there are exemptions for people who shouldn’t be fasting. ask your rav.
Thank you!!
Get your favorite paramedic to give you a bag of lactated ringers
Appreciated.
Article is nonsense it’s better to eat fatty red meat and no grains
About 20 years ago I was told by a nutritionist to stop eating all forms of sugar 48 hours before a fast. No honey, maple syrup, refined or any other type of sweetener. (Most refined foods, including breads, crackers and chips have sugar, so it means staying away from any foods that have sugar or sweetener in their ingredients) I went from being a person that blacks out from fasting to being able to fast like a normal person. I’ve passed this advice on to many friends and they report much better fasts as well.
Limiting added sugar can be a life changer–for the positive. It takes about 10 days to wean off of it. Once you get past the cravings you’ll feel better overall. Natural sugars such as fruit are fine because the fiber slows down absorption. Fruit juices as a drink are just plain unhealthy.
Feeling tired? Depressed? Try eliminating added sugar (read labels) as much as you can.
Like right before the fast, don’t overstrain the body by drinking too much water at one time. Space out drinking lots of water throughout the day. Sports drinks like Power-aid, Gatorade are good earlier in the day, as their sweetness creates more thirst. Drink more water! Have an easy meaningful fast!
We don’t eat “lunch” on Shabbos. What we eat is called seudas Shabbos.
is that seriously what your response is? good for you that that’s the thing you find most important in this article.