Guidelines For Breaking A Fast

When you haven’t eaten for awhile, it is important to introduce food to your body in a careful way. Read these instructions to your group before you break your fast.

• Do not overeat. Your digestive tract has slowed down and your stomach is in the process of shrinking. It can not handle a large amount of food.
• Break the fast with liquids and a very light, low-calorie meal of bland, cooked foods. Rice is a good choice. Pizza is not. Avoid rich foods.
• Slowly reintroduce your body to fruit, eggs, cheese, and small quantities of meat.

As you break your fast, take the opportunity to share with each other about what you’ve learned and experienced. Use some of these questions to guide your discussion:

• How did you feel physically?
• How did it feel to be hungry?
• What did you learn about the connection between food and compassion?
• What insights have you gained from reflecting and meditating on Scripture?
• How can you take these lessons into your regular life?
• What things can you do to continue to fight world hunger?