If you are planning to fast this lent season, you want to first make sure that you’re doing it in a healthy way, and second, you need to make it through the forty days without giving up nor depriving your body of any essential nutrients. Check out our 5 tips to have a successful lent season:
1.Water, water, and more water
The first thing to do after breaking your fast is rehydrating your body before eating any food. So when the clock hits noon and your body is feeling both thirsty and hungry, start with drinking water, and don’t guzzle it down quickly, drink it slowly so you don’t cause any tightness in your stomach.
2. Get enough protein
When you think of protein, the first thing that comes to mind is meat and chicken, both items which you are probably cutting during these 40 days. So you need to think of alternatives, and the most obvious one is fish, but there are also several other meatless protein sources which we’ve suggested last year such as cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, and if you’re also fasting from those items you can go for vegetable proteins like soybeans and legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and kidney beans.
3. Maintain satiety
During the time that you can eat, you want to make sure you’re eating enough and eating the right foods in order to maintain satiety during the hours of fast.
– The trick is to always have enough fiber-rich meals since fiber stays in the stomach longer than other foods and keeps you feeling full for a longer period of time. So always have a big bowl of leafy green veggies along with your meal.
– It’s important as well to keep drinking water throughout the day, and if you’re not a big fan of the taste of water, add a slice of lemon to it or a dash of flower essences like rose water or orange blossom water.
4. Avoid gaining weight
While breaking the fast, it is understandable that you’ll be very hungry however that is the fastest way to gain weight, because if you overeat in your first meal, your metabolism will slow down. Instead, plan your meals in small portions throughout the day and evening to maintain a proper metabolism level. Moreover, don’t use the fact that you’re fasting as an excuse to avoid exercising.
5. A healthier alternative to sugar
If like many people you decide to abstain from eating chocolate during the lent season, you are going to need to get your sugar fix from other sources. The most obvious and healthier alternative is fruits, which provide you with natural sugar and nutritious benefits. You can also check out our selection of protein snacks (like wafer bars, puddings, drinks) that provide you with the sweet taste of dessert without the weight gain part.
By following these tips, you would be offering yourself a chance to focus on the most important part of lent season, which is the spiritual aspect.