Breaking the Yom Kippur Fast Safely

Yom Kippur is the day in which Jews ‘afflict their souls,’ and one way to do this is to abstain from eating and drinking. The fast starts at sundown, at the eve of Yom Kippur and ends the following night. After fasting for a day, it is best to eat a light meal.  Returning to your normal eating pattern after fasting should be done gradually to avoid adverse health reactions.

  1. Before eating, drink a glass of milk or fruit juice. This is done to avoid the urge to overeat.
  2. Prepare a simple meal. You can eat dairy food which is traditional to breaking a Yom Kippur fast. Bagels with cream cheese is also a good choice. Other good options are cake and a hot cup of tea or salad.
  3. Remember that your digestive system is still adjusting at this point. Chew your food well to make digestion easier. Eat slowly and do not overeat.
  4. Take note of any digestive reactions your body may experience as you gradually return to your usual eating pattern.
  5. Drink plenty of water to replenish the water you lost from fasting. Drink at least 8 glasses of water (about 1.9 liters) within the next hours after breaking the fast.

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