March 1st was the first day of the period of Lent of the Catholic Church and many of its faithful followers tend to fast. If you are one them, take care of your health and avoid negative consequences.
Nathalie Solera, a nutritionist from Consultas Nutrición, explained some of the things people should consider when they fast, and that children and elderly people should avoid fasting.
If you have an illness:
Be aware of your state of health. If you have a disease and it’s not recommended to spend long periods without food, fasting could aggravate your situation. For example, a diabetic person might suffer decompensation if they don’t eat frequently,”
said Solera.
If you must consume daily medication, do not stop taking them. Some drugs are heavy for the digestive system and should be consumed along with food. In this case it is recommended to eat something light along with the medicine and then proceed with fasting.
If you are pregnant:
Pregnant women should not make a prolonged fasting, as this could cause decompensation, hypoglycemia, hypotension and affect the development of the pregnancy,”
advised the nutritionist.
If you have a virus:
Fasting is not recommended when people have an infection or viral illness such as flu or stomach virus, because the body is weak at that time and it can easily become dehydrated,”
reminded Solera.
Some fasting tips:
-Even if a person is healthy, they should not fast for more than 48 hours. The recommended period is 24 hours.
-Drink water to avoid significant health complications.
What to do before and after fasting?
-Before: For a 24-hour fast, it is advisable to have a light dinner the day before, avoiding red meat and fried foods and always drinking a lot of water. Baked fish, steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes are a good, healthy option.
-After: choose light meals with nutritious foods that are easily digestible. If you fasted for 24 hours, you can start with a tea to improve digestion, and the move to a homemade corn tortilla with Turrialba cheese. Another good option is a strawberry, watermelon and mint smoothie and a soda cracker.