{"id":3179,"date":"2024-02-07T16:14:30","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T23:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/?p=3179"},"modified":"2024-02-14T15:06:14","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T22:06:14","slug":"to-eat-or-not-to-eat-best-foods-to-eat-after-breaking-your-fast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/to-eat-or-not-to-eat-best-foods-to-eat-after-breaking-your-fast\/","title":{"rendered":"To eat or not to eat: Best foods to eat (and avoid) after breaking your fast"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;5px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/cdn.unicity.com\/media\/ufg\/blog\/2024\/02\/14150445\/What-not-to-eat-after-fasting.png\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" alt=\"Woman holding a yellow bell pepper in each hand at a farmer's market\" class=\"wp-image-3219 alignnone size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/cdn.unicity.com\/media\/ufg\/blog\/2024\/02\/14150445\/What-not-to-eat-after-fasting.png 1080w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/cdn.unicity.com\/media\/ufg\/blog\/2024\/02\/14150445\/What-not-to-eat-after-fasting-980x552.png 980w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/cdn.unicity.com\/media\/ufg\/blog\/2024\/02\/14150445\/What-not-to-eat-after-fasting-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blog.unicity.com\/post\/is-intermittent-fasting-right-for-you\">Intermittent fasting<\/a> is popular in part because of its flexibility (not to mention the <a href=\"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/more-than-just-weight-loss-8-other-benefits-of-intermittent-fasting\/\">many benefits<\/a>). In addition to allowing individuals to choose the fasting window that works best with their lifestyle, it doesn\u2019t restrict what they eat either, making it a popular strategy for weight management and supporting overall health.<\/p>\n<p>However, the foods you eat immediately after ending a fast can affect you differently than if you eat them later in the day.<\/p>\n<h2>Why what you eat after fasting matters<\/h2>\n<p>After taking a longer break from eating (16 hours is ideal), it\u2019s important to gently ease your body back into digestion. If you dive right into a large, highly processed meal, it can be a real shock to your gut, causing tummy troubles that can take a few hours to resolve.<\/p>\n<h2>5 foods not to eat after fasting<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s start by talking about what not to eat after fasting. In general, you\u2019ll want to avoid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blog.unicity.com\/post\/ultra-processed-foods\">ultra-processed foods<\/a>, foods high in saturated fats, and other hard-to-digest foods.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sugary treats and drinks.<\/strong> Any high-carb food will make your blood sugar spike, and if you haven\u2019t eaten for a while, this spike will be more dramatic. You\u2019ll probably find yourself hungry again in a few hours, too, as well as lacking in energy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Red meat.<\/strong> Foods high in saturated fat, like beef and pork, are harder to digest. Breaking your fast with a thick, juicy steak might delight the taste buds, but it\u2019ll send your digestive system into overtime and may cause digestive upset for a while.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Raw veggies.<\/strong> Raw, cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are excellent sources of fiber and essential nutrients\u2014but can cause bloating and other digestive troubles if eaten too soon after breaking a fast.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nuts and seeds.<\/strong> Nuts and seeds are a good source of healthy fat, but may cause temporary discomfort due to the fact that they\u2019re harder to digest. Like raw veggies, it\u2019s best to wait a few hours after you break your fast to eat a lot of nuts and seeds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Legumes.<\/strong> Another food you might want to save for your second meal of the day. Legumes are a good source of protein, complex carbs, and fiber, but those with sensitive stomachs might have trouble digesting them right after a fast.<\/p>\n<p>Tip: It may be tempting to overindulge when breaking a fast, especially if you\u2019re hungry. Oftentimes we see this as a reward for fasting in the first place. Try to avoid this line of thinking, though. Overindulging after a fast can not only cause digestive upset, but also lessen\u2014or even negate\u2014some of the benefits you gained by fasting.<\/p>\n<h2>7 foods to eat after fasting<\/h2>\n<p>Each person is different and each body\u2019s response to breaking a fast will vary, but a good rule of thumb is to start with easy-to-digest and rehydrating foods.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bone broth.<\/strong> One of the best macronutrients to consume after a fast is protein, and you\u2019ll find plenty of that in an easy-to-digest form in bone broth. It\u2019ll also help you rehydrate and replenish your electrolytes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fish.<\/strong> Fish is easier to digest than most other animal-based proteins. It may seem strange to chow down on fish for a late breakfast or early lunch, but it\u2019s actually a great way to ease your body back into digestion mode\u2014and comes with lots of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blog.unicity.com\/post\/best-omega-3s-for-your-health\">omega-3s<\/a> and other important nutrients to fuel your body the right way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Whole fruit.<\/strong> Fruits are high in water content and contain carbs that are easy to digest. Whole fruits with skin on have a good amount of fiber too, which helps support normal, healthy blood sugar levels. Berries, melons, and bananas are especially good for breaking your fast because they are high in water, fiber, and vitamins.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Avocados.<\/strong> Most high-fat and high-fiber foods aren\u2019t ideal right after fasting, but avocados are the exception to the rule. In addition to unsaturated fat and dietary fiber, avocados also contain a high amount of nutrients\u2014potassium, magnesium, several vitamins\u2014all good things to resupply your body with after breaking a fast.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Yogurt.<\/strong> Fermented foods like Greek yogurt are a natural source of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blog.unicity.com\/post\/prebiotics-vs-probiotics-vs-postbiotics\">probiotics<\/a>, the good kind of bacteria that supports the gut microbiome. Probiotic-rich foods can help get things moving again, making them a smart choice when breaking your fast.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eggs.<\/strong> Eggs are a complete source of protein (meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids), and contain several essential vitamins and minerals. Starting your day with eggs ensures you\u2019re getting the nutrients your body needs most after a long fast.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cooked green veggies.<\/strong> While raw veggies can cause digestive issues right after a fast, cooked veggies are one of the best foods to eat after fasting. The cooking process breaks down the cellulose, making them easier to digest without losing the vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n<p>Tip: Remember, it\u2019s important to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blog.unicity.com\/post\/why-staying-hydrated-is-important\">hydrate regularly<\/a>, both while you\u2019re fasting and during your eating window, especially right after breaking your fast. If at any time you need a little bit of a boost, <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.unicity.com\/home\/by%20category\/unimate?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=en&amp;utm_campaign=what%20to%20eat%20after%20if&amp;utm_content=151\">Unimate<\/a>\u00a0is always a great option because it supports mental stamina, focus, and satiety without breaking your fast. If you need more variety, check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/tips-about-what-to-drink-and-what-to-avoid-while-intermittent-fasting\/\">drinks that will and won\u2019t break your fast<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>An important way to improve your intermittent fasting results<\/h2>\n<p>Intermittent fasting can take a while to get right, and knowing which foods to eat and which to avoid at the end of your fast is one of the tricks that will help you succeed. For more intermittent fasting help, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/usa\/en\/home?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=en&amp;utm_campaign=what%20to%20eat%20after%20if&amp;utm_content=152\">ufeelgreat.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Intermittent fasting is popular in part because of its flexibility (not to mention the many benefits). In addition to allowing individuals to choose the fasting window that works best with their lifestyle, it doesn\u2019t restrict what they eat either, making it a popular strategy for weight management and supporting overall health. However, the foods you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":3182,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"What Not to Eat After Fasting","_seopress_titles_desc":"Breaking your fast with the right foods can do a lot to improve your intermittent fasting experience. Learn more about what not to eat after fasting, as well as the best foods to eat after fasting.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>1<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-intermittent-fasting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3179"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3179"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3179\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3221,"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3179\/revisions\/3221"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3179"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3179"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ufeelgreat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}