If you must have something to eat during the period of the fast, eat a piece of watermelon. Always eat watermelon by itself, with no additional foods. You can try applesauce- fresh, not canned- made in a blender or food processor. Leave the skin on the apples, and do not cook them.
To promote cleansing of the colon before and after your fast, be sure to make extra fiber a part of your daily diet. Bran, especially oat bran, is an excellent source of fiber.
Do not chew gum while on the fast. The digestive process starts with chewing and prompts the body to secrete enzymes into the gastrointestinal tract. If there is no food in the stomach for the enzymes to digest, trouble occurs.
While fasting, continue your normal daily routine, including moderate exercise. Avoid any strenuous exercise.
During your fast, be sure to get adequate rest. If necessary, try napping during the day to recharge your body’s “batteries”.
If you are a denture wearer, keep your dentures in your mouth throughout the fast to prevent shrinkage of the gums.
If you are over sixty-five, or if you need daily supplements for another reason, continue taking your vitamin and mineral supplements during the fast.
During a fast, as toxins are released from your body, you will probably experience a coated tongue and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. To relieve this problem, try rinsing your mouth with fresh lemon juice.
Other symptoms you may experience as a result of the release of toxins from the body include fatigue; body odor; scaly skin; headaches; dizziness; irritability; anxiety; confusion; coughing; nausea; diarrhea; dark urine; dark, foul-smelling stools; insomnia; body aches; sinus and bronchial mucus discharge; and/or visual or hearing problems. These symptoms are not serious and will quickly pass for most individuals. Also the symptoms will lessen the more acquainted your body becomes with the whole process of fasting.