Nutrition and fasting

Question
Hi,

I am planning to do a 40-day liquid fast during lent. I have done a juice fast before, about 8 years ago, and was very careful to get vitamins, take fiber supplements, not exert myself much, etc. The fast went just fine but I did lose a considerable amount of weight during the process and then gained back 10 extra pounds in the 8 months following. I don't mind losing a few pounds but I'm pretty thin and I would really prefer not to lose as much as last time and send my body into starvation mode. So I was thinking that this time I could add 2% milk to the mix which would help leave both protein and fat in the fast. But then I read that adding a "food" product, like milk, changes how your digestive system works during the fast.

What would you advise for a liquid diet where my goals are NOT to lose weight (but I'm okay with losing a few pounds) and to stay as healthy as possible during the process?

Thanks,
Megan

Answer
Megan, I hope you understand that fasting doesn't really agree with our current understanding of human physiology. I know it's very popular in the alternative and natural health circles, but most doctors and scientists dispute the health benefits of fasting.

Also, your question is somewhat contradicting. One the one hand you don't want to lose weight, and on the other hand you want to "give your digestive system rest" by abstaining foods.

Please understand that if you drink or eat anything with calories it's going to "change how your digestive system works during the fast".

However, if you are determined to go through with this, how about making it a smoothie fast? Try making green smoothies during your fast. They are both highly nutritious and yet very easy to digest. If you Google green smoothies you'll find plenty of recipes.

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