Breaking a fast with fruit causes de... 
#49220
19 y
56,819
RN Educational
I just read in one of the other fasting forums that breaking a fast with fruit can be very damaging and even cause death. I was planning on breaking my fast with fruit but now I don't know. Is this true? I feel like I've done this much work, I don't want to ultimately hurt myself.
- Re: Breaking a fast with fruit cause... UserX
19 y
48,554
This is a reply to # 687,433My brother is finishing up day #21 of water at http://www.healthpromoting.com/index.htm
They break w/juice for the first days. Then fruit.
bobmantz.com
ps - he is finishing today so I do not have further info on how long he's on juice, etc. - That is not accurate information....... skyflier06
19 y
48,666
This is a reply to # 687,433What kind of fruit are they talking about? Dried fruits could be a problem. Also, overripened fruits of a highly fermented type, such as pineapple, are reportedly a problem and could be somewhat toxic after an extended water only fast.
Fuhrman, one of the leading fasting practitioners, recommends breaking a water only fast with HIGH WATER CONTENT fruit such as Watermelon and orange. Juice is good too, but the solid fruit will help begin the digestive process and speed bowel movements.
I have done a 9 and 15 day water only fast and used Fuhrman's method of 1/2 orange every few (waking) hours on the first day, one whole orange every few hours on the second and third days, with lettuce being introduced on the third day. The 4th through the 7th day are much like that, eating the fruits and slowly introducing raw and cooked veggies, without seasonings or heavy dressings.
I think the information you got was incomplete....something doesn't add up there.
Regards,
Sky
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- Re: That is not accurate information... UserX
19 y
48,241
R
This is a reply to # 687,435Correct. Further research by the docs at http://www.healthpromoting.com/index.htm
have found that some fasters might have gastric upset, etc. with fruit due to its fiber. They recommend (after 5000 fasters have come and gone) breaking a Water Fast with juice for 1/7th the time you fasted.
ie, 2 week fast = 2 days juice breaking
- Re: That is not accurate information... skyflier06
19 y
47,890
This is a reply to # 687,445I know much can be said for using juice and I would certainly not argue that point.
I would be careful however, to not discourage fasters from using Fuhrman's method which is very gentle and conservative. Whoever made the statement that "breaking a fast using fruit can be dangerous and lead to death", really needs to take a few steps back and qualify that statement with some facts. Imho, generalizations like that are dangerous and do more harm than good.
Few if any complications are reported when using Fuhrman's method of using only high-water content fruits, and he also states that one should "eat slowly and chew the food very well", which will also aid in a smooth digestive transition. He is an IHAP colleague of Goldhamer and Lisle (the latter being from True North, the website and fasting clinic you are referring to at healthpromoting.com), and Fuhrman has fasted that many if not more at his clinic in New Jersey, and additionally, he uses juices as well.
Fuhrman fasted 46 days at Shelton's clinic and that method (breaking on high-water content fruits, oranges specifically) was Shelton's method. It was one of Shelton's associates, Dr. Virginia Vetrano, who noted that "animals in the wild have no juicers or blenders and therefore have to break their fasts naturally on whole foods, why should man be an exception?" (Cute example). But she further reasoned that the "bulk in the food is necessary to promote both peristalsis and mixing contractions in the stomach and intestines. Bulk is necessary to promote secretion of the digestive juices of the stomach and intestines. The bulk of the food touching the stomach and intestinal walls is the stimulus for muscular contractions as well as for digestive secretions. Because of this, solid food is digested and handled more efficiently than juices. It is held in the stomach and intestines long enough for proper digestion and absorption, whereas juices, lacking this bulk are hurried along the digestive tract. Lacking in bulk, juices do not occasion strong peristaltic waves and do not elicit the gastrocolic reflex as strongly as solid foods. Because of these facts, when the fast is broken on juices, the first bowel movement after a fast is delayed". Vetrano goes on to talk about the loss of nutrients in juices by oxidation "no matter how carefully nor how quickly the juice is prepared". She also notes the "psychological and physiological necessity of chewing food", and she points out the advantage of breaking the fast with solids in that the "faster does not become bloated and over-filled with fluids and the bulk taken in solid food prevents overeating and the post faster is more satisfied with his meals". (quotes taken from " Fasting Can Save Your Life " by Herbert Shelton ).
Whether or not breaking with juices over whole fruit is (currently) considered a superior or safer method, I really don't know the answer to that. I'm just relating what I have read in Fuhrman and Shelton and their findings have proven true in my own experiences. Though I have also used juice a couple of times during the first 2 days of breaking, generally when whole fruit was not easily available - like at work, when I forgot to bring my orange slices.
Have you read 'The Pleasure Trap' by Lisle and Goldhamer, you know, the guys who run the True North Health Center referred to at healthpromoting.com? It's a wonderful book and it gives such a thorough investigation into the origins and characteristics of the MAD, and how it is the root cause of all the major chronic diseases (much like Fuhrman does in his book, 'Fasting and Eating for Health'), but in the 'Pleasure Trap', they really delve into the evolutionary biology involved with diet and diseases.
Best to you Bob, interesting questions raised here.
Sky
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- Re: That is not accurate information... UserX
19 y
47,593
R
MoreThis is a reply to # 687,447The book is in my library. My brother said that Lisle spoke 3x per week during his fast and was amazing to listen to. He allowed Mike to videotape so I'll get to see these lectures in a few weeks.
btw, I will be with Dr. Fuhrman in 2 weeks at my brother's engagement party.
My brother went from 223 to 174 in 21 days. Broke his fast with coconut water. Since he had fasted for 9 days before and broke that with fruit - they are letting him have a mix of juice and solid fruit today, day two of refeeding.
Bob- Re: That is not accurate information... skyflier06
19 y
47,322
This is a reply to # 687,450Amazing results for your brother...did he go for weight loss or to reverse disease?
You are going to meet Fuhrman at your brother's engagement party? That is very interesting. Your brother travels in an elite circle, yes? Are you or your brother involved in this field of practice also? You've peaked my interest, sorry for all the personal questions.
Fuhrman is one of my heros, he is the first author that I read who dealt with Water Fasting and proper nutrition. I have yet to fully incorporate his principles into my life, but I am on that journey.
Wow, I wish I could also go to the True North Clinic, sounds like a great experience.
Regards,
Sky
- Re: That is not accurate information... UserX
19 y
47,289
This is a reply to # 687,451My brother and his fiance both worked with Dr. F. My brother is a second year med student at U Pitt w/a MH from the School of Natural Healing.
He did the fast for research - presentation next year at U Pitt and, also, so that when he is practicing he is not a 'virgin'. Advising folks to fast when he had never done it himself. His weight went from 223 to 174 in the 21 days.
Dr. Fuhrman, Schulze, Christopher, Goldhamer, Lisle - we try and roll them all into one!
If you decide to ever go - True is the place. My brother has really enjoyed his stay - the staff is excellent.
Bobmantz.com- Re: That is not accurate information... skyflier06
19 y
47,321
R
This is a reply to # 687,453It's wonderful to hear of these techniques making their way into mainstream medical practice. I hope that is an indication of what we can look forward to in the near future.
I had similar results as your brother, losing an average of 2 pounds per day. So, on my 15 day fast, I lost a total of 30 pounds. On my 9 day fast, I lost 21 pounds, 9 of which were lost on the very first day.
Thanks for the info.
Sky
- Re: That is not accurate information... skyflier06
19 y
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R
- Re: That is not accurate information... UserX
19 y
47,289
- Re: That is not accurate information... skyflier06
19 y
47,322
- Re: That is not accurate information... UserX
19 y
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- Re: That is not accurate information... skyflier06
19 y
47,890
- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
47,482
This is a reply to # 687,435what could happen if one ends a fast incorrectly? Like if one just went back to eating poorly? My mom has done serveral very long Water Fasts and ended them by eating regular-bread, meats, Sugar etc. I have often wondered why she is still in such poor health even after fasting and wonder if the way she broke the fasts could actually cause her health to worsen more than if she had never fasted in the first place. Thanks
- Re:What happens if... UserX
19 y
47,274
This is a reply to # 687,456Not stopping what made you sick in the first place (read: a bad diet) means that you will never get well.
Ending a fast incorrectly can have painful effects. After a prolonged fast the body is not ready for food in general and certainly not capable of digesting shitty, processed foods. - Re:What happens if... skyflier06
19 y
47,113
This is a reply to # 687,456Fasting does a body no good if proper nutrition habits are not introduced and continued for the rest of our lives.
Like Fuhrman says, "If a person is unable or unwilling to make permanent changes in the diet and to follow a healthy eating plan before and after the fast, there really is no point in fasting."
It is not how your mother is breaking the fast that is keeping her in ill-health, although that can be very uncomfortable, even dangerous and certainly not recommended, but rather it is the food she continues to eat (sugar, red meat, bad carbs etc.) which promote illness instead of vibrant health.
So yes, if she refuses to change her eating habits, she is actually doing her body more harm than good by repeatedly putting her body through the rigors of fasting, only to go back to the MAD or SAD, as they call our 'modern or standard American diet. She sounds like a classic yo-yo dieter, is that a fair observation?
Sky
- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
47,076
This is a reply to # 687,458yes! my mom is a yo-yo heath nut, sometimes juices for weeks, sometimes Water Fasts but always returns to eating standard junk food. She eats some good meals mixed into the other foods and thinks she is doing okay. What I dont understand is how a person can fast on water for 35 days then go back to eating crap. I mean she must have felt some definate positive health changes during such a fast (and shes done many of these), how could one ignore those changes? She uses fasts to "undo" long periods of poor eating.
- Re:What happens if... skyflier06
19 y
47,018
This is a reply to # 687,459lol...a 'yo-yo health nut'. That's a new one! But I am right there with her, battling that same fight.
It does seem incredible that a person can move between the two extremes - until you realize that the same psychological and physiological mechanisms, (in an unhealthy, overweight person that is, with one or more eating disorders), that drives a person to take a drastic measure such as fasting for long periods of time, is the same mechanism that eventually leads them back to indulging in a junk food diet. It's two sides of the same coin - habitual overeating of crappy foods ingrained since childhood. By now we know it's wrong, but it 'seems' to taste so good, it's what we know, it 'seems' to give us some comfort, it's fast, it's easy. We were raised (during the 40's, 50's, 60's and beyond) on highly processed, fatty, over-seasoned, low-nutrient foods.
Here's the kicker - WE'RE HUNGRY!!!! That's right, our bodies are so starved for proper nutrition that we keep eating and gorging on these horrible foods as our body fights to receive whatever nutrtion it can. This type of lifestyle is very habitual and can only be overcome with a constant effort to make good decisions about what we eat at least 80 to 90 percent of the time. It's a choice, a tough one for most of us, but it is a choice and so it is under our control.
It's very habitual, many many people struggle with it. I hope the younger generation will be a lot smarter about all of this as they see first hand the disastrous effects of what poor nutrition can do to the mind, body and soul.
How old is your mom? Does she already have some signs of disease? Perhaps she is still in denial since you say she "thinks she is doing okay" and that the "fasts are undoing long periods of poor eating". That is not realistic thinking at all and what a poor example she is setting for you. She is seriously jeopardizing her health and most experts would agree that it would be better to maintain a more or less constant state of obesity, than to go back and forth, gaining large amounts of weight then taking drastic measures to lose large amounts and then gain them back again and on and on. What a terrible toll on the body, one that can lead to early death and studies back that up.
I'm 53 and have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Some Arthritis is setting in now. If I dont' get things turned around soon, I will surely struggle with health issues in my 70's, when I could be enjoying the time of my life! If your mom has not reached menopause yet, she is in for a rude awakening. Hormonal changes occur that can further weaken a woman's health....but that needn't be cause for alarm if we take proper care of ourselves - much can be done to promote wellness.
Best to you, hope you are smarter than your mom and I pray my son is smarter than me.
Regards,
Sky
- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
47,041
This is a reply to # 687,461Thanks Sky for the wonderful message.
Yes my mom is an emotional eater, then again arent we all? She has multiple health issues-debilitating health issues and still continues this cycle. She knows so much about health probably as much as most curezone readers yet doensnt stand fast upon that knowledge. Which tells me the emotions run very deep and hurt more than her disfiguring health problems. I dont think she understands that ulitmately the diet effects the emotions and that by gaining control over her habitually eating she will have less emotional rollercoaster rides.
I went through it myself after I discovered how to eat healthy. I too was a yo-yo health nut-for 15 yrs. Then I just decided to switch off the person inside of me that identified with the bad food. I made a decision to lable myself as a person who only ate healthy who didnt use food as a crutch. It took a lot of reading. For three years I read from curezone at least an hour a day. I read how people felt better, I read about the crap and parasites people were discovering in their bodies, I read how people were suffering from years of poor health habits and I read how people felt more alive and healed old diseases. I made a firm discision that I would be wise because knowing what I know now I could not choose to be stupid anymore without living to regret it. There are no feelings worse than regret just knowing that I will avoid regret is the reason I choose to eat well everyday. Sometimes I fall back just a tiny bit-a cookie here or there but it's never like it was before. I thank God for helping me every step of the way and try to put him first.
Thank you for your wisdom, I appriciate it.- Re:What happens if... skyflier06
19 y
46,847
This is a reply to # 687,477I thank you for your wisdom!
You are very inspirational and it's wonderful to hear your story of self-education and of healing your emotional eating. Awesome! I have been visiting curezone for just over 2 years now and on the side, I also read read read. I am still in the midst of this tremendous struggle, and I fall off the wagon way too often. But, I am ahead of the game because I am not in denial anymore - about anything. I got all the knowledge I need, now I just need to make continued good choices, most of the time.
How long has your diet been turned around - how long have you been off junk foods, fats, bad carbs, etc? I can never seem to get past a few months at the most, but I feel like if I could stick it out for a good solid year, that could make the difference and my tastes would be permanently changed. Do these foods still hold temptations for you or are you more or less disgusted by them? Or perhaps, something in between these two extremes?
And, like you, I praise God for His wisdom and how He cares for me.
Thanks for your posts, your mother must be very proud of you, does she acknowledge your success?
Sky- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
46,804
This is a reply to # 687,482Thanks for the compliments.
Like I mentioned before I started working on my diet almost 15 years ago but never did make it to eating mostly fruits and veggies like I do now. It was 6 months ago that I decided to make a permanent change once and for all. I had been putting off truly living my life until I got my diet/health on track for so long. I am sensitive to junk food it makes me depressed and lethargic so while I was eating junk I could not really be my true self.
I knew I needed to make a lifelong commitment and follow it with all of my heart. I examined why so many people, myself included fail at changing bad habits. I saw that we make excuses like "Im too tired, too busy, too stressed/depressed, to change at this moment so I will give in this one time and work harder/ try again next time" I did that for so long that I was sick of repeating the endless cycle. I was always starting over never making much progress. I resolved to never have to start over again.
The problem with eating junk is that it will always have its hold on you if you consume it even in small amounts. You will never have a strong desire to eat healthy as long as you are eating crap. I decided that I wanted to crave and enjoy healthy food and knew that the only way to do this was to stop eating the crap cold turkey.
After a few months of eating healthy (I allowed myself one meal once a week that was non healthy food) I began to crave healthy foods. Now when I do cheat I can tell without a doubt the negative effects it has on me and I try not to ignore these negative effects so that the next time I want to cheat I rememeber them. I also think about the negative effects before I make a decision to cheat. When I give myself time to think it through I am more likely to stand fast. When I eat healthy foods I take the time to think about how clean they are and how they serve to nourish and build my body. I tell myself how privledged I am to know the truth about what real food it and how I should not waste this truth.
I also do not forget that it is only by the will of God that I am able to stand fast. Every morning I put God first by reading the bible. I thank him for my health and remember the foods he put on this earth are the ones that I could go out and gather myself -fruit/nuts from a tree or plants from the earth. I want him to be proud that I am wise in this way.
I think about the years wasted and resolve never to be unwise like that again. I think about how I do not want to burden others with my health issues or complaints. I think about how I do not want to be in a hospital or nursing home where I have no control over what I eat. I think about the example that I will be setting for my children and the gift of health I am giving to them and to their children as well.
Life is so much easier when I eat healthy. Eating poorly makes my life miserable. Yes I am tempted especially when I am tired, bored, stressed, or emotionally depressed. The thing about this is now that I know why I crave junk food I can see that after I have eaten it that it really does not solve the problem. It only temporaily distracts me from my emotions. Because I know that I am only trying to distract myself it ends up not working! This definately make junk food taste bad to me. The whole time I am eating it I am thinking-"this is stupid, I am going to have to pay the price and I did not even get much out of it". I now see junk food as a pleasure that lasts only minutes and it's just not worth it when I think of the cleansing it will take to clean it up later.
Yes, my mother is proud but I have not yet shared my current success with anyone. I want to start acting and looking healthy before I do. It's only been six months and I've just started the real cleaning process. Ive got a long ways to go and dont want to be examined while I'm on this road if you know what I mean. My whole body and mind are changing. I feel like I get to start over, its a miracle really.
GOD bless!
- Re:What happens if... skyflier06
19 y
46,780
This is a reply to # 687,484Awesome inspiration, I hope many others will read your post. I am printing it and putting it in my bible. You've really nailed it, and what more can be said?
I also start each day with the Lord, reading scriptures and praying and that time has become very precious to me.
Thank you so much for sharing - there are things you said that I plan to read over and over again.
Are you planning to undergo some of the other cleanses, like liver flush, etc?
Regards,
Sky- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
46,834
This is a reply to # 687,487Thanks again.
I am just starting to gear up for the Bowel Cleanse and liver flush. I had extreme sensitivity to oil for years which is just now starting to clear up. I was so fearful of Liver Flushes because of this.
Keep praying,, =)
- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
46,834
- Re:What happens if... skyflier06
19 y
46,780
- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
46,804
- Re:What happens if... skyflier06
19 y
46,847
- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
47,041
- Re:What happens if... UserX
19 y
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This is a reply to # 687,459Here are 3 easy introductions to a healthier diet:
Here are two recipes that are excellent. My wife's cholesterol went from an ok 195 to a much better 160 (69 HDL, 70 LDL) with these:
Furhman's Breakfast:
all amounts modifiable
1/2 cup 5 minute oatmeal
westsoy unsweetened vanilla or plain soymilk
some raisins, and or dates, and or currants
as many berries as you want - no limit on any berries. blue are a favorite, but use cran, straw, and rasp to your heart's content
grapes
a handful of nuts (raw almonds, walnuts, etc.). handful is what fits in your palm - not squeezed in a fist
tablespoon of ground flax
I add 6-7 fresh cranberries
any other fruit that you want in moderation
3 ways to prepare - make up the night before and let sit.
i make it up the night before but do not add the soy until ready to eat
make it up the night before, add the soy in the morning and let sit 15-30 minutes
the night before sit method is the thickest
you can sprinkle wheat germ on it to give it a crunch!
Lunch:
again, all amounts modifiable
5 oz spring mix (we use earthbound organics). if you freeze it and then thaw it, cover with water, it gets very seaweed like - it blends very easily
1-1.5 cups westsoy unsweetened vanilla or plain soymilk
1 avocado
Juice of 1 lemon
1 banana
1/2 cup + frozen or fresh blueberries
blend as you add each ingredient.
finally - for a supplement that is all plant based, vitalerbs. http://superfood.andmuchmore.com - look under dr. christopher's products.
bobmantz.com
- Re:Thanks Bob for your posts!=) nm #17163 19 y 46,578
- Re:What happens if... skyflier06
19 y
47,018
- Re:What happens if... #17163
19 y
47,076
- Re:What happens if... UserX
19 y
47,274
- Re: That is not accurate information... UserX
19 y
48,241
R
- Re: Breaking a fast with fruit cause... superfriend
19 y
48,117
This is a reply to # 687,433I posted a message quoted from Arnold Ehret (he once did a 49 day Water Fast under scientific observation) about breaking a Water Fast with fruit causing death, I never break a fast with fruit after reading his books. I was just trying to be nice and helpful. He fasted thousands of people curing all sorts of diseases and he recommended basically to everyone to break their Water Fast with green leafy vegetables, to move out the toxic debris that fasting had loosened as fast as possible. He recommended breaking a water fast with fruit only if you only had eaten fruit and green leafy vegetables for a very long time before fasting. He said the Sugar in fruit can react with the mucus stirred up during the fast causing bad results, death in two cases.
http://www.arnoldehret.com - Re: Breaking a fast with fruit cause... #154340
9 y
23,000
This is a reply to # 687,433Always break long juice a fast with grated apples.The pectin is important.
All over the web there are some really crazy ideas people have about how to break a fast, but they are NOT the experts in fasting there is a big difference. One thing I read I could not believe . Was to eat tomatoes when you break a fast, that is so wrong a nightshade vegetable is not how you break a fast!
The experts that run fasting clinics in Europe and help thousands of people know how to break a fast, Dr. Paavo suggests waking in the morning
drinking water with a squeeze of lemon, and then for breakfast grated apples there is something in the pectin of the apple is important when breaking a fast. I always sprinkle a little cinnamon on the apples. Later, a salad and/or maybe some broth or soup. I make a light puree butternut squash soup; Be careful to chew you food slowly and thoroughly . Next day, grated apples, for lunch maybe three or four stewed prunes and 75-80% of the food you eat should be raw, for week or two depending on how long your fast was should and nice warm soup is good choice.. I would avoid meat at first. Also, a few tablespoons of homemade yogurt two or three days after you break the fast is good way to get the good probiotics. If you eat all the bad things and overeat you can undo alt he good things the fast has done for your body.
- Re: Breaking a fast with fruit cause... UserX
19 y
48,554
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