There are a ton of fad diets that are neither beneficial to health nor deliver on the promises. However, in some ways, a fast can be beneficial for your body. While eliminating certain food groups from your diet can benefit your health, precaution must be taken before starting a fasting meal plan. Consult with your physician before starting a fast. Some big benefits of fasting are:
- Detox
- Purification of blood
- Restoring PH balance in the body
- Aid in weight loss
- Stabilize cholesterol levels
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve digestive health
Fasting is generally for a period of 3 days, 6 days, 9 days or 21days. While on afast, eliminate any animal products, tea, coffee, alcohol, sugar, flour, and processed food items. In this period, you limit your consumption to complete plant-based foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole food-grains, and water. You can consume plant-based milk like almond or soy milk and nut butter. Consider a plant-based, vegan diet during this period. You can have any hearty stews, soups, vegetable stir fry, smoothies, and porridges during the fast.
Here are some delicious recipe ideas to prepare during your fast
Pineapple Coconut Curry:
Start with sautéing some garlic, ginger, and onion in coconut oil. Add some cumin and coriander seeds. Add turmeric, dry ginger, and curry powder. Stir in bell peppers, carrots, peas, beans, pineapple and cook for 10 mins. Add 200 ml of coconut milk, salt and pepper. Once the curry forms a gravy, add in some chopped coriander. Remove from heat and drizzle in half a lime juice. Use the best basmati rice to serve with this curry. Pour a ladle of this delicious curry on top of steamed rice and serve hot.
Warm Italian Quinoa Salad:
Sauté some garlic in olive oil. Add chopped cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, salt, pepper. Add the cooked quinoa and cook for another 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup:
Slice one medium butternut squash and roast it at 350 degrees for 45 minutes in a baking tray with some cloves of garlic, sea salt, crushed pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Once roasted, add the mix into a food processor with 200 ml of coconut milk, 1 tsp of sweet paprika and blitz it till it gets a creamy consistency. Pour it in the pan and simmer for 10 minutes on low heat. Pour in a soup bowl and serve.
You can also make hummus, falafels, stews and plant-based porridges. Remember to drink plenty of water to remove toxins from your body during the fasting period. It is a nutrient dense and cleansing fast and promotes weight loss. Finally, do some exercise and include plenty of sleep during this period.
