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Hey hackers,

I did a pretty long fast most of yesterday and into today -- about 20 hours I think. When breaking a fast, what is best? I'm craving carbs like sweet potato and nuts, but other, fattier foods sound tasty too. I guess anything sounds tasty. But like I said, if I want to break my fast, what is the best profile of macronutrients, etc?

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Total coincidence as I too just broke a 20 hour fast. I had sweet potatoes, a bit of chicken and then waited a bit and had some salmon. I am sorry I have nothing helpful to add but was a bit curious about the macronutrients and best way to break a fast before just eating what I had brought to the office for lunch. – Recurion Feb 24 2012 at 16:38
I've wondered the same thing, even if it is "only a short fast." – Chris Feb 24 2012 at 16:53

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I tried to find some guidelines on leangains.com for you but all I could find was:

"On workout days, break the fast with meat, veggies and a fruit. If you’re planning to train shortly after this meal, add a few carbs in the form of a starch source." http://www.leangains.com/2008/06/sure-fire-fat-loss.html

So it probably doesn't matter, though I would think going higher on protein may feel better for the stomach then higher sugar or fats.

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That was a pretty good article as far as guidelines go. Thanks for posting. Also, reinforces what Joshua said - for non-work out days, go with something low in carbs. Generally protein to break the fast. – DanielleO812 Mar 1 2012 at 13:51
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I'd go for yogurt and berries and go for a long walk. Then have some bacon and eggs mid-walk. That's if it were a perfect Sunday morning.

The macronutrients are the same no matter how you mix them up. Whatever your appetite says to do.

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I'm on ADF (alternate day fasting) right now so I go about 40 hours of water-fast. I usually break mine with coffee that has cream and honey added.

I agree with thhq and Wayne that at the 20-hour point you can pretty much do what you want. It's what you're hungry for and what goes down best. In my case, once I have adulterated coffee to sip I'm not really hungry for solid food so I usually don't eat a meal until the 44-48 hour mark. But then I eat meals arranged exactly the same as when I was eating every day.

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@Nance - Can you explain a bit about your strategy behind ADF and what benefits you have seen from it? Thanks. – spayne Feb 24 2012 at 17:51
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I read this research review and more statements about it: ajcn.org/content/86/1/7.full and decided to give ADF a try. After one week, my fasting and post-meal blood glucose are absolutely perfect. My blood pressure is much improved but not 100% where I want it yet. But that's only one week so I'm very hopeful.. – Nance Feb 24 2012 at 18:44
Thanks for the link to that study. Interesting stuff! It certainly makes good evolutionary sense that there would be times of famine for hunter gatherers. – raney Feb 24 2012 at 19:40
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I always break fasts with a zero carb meal, but that's mostly to take further advantage of ketosis.

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hmm. Explain? Like the fast puts you in ketosis so you want to stay there? – Caleb the Hobbit Feb 24 2012 at 21:11
You got it Caleb. – Joshua Feb 24 2012 at 23:15
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Only 20hours and your concerned with breaking a fast? Eat whatever you like,ridiculous question.

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I know it is a short fast, I just didn't want to overdo anything. Travelling on an empty stomach was rough. – Caleb the Hobbit Feb 24 2012 at 16:48
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no need to be a d*ck... yikes. – Chris Feb 24 2012 at 16:53
No doubt. No real need at all. I think it is a legit question. 20 hours would be a long time for me. – spayne Feb 24 2012 at 17:52
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"You're" versus "your". Check it. – Abick7 Feb 25 2012 at 3:40
I thought this was a place to help answer eachother's questions, not ridicule eachother. I personally think the only "ridiculous" question is one that wasn't asked. – DanielleO812 Mar 1 2012 at 13:45

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