Your decision is made: Congratulations! You've given yourself the best gift of all.
In addition to the interviews you can request with your guide before your stay, numerous documents will be sent to you to help you prepare for this week.
In order not to brutalize your body, it is advisable to do a week of gradual dietary reduction to ease into the fast and limit the small undesirable effects of changing your diet. To establish the benefits of fasting, it is also advisable to plan a week of dietary increase after the stay. Make your entourage allies and ask them to support you during these 3 weeks during which your diet cannot be the same as theirs.
What to know before you start
We are all unequal when it comes to fasting because each of us has our own metabolism and a different level of intoxication linked to our lifestyles.
So, it is normal to feel some discomfort at the beginning of a fast, as this is linked to the body's natural detoxification process. Indeed, when the body begins fasting, it releases toxins stored in fat to eliminate them, which can lead to temporary discomfort: headaches, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, tachycardia, etc.
These symptoms are temporary, and your companion will be able to help relieve and alleviate them. You may also not experience any of these discomforts.
Rule #1
Before fasting: place
to vegetables!
The food preparation phase, called dietary descent , begins a week before the fast. It consists of gradually lightening your diet by emphasizing raw and cooked vegetables, which are easy to digest and rich in nutrients and fiber.
At the same time, we gradually reduce the consumption of alcohol, meat, fish, starchy foods, cereals and dairy products, in order to prepare the digestive system.
Example of a 7-day schedule:
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Day 1: Normal diet, but more vegetables – and no alcohol or coffee.
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Days 2-3: Gradual reduction of meat and fish.
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Days 4-5: Reduce cereals, starches and dairy products.
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Days 6-7: Exclusively plant-based diet, raw or cooked.
Rule #2
Prepare your body
and your mind
As you approach fasting, your body must adjust to a more liquid diet. Increase your intake of unsweetened beverages (water, herbal teas, broths, fresh juices, soups) to ease this transition.
Also take time for yourself: relaxation, yoga, walking, or meditation. These moments of centering help you enter the fast in a state of calm and self-awareness.
Why stop coffee?
If possible, we suggest stopping or significantly reducing your coffee consumption beforehand. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, a molecule that promotes relaxation and drowsiness. The result when you stop abruptly: blood vessels dilate (vasodilation). This dilation temporarily increases cerebral blood flow, which can cause a withdrawal headache. The brain, accustomed to functioning with caffeine, takes some time to rebalance its natural functioning.
Rule #3
After fasting: take care of your eating habits
After the fast, comes a key phase: the resumption of food intake , which is done gradually and gently. It allows you to consolidate the benefits of fasting by reintroducing foods in the reverse order of the dietary descent. At the same time, this step will allow you to reseed your brand new microbiota.
Some guidelines for successfully completing this step:
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Stay well hydrated to help eliminate toxins.
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Chew slowly, enjoy the rediscovery of flavors.
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Start with vegetables, sprouted seeds, lactofermented foods, vegetable oils, nuts and vegetable proteins.
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Reintroduce sugars, starches, grains and dairy products at the very end of the week, and in small quantities.
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Avoid irritating condiments (salt, pepper, mustard, chili, vinegar).
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Do not plan family or festive meals, ask those around you to respect and support your return.