How to Eat and Drink Before the Tisha B'Av Fast

Eating Before the Fast

1. One of the major issues on a fast day is dehydration. Therefore, it's advisable to start drinking a large amount of liquids, focusing on water, already in the morning of the fast's eve, and to maintain this with 10-12 glasses throughout the day. Ample drinking significantly helps ease headaches and fatigue. It's particularly recommended to reduce the intake of sugared drinks, coffee, tea, and alcohol, as they cause thirst and promote fluid loss.

2. It's beneficial to start the preparation process the day before the fast. Make sure to eat small meals every two to three hours, and don't reach the pre-fast meal feeling hungry. The small meals can contain slow-digesting carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread, oatmeal, quinoa, or brown rice, preferably with a small portion of protein like various cheeses, fish, or an egg, which greatly aid in satiety and calm. Examples of meals: a whole-grain bread sandwich with cheese, oatmeal porridge with milk, a light salad with cheese and egg, a rice dish with lentils, baked fish with potatoes, etc.

Complex carbohydrates are absorbed slowly by the body and, combined with protein, provide a long-lasting feeling of fullness.

3. It's advisable to limit foods that are spicy, salty, or overly seasoned, such as hot peppers, pickles, olives, nuts, pretzels, and the like.

The Pre-Fast Meal

1. It should not be too heavy. For example: clear soup or vegetable soup (not salty), cooked vegetables with fish, sliced tomato, and a carbohydrate side like rice or quinoa.

2. It's advisable to include fruits and vegetables in the meal, although not in large quantities, as they fill the stomach for only a short time. Therefore, before a fast like Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur, they should be considered only as a supplement rather than a main dish.

After the Fast

1. It's recommended to start with lukewarm drinks. Not too hot nor too cold – preferably warm tea with a bit of honey.

2. Start eating slowly and in small portions, such as a drink with a not-too-sweet cake or a cracker with cream cheese.

3. After the fast, the body needs readily available energy but in very controlled eating. Rapid and excessive eating can cause headaches and a feeling of weakness, as the body suddenly receives high amounts of sugar and fat after a whole day of fasting.

4. After about an hour, it's recommended to eat a bowl of hot vegetable soup, and after another half an hour, fish with a light addition of sweet potato or potato. It's important to remember that at this point, hydrating is much more important than eating.

5. Tisha B'Av falls in the hot summer, so make sure to stay in cool places to prevent fluid loss. It's also recommended to minimize physical activity to conserve body fluids.

How to Fast Healthily?

A 24-hour fast doesn't harm adults but is not recommended for children and the elderly. Pregnant women – with a normal pregnancy, can fast after consulting a doctor.

For any health issues, also consult a doctor.

Remember that fasting doesn't "make you lose weight" – that's a misconception.

Nursing women who have prepared adequately shouldn't feel more than usual weakness during the fast. Nevertheless, nursing women are advised to consume a small addition – one teaspoon of fenugreek and one teaspoon of anise, steeped together for about 10 minutes in boiling water, strained, and drunk close to the fast. Of course, you can sweeten or mix it with another drink. These two plants can increase milk production to ensure sufficient milk for the mother both during and after the fast.

 A final recommendation: Finish eating 20 minutes before the fast begins, and afterward – just a little addition like a glass of drink, a small bite, etc.

May we merit complete and true redemption and the building of the Third Temple speedily in our days, amen.