Gail Stotsky, a doctor for IU Medical Group, observes the Yom Kippur fast. About four hours after a meal, she said, the body begins to break down its glycogen, reserves of energy stored mostly in the liver.

“For Yom Kippur, (glycogen’s) most of what is getting you through the day,” Stotsky said. “You’ve generally got enough to last you eight to 12 hours.”

Stotsky said she recommends a balance of carbohydrates, fat and protein in the meal before fasting in order to have long-lasting glycogen as well as quick-acting calories. “You’re not in danger of losing nutrients in the one day of Yom Kippur, but think how bad you would feel if you just ate McDonald’s for the whole month of Ramadan,” Stotsky said.

According to Stotsky, people usually can’t overeat or binge during the breaking of the fast because of such regulating mechanisms in the kidney and the stomach.

“You feel full pretty fast,” Stotsky said. “And you’re kind of tired, so you rest and talk with your friends, and then you go to bed. That’s it, really.” By Thalib Razi <[email protected]>