Body stages Stage 11 of 11
After the fast
Refeeding
Refeed gradually. After longer fasts, electrolytes shift when eating resumes, and about half the initial drop returns as water and glycogen.
What studies measured
Phosphate, potassium and magnesium shift when eating resumes; about half of the drop in body mass returns within days as water and glycogen.
How it may feel
Relief, then fullness quickly.
What to do
Small first meal, then build up over your plan's refeed days: at least three after a supervised fast.
Sources
- ASPEN 2020ASPEN Consensus Recommendations for Refeeding Syndrome. Nutr Clin Pract, 2020.
- NICE CG32Nutrition support for adults: oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition (CG32). NICE clinical guideline, 2006.
- Pietzner 2024Systemic proteome adaptions to 7-day complete caloric restriction in humans. Nat Metab, 2024.
What studies measured in healthy adults, not a reading of your own body. Stop and seek help if you feel unwell; the signs to stop for are listed under Stop signs on the safety page.