SEPTEMBER 29 • 2022 | 39

W

ater, water, water, a lot of 
water,” said Shirah Fish 
of the Lunch Box. Shirah 
expresses the importance of hydration 
during the Yom Kippur fast day. 
“I think most of us are walking 
around dehydrated and we don’t even 
realize it. Then, when you 
add fasting you know it’s 
going to take out a lot from 
you.”
JN contributing writer 
Rochel Burstyn wrote about 
Shirah back in August where 
she explained how she pre-
pares about 100 lunches 
every week for busy families 
in Oak Park, Southfield and 
Huntington Woods. 
“People forget to take care of them-
selves. Moms are busy with their kids 
all day and lunch is the first thing they 
forget,” Shirah said.
With Yom Kippur approaching, 
Shirah says you should start changing 

your diet leading up to the holiday. 
“Before the fast, I make sure I’m 
drinking a lot of water, eating fruits and 
veggies that have a high-water content.”
Shirah learned about what types of 
fruits and veggies she should eat ahead 
of a fast when she was in Israel years 
ago, and she continues to use 
these practices today before a 
fast day. 
“It can even be grapes, 
watermelon, cucumbers, 
or celery, anything with 
a high-water content. It’s 
important to have balanced 
and nutritious meals leading 
up to Yom Kippur to help 
your body fill up with carbo-
hydrates and protein.” 
Some of those foods include vegeta-
bles, salads, quinoa, brown rice, grilled 
chicken, salmon, or vegetable protein 
like tofu, tempeh or beans. 
 “Then decreasing the caffeine, espe-
cially for people who have that coffee 

addiction,” Shirah added. 
Shirah says one way to give yourself a 
good timeline is during Rosh Hashanah.
“Right after Rosh Hashanah, you 
can use those 10 days to get your body 
ready. I usually try to change my diet 
more than a day before the fast. The 
sooner you can start and build up those 
nutrients, your body can handle a fast 
day a lot easier.” 
Before the day of the Yom Kippur 
fast, Shirah says her family will eat 
grapes, watermelon and soup for din-
ner. 
“I usually serve a nice veggie soup 
to help give us a lot of hydration and 
nutrients at the same time.” 
Shirah says the No. 1 thing to do 
to help your body ahead of the Yom 
Kippur fast is to stay hydrated and to 
drink a lot of water. 

To learn more about the Lunch Box you can follow 

on Instagram @thekosherlunchbox or on Facebook. 

For the weekly menu or more information, call, text or 

WhatsApp Shirah at (248) 607-4549.

Shirah Fish of the Lunch Box shares how she 
prepares her body for the Yom Kippur fast.

How to Prepare Your 
Body for Yom Kippur 

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LUNCH BOX

Hydration 
station

Noodle 
Power 
Bowl

