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Fasting

Priya keeps a weekly fast, and Rahul, curious about the practice, asks her what she can and can't eat, and why she keeps doing it every week.

Rahul, Priya

Key words and phrases

fastto go without food or certain foods, often for religious reasonsShe fasts every Monday as part of her routine.
observe a fastto formally follow the practice of fastingMany people observe a fast on this particular day.
break the fastto eat again after a period of fasting endsShe broke the fast with a simple meal in the evening.
grain-freenot containing wheat, rice, or other cereal grainsHer fasting meals are usually grain-free.
sabudanatapioca pearls commonly eaten during fasting daysShe made sabudana khichdi for her fast.
rock salta type of unrefined salt often used specifically during fastingRegular salt is avoided, so she cooks with rock salt instead.
willpowerthe mental strength to control one's desires or actionsIt takes real willpower to skip meals all day.
spiritual disciplinea practice followed to develop self-control and devotionFor her, fasting is a form of spiritual discipline, not just a diet.
sunsetthe time in the evening when the sun goes downSome fasts are broken only after sunset.
dehydratedlacking enough water in the bodyShe drinks plenty of water so she doesn't get dehydrated.
personal beliefa conviction someone holds individually, not necessarily shared by everyoneFasting is a personal belief she chooses to follow.
moderationavoiding excess, eating or doing something in a controlled amountEven on non-fasting days, she eats with moderation.
fruit and milk dieta way of fasting where only fruit and dairy products are consumedShe follows a fruit and milk diet during the nine fasting days.
respect someone's practiceto accept and not question someone else's personal or religious habitHe learned to respect her practice even though he doesn't fast himself.
self-controlthe ability to manage one's own impulses and behaviourFasting has taught her a lot about self-control.
sense of gratitudea feeling of thankfulness, often deepened through practices like fastingShe said fasting gives her a stronger sense of gratitude for food.

Useful sentences

Dialogue

RahulI've noticed you fast every Monday. Is there a specific reason?

PriyaIt's a personal belief I've followed since I was young. It feels like a spiritual discipline to me.

RahulSo what can you actually eat on a fasting day?

PriyaGrain-free food mostly — sabudana, fruits, and everything cooked with rock salt.

RahulDoesn't it take a lot of willpower to skip regular meals all day?

PriyaIt did at first, but now it's become part of my routine.

RahulWhen do you usually break the fast in the evening?

PriyaRight after sunset, with something light like fruit and milk.

RahulI really admire your self-control. I don't think I could manage it.

PriyaYou don't have to — I just appreciate that you respect my practice.

Common mistakes

Quick quiz

1. What does "observe a fast" mean?

2. What does "break the fast" mean?

3. What is "rock salt" used for during fasting?

4. What does "spiritual discipline" mean?

5. What does it mean to "respect someone's practice"?

6. What does "dehydrated" mean?

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