What to eat to stay on feet

June 1, 2011 1:20 PM

What food and/or drink will provide the most energy while still being gentle?

Per Orthodox Jewish custom*, a groom fasts on his wedding until after the chuppah, usually late afternoon. I'm looking for food/drink that is ideal to break the fast on, and food/drink for the rest of the evening. There's about 4-7 hours* of intense dancing starting about an hour* after first breaking the fast, so the food needs to provide a bunch of energy, without weighing the eater down.

I've heard energy drinks (Red Bull etc), sports drinks (Gatorade, etc), water, energy bars (carb heavy), and others.. What would the perfect food be? Carbs? Fats? Proteins? Some combo? Specific foods?

*This is Judaism, of course customs vary!

posted by mhz to food & drink (14 answers total)

Protein, Fat, and some Carbs

how about a grilled tuna sandwich with a big glass of water?
Peanut butter is a great source of protein and fat.

Personally, I feel gross when I drink energy drinks.
posted by jander03 at 1:26 PM on June 1, 2011

Protein! Protein's a mood elevator, won't cause a sugar crash, and will give you stamina. Alas, oysters are out, right? If you're going to drink anything with alcohol in it, you'll want some fat to go with that protein.

Eggs would be good and you could have some cheese, as you wouldn't have to worry about mixing dairy.
posted by Ideefixe at 1:30 PM on June 1, 2011

When I break fast on Yom Kippur, I always break with orange juice--refreshing and a great burst of sugary energy.
posted by leesh at 1:30 PM on June 1, 2011

Take a look at the traditional foods eaten during Ramadan, where most Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for weeks on end.
posted by d. z. wang at 1:32 PM on June 1, 2011 [1 favorite]

Honestly, a great ratio of fast-acting sugar/fat/protein can be achieved with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat with milk.

P.S. I am not seven years old.
posted by General Malaise at 1:40 PM on June 1, 2011 [3 favorites]

Also. Also! I've never paid much attention to if the groom has someone do this, but the bride always has (it's been my job) a friend or relative whose sole job is to shove glasses of water at her at every opportunity the rest of the evening. Break in dancing? Water glass in your face. Seated in chair for those silly dances and shows people do in front of you? Water glass shoved in your face. It's a theme. Your job here is to put someone responsible in charge of this task AND to actually drink said water when given to you.
Also! Mazal Tov!
posted by atomicstone at 1:46 PM on June 1, 2011

I find it weird to contemplate breaking a fast with anything but matzoh ball soup-- electrolytes, liquids, easy to stomach. Followed up by something protein-y and lots and lots of fluids.

Mazel tov!
posted by charmcityblues at 1:58 PM on June 1, 2011

I'm a huge fan of Orgain, which is a product I don't think is widely known yet. It might be a good start. Your mileage may vary, but I would then go to toast. (Have a good time!)
posted by RJ Reynolds at 2:01 PM on June 1, 2011

If you want to go the supplement route and not eat *real* food, I suggest an endurance sport drink like Perpetum or something similar. The bonus here is that after the celebration, you can take up an endurance sport to use the rest of the supplement! Your wife will love it!
posted by Premeditated Symmetry Breaking at 2:02 PM on June 1, 2011

I like Kefir...The one I get from Lifeway comes in Strawberry and Raspberry. Very thick yogurty drink.
posted by AuntieRuth at 2:19 PM on June 1, 2011

Actually I would not worry about it--stay away from alcohol for at least 2-3 hours after breaking fast, eat a selection of the food available, graze lightly, drink water and be attentive to the bride and guests. Have a good time.
posted by rmhsinc at 2:22 PM on June 1, 2011 [1 favorite]

Don't go with energy drinks or anything with caffeine in it, unless you are *very* sure of how caffeine affects you! You could end up jittery and sweaty and stomache-achy, which is not what you want on your wedding day.

When I have to eat after not eating for a long time, I really like full-fat yogurt and peanut or almond butter. It sounds a little gross, but mixing a few big spoonfuls of almond butter into yogurt, and adding some sweetener (jam or honey) makes an easily digestible, tasty, and highly energetic way to break a fast.

Whatever you chose, you can't go wrong if it includes peanut butter or almond butter. It'll give you calories, fat, and protein, but in a very small volume so you won't feel full.
posted by yarly at 2:29 PM on June 1, 2011

Peanut butter spread on apple slices with a big glass of milk. Yum!
posted by I'm Brian and so's my wife! at 2:37 PM on June 1, 2011

Just some additional stuff:

The Jewish calendar has 6* fast days. I'm used to that… I've never had to run around afterward, though.

Alcohol is kinda verboten for the groom.

I'm a huge fan of all things PB. PBJ sandwich / PB+apple are among my faves. Dairy is out, so no milk.

The groom has aides as well.

Any other
*again, YMMV
posted by mhz at 2:54 PM on June 1, 2011