Practice · Updated Oct 10, 2026 · 5 min read
I slipped during a fast. What now?
A few bites end the fast that was running. The hours already counted stay. You can start again after eating, or eat as you normally would. Vomiting is a reason to stop and get help if it continues.
Questions from the community · Part 7 of 7 · Fasting Library
People ask what to do after eating something partway through a fast, and whether it ruined the fast.
A few bites end this fast
A few bites of food end the fast that was running. The hours already on the clock remain the time you spent without food.
Press End Fast so the record matches what happened. You can start the clock again after you finish eating, or you can leave it off and eat the way you would on an ordinary day. The next fast can stay the length you already use.
What the first meal looks like, when you meant to stop, is in Breaking a fast gently.
Being sick is a reason to stop
If you vomit during a fast, stop the fast. If it keeps happening, or you feel unwell, see a doctor. The wider list of reasons to stop is in When to stop a fast.
Sip fluids. The NHS page on diarrhoea and vomiting says to take small sips if you feel sick. Get urgent help if you keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down, or if vomiting goes on for more than 2 days. Get emergency help if you vomit blood or the vomit looks like ground coffee, if an adult has green vomit, if you have a sudden severe tummy ache, or if you are confused or not responding as usual.
Panic, or a wish to make up for the bites
Eating something you had not planned can leave you in a panic, or wanting to make yourself sick, exercise much more, or go much longer without food, to make up for it.
If that is how a slip feels, you are not the only one, and it is worth telling someone.
The NHS page on eating disorders lists symptoms that include making yourself sick or taking laxatives after you eat, exercising too much, eating very little food, very strict habits or routines around food, and changes in mood such as feeling anxious. It says that if you think you may have an eating disorder, see a GP.
The NICE page for the public on guideline NG69 lists making yourself vomit after meals, exercising too much, limiting your food in a way that worries you or the people around you, and a change in your mood.
If this sounds familiar, talk to a doctor or an eating disorder support service where you live. If food already carries shame or rigid rules, read Who should be careful with fasting. That page lists who should not fast unsupervised.
Key takeaways
- A few bites end the fast that was running. The hours already on the clock remain the time you spent without food.
- Press End Fast so the record matches what happened. You can start the clock again after you finish eating, or eat as you would on an ordinary day. The next fast can stay the length you already use.
- If you vomit during a fast, stop the fast. Sip fluids. If it keeps happening, or you feel unwell, see a doctor. Urgent help is for when you keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down, or vomiting goes on for more than 2 days. Blood in the vomit, vomit that looks like ground coffee, green vomit in an adult, a sudden severe tummy ache, or confusion needs emergency help.
- If a slip leaves you in a panic, or wanting to make yourself sick, exercise much more, or go much longer without food, you are not the only one, and it is worth telling someone.
- The NHS page lists making yourself sick, exercising too much, eating very little, very strict routines around food, and mood changes such as feeling anxious. The NICE public page on NG69 lists making yourself vomit, exercising too much, limiting food, and a change in your mood. If this sounds familiar, talk to a doctor or an eating disorder support service where you live.
Educational only. Not medical advice. See our disclaimer.