diff --git a/frontend/app/api/backend/[...path]/route.ts b/frontend/app/api/backend/[...path]/route.ts
index f53ab8d..b2955ac 100644
--- a/frontend/app/api/backend/[...path]/route.ts
+++ b/frontend/app/api/backend/[...path]/route.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
 
 export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
 
-const UPSTREAM_TIMEOUT_MS = 18_000;
+const DEFAULT_UPSTREAM_TIMEOUT_MS = 18_000;
+const HEALTH_UPSTREAM_TIMEOUT_MS = 70_000;
 
 const ROUTE_METHODS: Array<{ pattern: RegExp; methods: Set<string> }> = [
   { pattern: /^health$/, methods: new Set(["GET"]) },
@@ -88,7 +89,13 @@ async function proxyRequest(request: NextRequest, context: RouteContext) {
   }
 
   const controller = new AbortController();
-  const timeoutId = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), UPSTREAM_TIMEOUT_MS);
+  // A sleeping Render backend can need well over the ordinary request timeout
+  // before its health endpoint answers. Keep only this readiness probe alive
+  // long enough to wake it; normal application requests retain the tighter
+  // timeout after readiness has been established.
+  const upstreamTimeoutMs =
+    path === "health" ? HEALTH_UPSTREAM_TIMEOUT_MS : DEFAULT_UPSTREAM_TIMEOUT_MS;
+  const timeoutId = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), upstreamTimeoutMs);
 
   try {
     const body = ["GET", "HEAD"].includes(request.method)
diff --git a/frontend/components/FoodSearchPlaceholder.tsx b/frontend/components/FoodSearchPlaceholder.tsx
index 0f30ca8..690784e 100644
--- a/frontend/components/FoodSearchPlaceholder.tsx
+++ b/frontend/components/FoodSearchPlaceholder.tsx
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ export function FoodSearchPlaceholder() {
     setError(null);
     setDidSearch(true);
     setSearchStatus(
-      "Connecting to the food service. The first search can take up to a minute while it starts."
+      "Connecting to the food service. After inactivity, startup can take up to 90 seconds."
     );
 
     try {
diff --git a/frontend/components/XamanLoginPanel.tsx b/frontend/components/XamanLoginPanel.tsx
index 9bffb75..9a9a237 100644
--- a/frontend/components/XamanLoginPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/components/XamanLoginPanel.tsx
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ export function XamanLoginPanel() {
     setError(null);
     setIsLoading(true);
     setLoginStatus(
-      "Connecting securely. On the first visit, the service can take up to a minute to start."
+      "Connecting securely. After inactivity, startup can take up to 90 seconds."
     );
 
     try {
diff --git a/frontend/lib/backendRequest.ts b/frontend/lib/backendRequest.ts
index 11d6cfe..bdedf69 100644
--- a/frontend/lib/backendRequest.ts
+++ b/frontend/lib/backendRequest.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 export const DEFAULT_BACKEND_TIMEOUT_MS = 20_000;
-export const DEFAULT_BACKEND_WARMUP_TIMEOUT_MS = 65_000;
+export const DEFAULT_BACKEND_WARMUP_TIMEOUT_MS = 90_000;
 
-const BACKEND_WARMUP_ATTEMPT_TIMEOUT_MS = 12_000;
+const BACKEND_WARMUP_ATTEMPT_TIMEOUT_MS = 70_000;
 const BACKEND_WARMUP_RETRY_DELAY_MS = 2_000;
 
 export class BackendRequestTimeoutError extends Error {