Although fasting may seem like a recent trend, the reality is that it has been practiced in one form or another for a very long time. Christian Lent, Jewish Passover, and Ramadan are just a few examples of this tradition.
Currently, experts recommend fasting in different ways, such as biochemist Valter Longo or physician Joseph Mercola, among others.
In addition, articles about fasting have appeared in the media, such as this one in El Confidencial , this one in El Diario , or this one in CuerpoMente .
Several members of our family fast. We do it in different ways, starting by always leaving 12 hours between the last meal of one day and the first of the next: basically, eating dinner early. We've also introduced longer fasts, usually 18 to 24 hours—once a week, or twice a month.
We hope these tips from 'veterans' of fasting will help you.
1. Before fasting, change your eating habits by consuming more healthy fats (nuts, avocados, vegetable oils) and fewer carbohydrates. This isn't about following a paleo diet, but rather about eating fewer carbohydrates and choosing higher-quality ones (whole grains). During fasting, the body uses fat instead of carbohydrates. If you regularly consume fewer carbohydrates, your body will already be doing this often, and you won't feel as hungry.
2- Start after a normal, not heavy, meal: skip dinner and start the next day with a healthy breakfast, or continue fasting until lunch, depending on how long you want to fast.
3- Don't stay still, but don't overdo it with exercise either: During the fasting hours that you are awake, keep busy - take a walk or tidy a closet and avoid activities that give you anxiety or the urge to eat.
4- If you get hungry—or you're cooking for your family—drink water or herbal tea, preferably caffeine-free. A bitter herbal tea, like dandelion, is satiating and stimulates the liver.
5- Take care of yourself: Take advantage of the fast to take care of yourself in other ways. Apply a face mask, brush and floss your teeth more mindfully, meditate or read for a while, and go to bed early. This will help you focus on the reason you're fasting, which we hope is to take better care of yourself.
If you decide to fast, be aware of your reasons for doing so—you won't lose weight quickly just by not eating for one day. Make sure you eat healthily on the other days, and finally, if you have any chronic illness or are taking medication, you must consult your doctor before starting a fast.