Types of Fasting

Fasting can be defined as the withdrawal of food and/or drink from the body. Many people may think that fasting is an unhealthy act of starving oneself by withholding food and drink. On the contrary, if done correctly and with care, fasting can be great for your body's digestive system, nervous system and for your mind.

A good fasting routine can improve your sleep, keep your weight down, reduce stress and anxiety and make your body more efficient.

In this post, I will go over the different types of fasting that you can use to promote good health and digestion.

Purpose of fasting

This depends on what the goals of your fasting are.  If it is digestion related (detoxing, better digestion), then you may just be fasting for 1-2 meals.  If you are on a meditative spa retreat and need to fast for clarity, then perhaps you will do it more.  Some folks, fast while on various eating regimens to burn additional calories. (for example, no food or drink after dinner)

Frequency of fasting

How many times you fast also depend on why you are doing it and how your body takes to it.  My parents who are optimal health seekers have been fasting on Mondays for many decades now and find it helpful to cleanse out their bodies from weekend eating.  They are in their seventies now and they are simply used to not consuming any food on Mondays.  Instead, they have fruit juices and broths. 

Personally, I do not frequently fast for the entire day.  Instead, I will fast for the first meal and then resume my normal eating or eating lightly.  I’ve listed the types of fasting that I’m familiar with. Although, many diets use fasting as a means for regular weight loss, I think that fasting can be used safely as a tool to optimize your health.

Types of fasting

No food-no liquids

This should only be undertaken if you can handle it.  I personally don’t do this because it makes me very weak.  No food-no drink fasting should be done on a day when you have minimal activity.

No food-just water (or tea)

I may do this fast once a year in my yoga practice.  This fast made me feel too weak so I stopped doing this regularly.

No food-juices, water (or tea)

I do this for a day after a holiday weekend, usually Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  I take well to this one because it’s holiday time and I have a few days off to rest.  It also comes at a time when I’ve eaten plenty and am carrying a few extra pounds.

No food-juice, broths, water (or tea)

I use this one if I want to “fast” through a meal.  Sometimes, I use this to fast through two meals depending on how I feel with it.  I awake by drinking a cup of room temperature filtered water.  I would then fast through my breakfast by sipping on 1-2 cups of black tea that promote digestion.  By lunchtime, I have a small bowl of chicken or beef broth with scallions.  I find broth really nourishing and quite filling.  Late afternoon is another bowl of broth perhaps with greens to give it some substance followed by a normal meal to cap off the day.

Light food-juices, water (or tea)

This is one of my favorites as it is easy to do after a weekend of heavy eating. This type of fasting involves eating no solid foot but instead eating mainly "liquid foods" such as smoothies and soups. 

Religious fasting

In this type of fasting, you usually vow to give up a food during a certain time such as Lent season in Protestant-based religions.  I grew up fasting from all sweets (chocolate, cakes, pies) during Lent season and then when Easter came, I would have the biggest chocolate bar and piece of cake that I could find.

This article briefly summarized the types of fasting that you can use to promote good health and digestion. Be sure to read my article on how to overcome overeating to see how fasting can help.