There are many different types of fasting from juice fasts to water fasting. Some include smoothies, some include only one type of fruit but what I choose to do is the water fast. On the water fast you are supposed to only consume water and herbal teas. But I also included some coconut water without feeling like a cheat.. (it’s got water in the name?)
Many scientific studies say including a 24 hour fast, once a week is very beneficial to humans wellbeing. So I have decided to take the middle ground and do at the most 48 hour worth of fasting a month.
Right now I can hear most of you thinking that a whole day without food is impossible but no you’re not going to starve yourself by not consuming food for this amount of time.
In fact I am slowly making my way up to 36 hours and hopefully 72 hours but with healing you don’t want to rush as this can do more harm than good. You can end up putting the body into more shock which in tune rises cortisol and inflammation. You don’t want this..
So start with 24 hours and attempt this timeframe a few times before going up to perhaps 36 hours?
Also a hack to making this easier is to not start your fast in the morning. Start after dinner the night before while also giving 2 hours for this meal to digest properly. I usually eat around 5pm so by proxy at 6.30pm – 7pm my food is digested. This means I can have a late dinner the next day and most of the hours are spent asleep. You can then daydream about what you’re going to consume without it seeming like a ridiculous wait and this helps surprisingly legions with your willpower.
During your fast, curb your hunger pangs by drinking lots of water and herbal teas. The warmth of a tea greatly helps as it’s soothing and almost feels like a meal as the day goes on.
Finally when you break the fast, the healing doesn’t stop there. You want to do this gently so I recommend having a smoothie or a few pieces of fruit. Or heck, why not combine them both and make a smoothie bowl. I find that a small amount of fruit fills my stomach but within an hour I need a bigger meal, usually with easy to digest grains like rice or quinoa with some steamed vegetables.
This is all fine and dandy when it’s all written to you by a blogger enjoying a big pack of hand cooked black pepper and sea salt crisps 2 days after her fast. But what is your why?
I can’t decide that for you but I can tell you why you should not Fast;
Are you doing it to lose weight from an unhealthy perspective on food?
Are you diabetic?
Do you think you’ll end up reaching spiritual enlightenment through the mighty ego saying “look how much better I am than you”?
Then stop what you’re doing and start eating intuitively.
I still can’t decide for you but I can tell you why I want to start doing this regularly;
Allow my body to fight disease
Reverse my PCOS Symptoms, reverse insulin resistance and create hormonal balance while also reducing the inflammation in my body, from said PCOS.
Reset my diet and cravings while also letting my colon rest and hopefully stop my IBS.
Basically If you have any problems with your mindset around food or health problems I recommend checking with a health specialist before conducting a fast on your own!
Earthly Luna Wellbeing 