A long tradition
People have been fasting for centuries, and for good reason: after just one day, the liver draws on the body's fat reserves for energy. The same applies if you consume less than 500 calories in 24 hours. It is not necessary to go on a zero-calorie diet, nor should you do so - otherwise your muscles will break down very quickly. That's why you should read our fasting tips first.
Many advantages
The biggest advantage is that you change your eating habits. Unfortunately, these are not always very healthy... After fasting, many things taste different or no longer taste good at all: fatty meat and sweets, for example, while vegetables are suddenly all the rage. Giving up and realizing that you don't have to eat everywhere and all the time can awaken a new awareness of nutrition.
Not suitable for everyone
Anyone who tends to be underweight, suffers or has suffered from eating disorders is better off not fasting. Experts advise fasting for five to seven days - the Christian 40 days should only be undertaken in a clinic if you are very overweight. Healthy people usually fast for five to seven days, while medical fasting lasts seven to ten days. However, you should always speak to a doctor beforehand. By the way: This year's fasting campaign by the Protestant church has the motto "Show yourself! Seven weeks without pinching yourself!"
There are these types:
INTERMITTENT FASTING
You take longer breaks from eating, for example 16 hours including a night's rest. Or you regularly skip a meal. Or you eat nothing at all for one or two days.
BASIC FASTING
This involves eating nothing but fruit, vegetables, sprouted seeds and herbs for one to two weeks.
BUCHINGER
This is a pure drinking cure with vegetable broth, juices and teas. The Buchinger fasting cure has been used for over 80 years.
WHEY FASTING
Five large glasses of whey a day (approx. 1 liter). A tablespoon of fruit juice can be mixed into each glass. However, you should avoid this if your purine levels are too high.
FRUIT FASTING
Fruit fasting involves eating fresh fruit or very briefly steamed vegetables three to five times a day. This cure is a combination of therapeutic fasting and the fruit day.
SAFT FASTING
Good for individual fasting days or a short cure: a glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice and water several times a day.