On Fasting: Why Should We Fast?

It’s Lent again, the time of year when we have the opportunity to fast from a certain food or food group. As with most fasting periods, it originates from religious tradition—in particular, the Christian belief that we should show sacrifice and test our self-discipline in the time leading up to Easter (when Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice). The Bible tells the story of Jesus spending 40 days and nights fasting in the desert. Thankfully, we don’t have to be as extreme as this first fast was for Jesus.

Why should we fast?

Our bodies are much better equipped to deal with times of food restriction (fasting) rather than times of food excess (abundance, feasting). These days, we live in abundance continuously, which is unprecedented in human history. While historically humans have always strived to have “enough”, never before have we been able to simply visit a supermarket and choose any food we desire, such as fresh fruit imported from across the world, or unlimited quantities of sugar and alcohol.

This abundance places constant strain on our bodies from excess sugar, alcohol, carbs, and fats. It can lead to degenerative diseases that are increasingly prevalent in society today, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.

Fasting essentially means restraining yourself from eating for certain periods. This intermittent fasting helps cleanse your body and can open a path to rejuvenation. Fasting helps our bodies become more in tune with their internal processes. It encourages the release of stored fat and the waste contained within it, which is why fasting is commonly regarded as a “detox”. Your organs cleanse themselves more effectively when they’re not continuously busy digesting and processing food. Thus, fasting can lead to regeneration and better health.

Given the constant feast we experience daily, fasting can offer significant benefits when practiced annually, such as during Lent’s 40-day period.

How do I fast?

While demanding willpower and self-discipline, Lent actually offers flexibility in how and what to fast from. Traditionally, people give up chocolate, sweets, alcohol, crisps, or other favourite foods during Lent. That’s a good starting point.

You can also use Lent to establish new eating habits by incorporating regular fasting periods—known as intermittent fasting.

For example, the “8/16 Fast” involves restricting eating to certain hours of the day (such as 10 am to 6 pm), which means fasting between 6 pm and 10 am (overnight). This daily routine can help balance blood sugars, reduce late-night snacking, and support weight loss.

The “5:2 Rule” allows you to eat normally for five days of the week but restrict your diet on two non-consecutive days (usually by eating healthily or calorie counting). This approach lets you relax dietary restrictions on weekends.

A “Weekly or Monthly Fasting Day” is another popular option, where many people restrict food intake completely for 24 hours once a week, fortnightly, or monthly. They discover their bodies benefit greatly from a full day of fasting, drinking only water, herbal teas, and broth instead of consuming solid food.

What to expect when you start fasting

If you fast from a particular food group during Lent, expect cravings for that food group in the first few days. This is where self-discipline comes into play. If restricting eating periods (such as extending overnight fasting), you might initially feel hungry or irritable as your body adjusts. You might also experience light-headedness or hunger. Drinking plenty of water and herbal teas will help.

If you choose to fast for an entire day, expect possible headaches, dizziness, or feelings of weakness during the fasting period. A note of caution: engage in radical fasting only if you do not suffer from existing health conditions—especially diabetes—as this can be dangerous. Always speak to your doctor first.