Help with a fasting question?

[ladybird64]

I'm lazy and just can't be bothered to plough through loads of info about all the different types of fasting, windows for eating etc - I find it all confusing. Had a look online and it was worse!

So..I'm interested in the idea of a 24 hr fast, one day a week, maybe 2. Eating an evening meal about 6/7pm, then no more food until the same time the next day. Although I'm trying to lose a bit of weight, my bg's are good and this is more to do with giving my digestive system a rest for a little while. I seem to see all different variations on what should be taken during a fast -is milk allowed (tea, coffee etc) or is it off limits? Things like veg bouillon or Bovril? I'm guessing that I should be drinking plenty..

Any pointers from anyone in the know would be appreciated please

 

[Lamont D]

I'm lazy and just can't be bothered to plough through loads of info about all the different types of fasting, windows for eating etc - I find it all confusing. Had a look online and it was worse!

So..I'm interested in the idea of a 24 hr fast, one day a week, maybe 2. Eating an evening meal about 6/7pm, then no more food until the same time the next day. Although I'm trying to lose a bit of weight, my bg's are good and this is more to do with giving my digestive system a rest for a little while. I seem to see all different variations on what should be taken during a fast -is milk allowed (tea, coffee etc) or is it off limits? Things like veg bouillon or Bovril? I'm guessing that I should be drinking plenty..

Any pointers from anyone in the know would be appreciated please

I fast once a week and I just drink black tea all day.
My fasting day lasts until the following morning so mine is roughly 36 hours.
My endocrinologists recommends 12 hour fasting!
Haven't tried it yet!

 

[AndBreathe]

I'm lazy and just can't be bothered to plough through loads of info about all the different types of fasting, windows for eating etc - I find it all confusing. Had a look online and it was worse!

So..I'm interested in the idea of a 24 hr fast, one day a week, maybe 2. Eating an evening meal about 6/7pm, then no more food until the same time the next day. Although I'm trying to lose a bit of weight, my bg's are good and this is more to do with giving my digestive system a rest for a little while. I seem to see all different variations on what should be taken during a fast -is milk allowed (tea, coffee etc) or is it off limits? Things like veg bouillon or Bovril? I'm guessing that I should be drinking plenty..

Any pointers from anyone in the know would be appreciated please

May take on it is its up to you how extreme you choose to make your fast. Some people categorise a fast as zero nutrition in the fasting window, whereas some say a modest number of calories, which is effectively fasting.

As I can't seem any information on your current health or any medication you might be taking, I would just add a caveat to say, you should take those into account in any decisions you make. By that I mean, if you are, for example, taking insulin or similar drugs, the taking your usual insulin alongside a fasting regime could possibly return unwanted results.

 

[lizdeluz]

There's bitesized and clear advice on fasting on www.dietdoctor.com.

 

[AloeSvea]

I'm lazy and just can't be bothered to plough through loads of info about all the different types of fasting, windows for eating etc - I find it all confusing. Had a look online and it was worse!

So..I'm interested in the idea of a 24 hr fast, one day a week, maybe 2. Eating an evening meal about 6/7pm, then no more food until the same time the next day. Although I'm trying to lose a bit of weight, my bg's are good and this is more to do with giving my digestive system a rest for a little while. I seem to see all different variations on what should be taken during a fast -is milk allowed (tea, coffee etc) or is it off limits? Things like veg bouillon or Bovril? I'm guessing that I should be drinking plenty..

Any pointers from anyone in the know would be appreciated please

One day a week is certainly very do-able.

I have heard the fasting-for-diabetics-guru Jason Fung, I think it was, suggest bone broth for longer fasts (eg over four days), as it is something to do with losing salts - and bone broth is the super-duper healthy version of bovril or veg bouillon. So if boiling bones isn't your bag - bovril and bouillon sounds the ticket.

Yeah - you make your fast whatever you want! You know your body best - if you want milk as your liquid then you go for it. Especially as your goal is to give your digestion a rest, you would still be largely doing that.

If you are having digestion issues, I would say though, that there are two main culprits for digestion issues - one is grains (and legumes), the other is milk. You would indeed get a chance to see what happens to your digestion if you take milk out of the equation even if it was just for a day - it's still good to compare. Fermented milk (sour cream, cream, cottage cheese, camembert and brie, hard cheese, yoghurt) is easier tolerated apparently, as the lactose (and the cassein?) (ie the problem elements) are hugely lessened in those dairy products. But of course - this only applies if milk has been giving you problems.

 

[ladybird64]

T

One day a week is certainly very do-able.

I have heard the fasting-for-diabetics-guru Jason Fung, I think it was, suggest bone broth for longer fasts (eg over four days), as it is something to do with losing salts - and bone broth is the super-duper healthy version of bovril or veg bouillon. So if boiling bones isn't your bag - bovril and bouillon sounds the ticket.

Yeah - you make your fast whatever you want! You know your body best - if you want milk as your liquid then you go for it. Especially as your goal is to give your digestion a rest, you would still be largely doing that.

If you are having digestion issues, I would say though, that there are two main culprits for digestion issues - one is grains (and legumes), the other is milk. You would indeed get a chance to see what happens to your digestion if you take milk out of the equation even if it was just for a day - it's still good to compare. Fermented milk (sour cream, cream, cottage cheese, camembert and brie, hard cheese, yoghurt) is easier tolerated apparently, as the lactose (and the cassein?) (ie the problem elements) are hugely lessened in those dairy products. But of course - this only applies if milk has been giving you problems.

Thanks AS, I appreciate your input. It's a bit more complicated in my case as I have long term bowel issues caused by my Cancer last year so it's not actually something that changing/eliminating certain foodstuffs will sort out.
I do think that a general "rest" from food, just for 24hrs is useful, although I have taken coffee with cream! I take certain Meds that really aren't good on an empty stomach so the cream puts a lining on it - plus it stops hunger pangs lol. I do like Bovril and may have a shot on boiling bones with a bit of veg for flavour, then straining it - good idea, thanks