I want to share with you a weekly occurrence in our household- it’s called a “500 (calorie) day”. Fasting is an ancient tradition that has many health benefits, and with food available at every corner and in abundance (hello, supersize), it is good to at least consider giving your body a break from food. Don’t start assuming we’re all becoming anorexic- that is definitely not the case! Fasting doesn’t have to mean giving up all food completely. On my fasting days, I still eat normal food- I just limit to 500 calories. So, why would you want to give your body a break from the nutrients that keep it fueled? Here are some of the benefits:
-Weight loss/Maintain Goal Weight: This is obvious! When Chase and I were trying to cut back a few pounds, we fasted twice a week (but never back to back) and the rest of the week ate and exercised like normal. Now while I maintain the current weight I am at, I only fast one day a week.
-Detox: When there isn’t food for the body to digest, enzymes can focus on toxins that are released.
-Regulate insulin levels as well as hormones like ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”)
-Decrease trigyclerides
A typical fasting day for me includes the following menu:
Breakfast- Cottage cheese, 1/2 c (110 calories)
French Press, 2 cups (4 calories)
Lunch- V8 juice, 5.5 ounce can (30 calories)
Mini Babybel Original Semisoft Cheese (70 calories)
Carrots and Sugar Snap Peas, 3 ounces (35 calories)
Snack- Apple (80 calories)
Dinner- Dutch Chocolate Protein Usana Shake, 1 scoop (80 calories)
Cocoa, 1 T, (20 calories) **I mix water with the cocoa and protein powder and heat it up like hot chocolate)
Pickled Asparagus Spears, 5 spears (10 calories)
Kiwi (42 calories)
Total Calories: 481
Throughout the day, I aim to drink around one gallon of water to help with the detox process and also to curb hunger. For me, I have realized I drink coffee on normal days not only because I like the taste but also because I enjoy sipping on something hot- so to help my water intake, I sip it hot! Sometimes I add herbal tea or lemon.
Additional readings and sources:
Fasting Benefits
Intermittent Fasting Longevity
A Lab Study is Being Conducted
Exerising when Fasting
Would you ever try fasting? Or do you have a different method to detox? I would love to hear your thoughts below!