I'm having surgery in my pelvic/abdominal area on Friday, and since my doctor is expecting some bowel involvement, he is putting me on a clear fluid diet as of Thursday morning. I'm going to be STARVING by surgery time (noon Friday). [more inside]
posted by happy scrappy on Aug 31, 2009 - 23 answers

I'm a chubby guy with a chronic sweet tooth, and a problem with overeating. Will fasting actually do anything for me? [more inside]
posted by SansPoint on Jul 14, 2009 - 31 answers

I've had some success fasting. Initially this was for weight-loss but I also felt much better -- more energy, and my sinus problems went away. The trouble is that it's hard to do well. Do you know of any good books or web resources that explain fasting techniques? I'm not interested in "detox", whatever that is, and this seems to pollute web searches making it hard to find genuinely useful information. For me, this is more of an overall wellness thing.
posted by humblepigeon on Jun 13, 2009 - 9 answers

How much should I eat in the days prior to fasting for a colonoscopy? My procedure is 2:00PM Tuesday (groan) so I'm being told "no solid foods after midnight Sunday night." I'm dreading working all day Monday with no food and then having to go all morning/early afternoon Tuesday. Does anyone know if it will help reduce the hunger if I gorge on Saturday and Sunday, and whether or not there are reasons not to do so. [more inside]
posted by robverb on Mar 6, 2009 - 17 answers

Fasting, metabolism, and weight loss? [more inside]
posted by paradoxflow on Oct 4, 2008 - 11 answers

RamadanFilter: I'm fasting and I need to know what to eat so I'm not ravenous and faint by the sunset. [more inside]
posted by reenum on Sep 8, 2008 - 12 answers

I'm going to be fasting for Ramadan for the first time. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by parkbench on Aug 31, 2008 - 18 answers

I would like to detoxify myself. How do I go about it? [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras on Aug 29, 2008 - 39 answers

Please help me determine whether I can, in a healthy manner, temporarily reduce my percentage body fat or water weight for a big event. [more inside]
posted by sequential on Jul 23, 2007 - 16 answers

Starting Optifast today (Medically supervised [yes, a real doctor] fast). Can anyone give me any tips on this huge endeavor? I think this might be the hardest thing I've ever set out to do... [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2007 - 15 answers

Diet recommendation for fasting? [more inside]
posted by raheel on Sep 25, 2006 - 6 answers

Any tips for a seven-day fast? [more inside]
posted by hermitosis on Apr 13, 2006 - 18 answers

"Within 24 hours of curtailing food intake, enzymes stop entering the stomach and travel instead into the intestines and into the bloodstream, where they circulate and gobble up all sorts of waste matter, including dead and damaged cells, unwelcome microbes, metabolic wastes, and pollutants." [cite] Could this possibly be true? I know that eventually the body will start metabolizing itself, but is the process selective in its initial stages to only metabolize "waste matter" and not healthy tissue?
posted by Asef Jil on Oct 3, 2005 - 19 answers

Fasting. I'm healthy and have a normal weight, but I've been overindulging lately and thought of trying a two day fast. Can you juice fast without a juicer? What about just eating nothing but fruits, veggies, and water for a few days? I'm not considering it for spiritual reasons either, I just feel gross. Any experiences or advice?
posted by rainbaby on Jun 24, 2004 - 22 answers