Psychological benefits of fasting?

[MTCee]

I just wondered if anyone out there had noticed any psychological benefits after following a fasting plan for any length of time.

I usually skip breakfast one day and both breakfast and lunch the next day, but it's not written in stone. It seems to work for me and besides feeling a lot healthier and fitter, and losing a lot of excess weight, Ive noticed the following,

🙂 I don't fear hunger so much like I used to. So there's no temptation to snack just to "make sure" I don't get hungry between meals.

🙂 I appreciate food more. Things seem to taste better.

🙂 I'm not afraid of high fat foods anymore. In the bad old days, when I followed the low fat calorie counting approach, certain foods, even healthy ones like avocados and cheese had always to be avoided and consequently I never felt able to enjoy them even as an occasional treat. Now I enjoy them freely.

🙂 my body seems to better understand its nutritional needs now.

There might be lots of other benefits, that others have noticed.

[Stoozie Administrator]

Hi, great idea for a post, and I like your examples.

I began my fasting because someone I admire said in a talk 'If you weren't thinking about and prepping food, what else could you do with your brain?' Which I found an interesting challenge. The physical benefits then kept me going.

Psychologically-speaking I find I get reduced anxiety and better sleep, with all the benefits to mood that brings.

I also feel more self-esteem because I feel my appetite is under my control, rather than it controlling me.

I also like knowing I can run for nearly 3 hrs, 16 hrs into a fast with neither thirst or hunger being an issue. It makes me feel powerful.

Looking forward to others' responses also

[MTCee in reply to Stoozie]

Yes! When you're not thinking about prepping food or eating and digesting meals, you feel free to do other things with your time. You can be more productive rather than less. I tend to plan ahead so that an evening meal is already made and I simply don't have to think about it. No food anxiety 😊

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

Hi, MTCee , Welcome.

I am gluten intolerant.

"🙂 I don't fear hunger so much like I used to. So there's no temptation to snack just to "make sure" I don't get hungry between meals."

I think that there is a straight-forward biochemical explanation for this, but that would not stop us getting psychological benefits.

You might be interested in:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

Day one seems to be mainly psychology... four hours of it if you are interested! There is a Gluten book you can download for free!

[MTCee in reply to S11m]

Thanks for that link S11m. I'll definitely have a look at it. I'm gluten intolerant too and that can add to the need to think and plan for what I'm going to make or eat. Neither my husband, son or daughter share these problems so if they are having gluten laden meals I have to take great that the food prep areas are cleaned well afterwards. We don't have enough space in our kitchen to have separate prep areas. It can add to my anxiety levels. But on fast days I don't have to worry about any of that so its a double relief.

[Vale57]

I would agree with all you said, plus, after being a little way from perfect for three weeks ... OKAY ... not being on the LCHF path at all .... I feel so much better now that I am back to doing it.

[MTCee in reply to Vale57]

😂 yes, if you feel you've strayed from the path for a bit, you can get to feel all virtuous again after a fast. It's like a reset button. It calms the mind and the body.

[Ascelus IF18]

Hi MeTeeCee

Before I started the Fasting regime I would eat anything,meals,snacks between meals and don't mention the coffee breaks with cake and or biscuits.

I also now do not feel hungry and can resist all temptations.

I do not snack at all.........but

The best thing of all is I no longer bite my nails to the point of making them bleed.

Perhaps it is all related bingeing and biting just hope I can keep it up. A week so far but seem to be enjoying it

May the Fast be with you

[MTCee in reply to Ascelus]

😌 and also with you.

Fasting definitely helps me truly decide when I'm hungry and when I'm not. It gives me a better handle on myself. I feel more in control of myself. Maybe you kicked the nail biting habit......well done by the way!....because your anxiety levels reduced?

Btw my snack temptation avoidance can wither dramatically if I decide to have a glass or two of wine in the evening 😋 But I don't stress about it, because I just fast until the following evening the next day to make up for it.

[Bumblebetty IF16]

I love not being addicted to bread and pasta anymore and I didn’t even realise I was. I still have them occasionally but they don’t even taste that good to me anymore - I would have sworn 6 months ago that it wasn’t possible. So heartening to know that I’m still capable of changing my food tastes.

[MTCee in reply to Bumblebetty]

I know what you mean. I experienced this after I had to go gluten free. But watching the bake off during bread week can still be sheer torture 😄