to admire religious fasting for its discipline and commitment?

[catchingup1]

I’ve been thinking about this lately, especially with Ramadan just gone and the dry fasting of 24 hours by Jews and Mormons.

I can't help feeling impressed. Not in a gushy way, just genuinely. Going without food and water for long periods, while still getting on with normal life, work, family etc takes a level of willpower and discipline that I don’t think most people have.

It’s not even just the physical side. It’s the restraint, the routine, the intention behind it. The fact that people are doing it for something bigger than themselves, not just for a diet or health trend.

It's not just people who’ve grown up with it. There are converts every year across different religions who are doing these fasts for the first time as adults. They haven’t had years to “get used to it” and are choosing to take it on anyway. It’s a conscious decision, not just habit.

Even for people who have done it since childhood, plenty still find it challenging every year. It’s not like it becomes effortless, they’re still choosing to stick to it day after day.

Then you read so much now about people struggling with “food noise”, constantly thinking about what to eat next, cravings, snacking, not being able to switch off from it. So the idea of deliberately stepping away from all of that, even for a set period and managing your impulses like that. It does make me respect it.

I’m not saying it makes anyone better than anyone else, just that I admire the self control, discipline and commitment involved.

I came across this about the benefits of dry fasting:

www.bcm.edu/news/dawn-to-dusk-dry-fasting-leads-to-health-benefits-in-the-study-of-immune-cells

The research shows many health benefits. It is not an unhealthy practice at all.

In no post did I say all forms of fasting are inherently harmful. It can, however, increase the risks and be a trigger.

Therefore a structured time-limited fast where people eat daily and maintain nutrition can lead to ED in those susceptible to ED. That doesn’t mean to say it will in all people. Anecdotally, I have already explained that I can eat OMAD and be absolutely fine, whereas my dd must never do this even if she maintains the same level of nutrition as if she were eating throughout the day. She needs to eat at least 6 times a day.

For those people vulnerable to eating disorders, yes, fasting of any kind might not be appropriate. Might not be is wildly inaccurate. Instances of ED increase after fasting.

I didn’t state fasting is universally unhealthy. What I object to is the bold statements that fasting is universally health when it isn’t.

That sounds fabulous.

That's how it should be.

There might be health benefits, but it's not true to say that it's 'not an unhealthy practice at all'. There are definite downsides.

https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritional-information/hydration/

https://www.waterh.com/en-uk/blogs/news/what-happens-to-your-body-hour-by-hour-without-water

https://www.henryford.com/blog/2020/05/side-effects-of-not-drinking-water

It is also miserable for many people.

I think it’s sad that so many people are brainwashed tbh

If you want to live your live brainwashed by religion, then be my guest. It's not hard to find information about the problems.

I live in a Muslim country (I’m an atheist) & have fasted for Ramadan for over a decade now.

After last year I just kept going all year as far as food is concerned - evening meal, piece of fruit just before sunrise. I do have water & coffee during the day.

I’ve lost over 4 stone 😂. (Yes, I’m on WLI).

Tbh, for all the years I’ve fasted for Ramadan, I’ve felt it’s a really good re-set. No one expects you to join in as a non-Muslim, but once they notice, you get invited to all the best iftars…it’s a really special month.

Not so much in a country where fasters are a minority & other people get annoyed by them being tired, grumpy etc, maybe, but where pretty much everyone is fasting, AND making a superhuman effort to cut each other some slack, it’s a lovely, gentle paced, thoughtful time.

Ahh, so now we are reducing science to “a quick google” are we?

Cochrane has looked at all the dry fasting studies and concluded there are no health benefits whatsoever, particularly when done over a short period. It also reports high levels of negative effects, and that it must be avoided by people with particular health concerns.

I’m all for adults making a choice but I disagree entirely with children taking part. My daughter’s friend has been fasting since she was 13 and the impact on her school day is quite severe. Right now they are studying for exams and she lacks the concentration she needs and has headaches every day.

Saying instances of ED increase after fasting makes it sound like fasting itself is causing it across the board which there is no evidence for.

There are loads of factors behind eating disorders, psychological, social, environmental. You can’t isolate fasting and treat it like the driver.

Also, most people don’t fast at all, and if fasting was a key driver of ED one would expect the highest rates in populations where fasting is common. That’s not what we see. In fact, in places where fasting isn’t part of everyday life, you’re still seeing high levels of disordered eating and obesity. That alone tells you it’s not as simple as fasting = more ED.

Not all fasting is the same. Religious fasting is structured, time limited, and followed by normal eating. That’s very different from ongoing restriction or weight focused behaviours that are more closely linked to ED patterns.

For some individuals it might not be appropriate absolutely. But presenting it as though fasting leads to increased ED instances is unproven.

It is also not miserable for many people.

By consistent research in peer reviewed journals? That makes sense to me.

Where is that Cochrane review?

Cochrane reviewed intermittent fasting for weight loss, not all dry fasting studies, and found little evidence of a meaningful weight loss advantage. That is very different from saying Cochrane concluded dry fasting has no health benefits whatsoever.

You don't even back up what you say 😂

None of these quote research in peer reviewed journals unlike the beneficial effects of dry fasting.

That actually sounds really nice, to be honest.

You’ve taken what works and made it your own and 4 stone is no small thing at all. Well done 👏

I'm not your servant. Presumably you can operate a search engine. I'm not dogmatically trying to convince you of anything, unlike yourself and whatever weird agenda you are pushing here.

The fact is, ramadam is used as one of many means of oppression in strict muslim countries. If you think that's fine, then crack on.

Why would anyone do that? It's outrageous that a workplace does something like this. Do they do something similar for Lent?

Yes especially as they are the ones expected to prepare the Iftar!

Yes

You say I quote dubious links when I provide evidence even when I have provided numerous evidence from peer reviewed journals.

At least I back up what I say with scientific journals.

You are best ignored.

Why is it outrageous? We are told about Lent in my workplace every year and invited to take part.

It is voluntary not compulsory.

I agree. The workplace is for working, not promoting religion. It would be equally inappropriate if it was Lent.

We can participate in religious observance if we want to without having our employer pushing it.

Says it all, really. Just another religious zealot blind to the harm it causes.

How are the employers pushing it? Nobody is being forced to participate or take part. Those who want to take part do and those who do not ignore it. It is not written into our contracts that we must participate.

People often take part because fasting has proven health benefits and they often feel better for doing it.