Top 10 Types Of Fasting
There are various types of fasting that are done by people all around the world for many different reasons. A fast is willingly abstaining from food, drink and even sex, depending on the fast, for a designated period of time. People fast for different reasons including religious beliefs, weight control, detoxifying benefits or their own personal satisfaction. Regardless of which types of fasting method you may be taking part in, there could be positive and negative effects so if you have health concerns, it is always a good idea to consult your physician first and follow through with your fast under their care.
- Juice Fast – This is a detox diet in which you would only consume juices made from fruits and vegetables. When these foods are turned into juice they are digested quickly. Reasons for this fast could be to lose weight, religious beliefs or to wean yourself away from unhealthy habits and start over fresh.
- Daniel Fast – When looking at types of fasting, this one is strictly spiritual and performed to honor God. It is based on the fast that occurred from the Book of Daniel. The Daniel Fast is generally carried out in January for three weeks where only water, vegetables, fruits and legumes are consumed.
- Black Fast – This is a severe type of Catholic fasting. The Black Fast is undertaken during Lent. Only one meal is permitted per day and it is not allowed after sunset. Meat, eggs, cheese, butter and milk are refrained from and alcohol is forbidden. During Holy Week, only bread, herbs, salt and water are consumed.
- Fast Day – Of all of the types of fasting, this is the shortest one and is followed through for only one day for religious purposes. It is considered a day of fasting and prayer. When this is a Jewish fast, water is not permitted at all. After the fast is complete, it is generally followed with a Break Fast meal, not to be confused with breakfast. This is meant to be a light meal to introduce food and water back to your body after the fast is completed, usually consisting of dairy foods and salads, tea, cake and juice. The tea and cake are eaten first to help avoid over eating in the meal.
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Hunger Strike – This is a non-violent resistance done for political protest. These types of fasting methods have sometimes ended with force feeding. They are performed to provoke guilt feelings to achieve a goal. Most hunger strike participants will drink liquid but not consume solid food.
- Intermittent Fast – A specific pattern of eating is carried out that consists of periods of fasting with only water consumption and then periods of non-fasting. Some people carry this practice out as a way of life since there is some evidence proving that intermittent fasts can have healthy benefits and offer longevity.
- Santhara – This is death by fasting, carried out in the Jain religion. It is not considered suicide because it is not an immediate death. This prolonged nature of death gives the participant time to reflect on their life when they feel that they have served their purpose on earth.
- Taboo Food And Drink Fast – During certain festivals such as lent, or during pregnancy or other chosen events, the participant refrains from certain food or beverages for cultural, religious, hygienic or health reasons. Some people choose various items such as fruit, pigs, deer, fish or cows as a designated taboo food.
- Anorexia Nervosa – When examining types of fasting, this method is more often considered a disease. It is an eating disorder that is usually due to having a distorted body image and is characterized by the participant having low body weight. This fasting method is a result of the participant generally starving themselves to obtain or maintain a desired body image that is usually less than what a healthy one should be.
- Sexual Fast – This fasting method could be for reasons including personal, protest, mental clarity or religious beliefs. Many cultures or religions have designated Sexual Fasts such as the Muslims who are required to partake in this fast during the month of Ramadan.