My friend is thinking of fasting??

Question

My friend is think of fasting for 2 days each week. She says she is thinking of doing it because the bible says something about it.
I was wondering though, is this safe? It doesn't seem like a good idea to me. She plans on not eating anything for the whole day on Mondays and Thursdays.
So, safe, or not safe? I want my friend to stay healthy, but at the same time I want to respect her beliefs.
Have any of you done this before??

I am not planning on doing this, I am not religous. I personally can't go for more than a few hours without food.

Yes, it is her choice, but she came to me for advice, and I pretty much told her if she wants to try it, go ahead, but if you start getting sick (losing weight, whatever) to stop. I also told her to talk to her docter about it.

She is very religious, and she says she has a strong relationship with god.

Answer 1

Not a problem. Fasting is perfectly safe, but you need to continue drinking liquids.

She will lose weight, though, if she does this weekly. Also fasting is more than not eating, it's devoting time to the Lord.

Answer 2

Most religions to fast does not mean to not eat for 24 hours. It means to either skip 1 or 2 meals, or in Judaism and Islam you do not eat from sun up to sun down, after that you can eat. Catholics when fasting are not supposed to eat lunch, but breakfast and dinner is OK.

The important thing about fasting is to do it for the right reasons to focus on God and your relationship with God. This also needs to be done in a healthy way.

There are many web sites with helpful info on fasting and prayer, just search for "fasting and prayer".

Answer 3

It's good she had a friend to talk to, but to come to you instead of another believer with history and experience isn't the best thing. However for you to take the time and search out info concerning this is great. I fast and often at times as i feel led of the Lord. there are many different fast and if your friend feels led of the Spirit to fast, then i hope they follow there heart concerning the matter. I would recommend read about them and also reading Isaiah chapter 58.

Answer 4

It is safe, and a good idea. It will allow your body to cleanse itself of toxins. Make sure to stay hydrated, and eat a normal diet in between fasting. There should be no 10,000 calorie days right after the fast, that would be more harm then good.

As for spiritual connection, it seems that many of the worlds greatest religious leaders used fasting.

Answer 5

Yes. Many times. It is safe. There are many kinds of fasts. If you want to hear from God fast try a three day fast of no food or water. Fasting is a good cleanser so it is good to drink some water. I once went on a 70 day no meat fast. I ate nuts and beans and brown rice for protein. A combination of corn- beans - brown rice -soy products or grains will give you complete proteins. Fasting helps you to hear from God because He is a Spirit and we must discipline our flesh so we can hear Him. And He enjoys speaking to us.

Answer 6

I personally have never fasted before but what your friend is doing seems to be okay. Because she allows herself 2 days in the middle of the week and 3 around her fasting days, she's actually regulating her diet in a way that might actually be beneficial to her.

Answer 7

My question is why? Why does the Bible say to fast. Does she understand why. And why 2 days each week? Fasting is to let God know that you are serious about your prayers. Does it take 2 days to get His attention or can you just miss one meal? Fasting does not have to be unhealthy.

Answer 8

She really needs to understand fasting and the purpose behind it. It is a serious religious observance, and performing it "because the bible says something about it" seems very superficial.

I hope she is able to understand it and I hope it really means something to her before she undertakes it. Matthew 6:16 really says a lot about people who fast. She should do so without telling others and without expecting people to know she is doing it and praising her for it. Fasting is personal.

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Answer 9

As long as they don't have a medical condition which makes them susceptible to dangerously low blood sugar, then it's perfectly safe.

It will lower her basal metabolic rate though. This will make her body less efficient at burning calories in the long run. It can paradoxically lead to weight gain, regardless of the lower caloric intake 2x/week.

Edit: William D makes an excellent point: drinking more water is a very good idea during fasting because it helps the body excrete certain toxins which accumulate during moderate starvation.

Answer 10

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Unless she's anorexic she probably won't stick to that schedule for more than a couple of weeks.
Occasional fasting is healthy for your body though as long as you continue to drink and don't have other health issues (eg diabetes).