Three meals a day, old habits are hard to break. Believe it or not, this is a relatively recent phenomena, coming from England several hundred years ago. Back then, it was a sign of prosperity, not a nutritional need. Our forefathers brought the practice with them when they came to America. At the time, it helped them meet the nutritional needs of their vigorous life style.
Today we no longer need to eat so often; but, still do. It sounds counter intuitive; but, a program of fasting is better for you than frequently eating during the day. Fasting isn’t starving: Your nutritional needs are being met; but, not as frequently. Fasting allows the body to rest, repair and maintain the brain, GI and immune systems. Millions of muslims practice fasting without ill effects during the 30 days of Ramadan each year. Large studies have demonstrated the positive heath effects of fasting in this group of people.
Of course before you consider a program of fasting, please consult with your primary care provider. For some patients, like diabetics, fasting might be harmful; so, always check first.
