Fasting, but not as you know it. . . Women Talking looks at the principles behind the age-old practice of fasting.
What is fasting?
Fasting is abstaining from eating, drinking or both. This could be for health, ritualistic, religious or ethical purposes and has been associated with a wide selection of potential health benefits including weight loss, as well as improved blood sugar control, heart health, brain function and cancer prevention.
Essentially, fasting cleanses our body of toxins and forces cells into processes that are not usually stimulated when a steady stream of fuel from food is always present.When we fast, the body does not have its usual access to glucose, forcing the cells to resort to other means and materials to produce energy.
The principle itself is nothing new. Fasting has been used since at least the 5thcentury BCE when Greek physician Hippocrates recommended abstinence from food or drink to patients who exhibited certain symptoms of illness.
Not having ever fasted before, I was keen to try this process for myself. The perfect introduction came in the form of ProLon ReSet which offers a scientifically backed 1-day nutrition kit that puts your body in a fasting state, helping you take the time to reset and recharge.
Ideal to use during any day of the week whenever you feel that you had a few days of overindulgence or an unhealthy lifestyle.
Alternatively, you can adopt it as a fasting nutrition lifestyle program by consuming it once or twice a week (for example, use it as the 5:2 diet – two days of fasting nutrition, 5 days of traditional food).
The brand new 1-Day nutritional programme uses a patented, precise blend of primarily plant-based nutrients to provide essential nutrition and fuel without activating your body’s food-sensing system giving your body a break and a chance to ‘reset.’
Perfect for those wanting to test a fasting lifestyle, without the commitment of a longer programme ProLon ReSet lets you eat great-tasting food to help provide nourishment as your body goes into a fasting state.
I was sent a one-day kit to try, which contained the following:
ProLon Reset 1 – Day fasting Kit
This one-day box contains everything you need for the day including a plant-based energy bar, soups that are low in saturated fat but high in fibre to support gut health, drinks and an Algal oil which is high in omega 3 fatty acids. The NR-3 capsule has 23 essential vitamins and minerals with 2 amino acids including one that cannot be made by the body, all carefully designed to support your fasting journey.
Menu
Breakfast
1 Fast Bar (Nuts & Honey) – Their Nut-Based Bars are satisfying and flavoursome and contain macadamias, pecans, almond butter, coconut and flaxseed to satisfy your hunger while tasting delicious.
1 herbal Tea
2 Algal Oil Packets
Lunch
1 Tomato Soup
Almond & Kale Cracker
2 NR-1 Packets
Afternoon
1 Olives Packet – There’s a reason they included olives as one of their fasting snacks. Olives are high in antioxidants and healthy fats that help reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol. They are also low in calories and low on the glycaemic index, which helps trick your body into thinking you are fasting.
1 Herbal tea
Dinner
1 Butternut Squash Soup
1 I.F Bar (Nuts & Honey)
I really enjoyed the daily menu supplied in the box and was fully satisfied with my food intake for the day. As a one-off it was great, the only downside was the fact I was still cooking for the family and missed the togetherness of all sharing the same meal, however a minor detail that could be overcome with careful planning!!
ProlonReset provided my day with innovative nutritional formulas that helped curb my hunger and fed my body while keeping it in a physiological fasting state. My body felt satisfied and the daily menu tasted great.
Poppy Watt