“The power of fasting: How one meal a day can improve gut health and digestion”
Have you ever wondered how fasting can impact your gut health?
It’s not just about skipping meals – it’s about giving your digestive system the rest it deserves.
Fasting has been part of many cultures for centuries, and recently, it’s gained attention for its potential benefits in improving digestion and overall well-being.
I’m sharing my personal journey with fasting and how it has helped me tackle bloating, IBS, increase energy, and improve my gut health.
Keep reading to explore how fasting might be the key to unlocking better digestion for you too. 😉
Just before we jump in… if you’re new to our site, be sure to check out our “About us” page, to learn more about our journey toward better health 😀
Now, let’s dive into fasting, and how it can be a game-changer for your health!
We’ve put together an honest Q&A where we share out own experiences with fasting – how it’s impacted our digestion, energy and well-being. These answers are based on our real-live experiences, giving you a true insight into how fasting has benefited our health and how it can benefit yours.
1. How did you first discover the benefits of fasting for gut health and digestion?
Accidently. I was working for the summer season. The day was busy, life was hard, so I was just trying to keep up with the busy days, grabbing a snack here and there, or sometimes just one meal, usually at night when my day was over. Then I realized that I don’t need to have more than two meals, if the only meal I was eating was full of nutrients, protein, fats, carbs and fiber. I started listening to my body.
I felt way more energized. I noticed that when I focused on eating one or two nutrient-packed meals a day, my digestion improved, and I felt better overall. It’s amazing how simplifying what I eat gave me more energy to tackle my day!
2. What changes did you notice in your bloating and digestion when you first started fasting?
I didn’t notice any progress to my digestion, I just had more energy during the day because I didn’t have food to digest. But after a few months of fasting, I started noticing big changes in how my body responded. But I’m not sure if it is because of fasting, or because I have reduced processed foods, sweets, carbs and fiber. I started focusing more on protein and healthy fats. I realized that the carbs and fiber were the culprits causing all that discomfort I was feeling with bloating. It was like an eye-opener for me.
3. Can you explain how fasting helps give the digestive system time to rest and recover?
Our digestive system is a lot like the rest of our body—it needs time to recover. We don’t always realize how much we’re putting it through by constantly eating. When I started fasting, I gave my body that break it needed. Not everyone is the same, some people depending on the age and the gut health may need more or less hours. It’s not about starving yourself but about letting your digestive system work at its own pace. But also, the body when it is completely done with the digestion part, needs sometimes to self-heal.
So maybe we can try to give it some more time, and maybe we are not really hungry every 2-3-4 hours.
It’s all about listening to your body—if you feel full, stop. If you’re still hungry after a few hours, then eat.
Fasting isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing, but it’s worth giving it a try.
But only if we try it we will know for sure if we are really hungry…or not.
4. What do you eat in your one meal a day, and how do you make sure it’s nutritious for optimal gut health?
I keep things simple but nutritious. My meals consist of protein, healthy fats, and some carbs. For example, I’ll have meat, fish, chicken, eggs, some cheese, and sometimes olives or rice cakes. I make sure to include healthy fats like olive oil and butter, plus lemon squeezed over my meal for extra nutrients. And for me, it’s important to include foods that contain all the vitamins and minerals I need. This balance of foods keeps me feeling full and energized without feeling bloated or heavy!
5. How did fasting impact your energy levels and overall health? Did you experience any surprising results?
For me it works. Fasting has made a huge difference in my energy levels. I have much more energy when I wake up and my energy levels grow even higher after 18-19 hours of fasting. On days I’m fasting, I don’t feel sluggish after meals like I did before, and my focus is much sharper. It’s like I have a steady stream of energy, and I’m not crashing after eating.
6. How long did it take for you to notice significant improvements in your bloating and digestion after adopting fasting?
It didn’t take too long. Within a couple of weeks, I noticed my digestion was smoother, and the bloating wasn’t as bad. I’d say 2-3 days of fasting and I started feeling more comfortable after meals. Of course, some days I still get a little bloated, but nowhere near as much as before. It’s a work in progress, but fasting with the right foods, like animal-based meals, has helped me feel way better overall. I’m probably 80% better than before—way more comfortable.
7. What would you tell someone who’s skeptical about fasting and whether it is safe or effective for your health?
If you start eating protein and fats you will soon realize that your appetite drastically changes and, in the end, you will end up fasting for more than 12 hours without even trying. But if your meals have many carbs and sugar, you just cannot do it.
So, I would suggest to everyone to try to fast for at least 12 hours and try to push it little by little to 13-14-15-16 hours to see how their body reacts. At first, it may seem challenging, especially if you’re used to more frequent meals or snacking. But once you adapt, you may notice that you’re feeling fuller longer and have more energy.
It’s important to listen to your body. It’s also very important to break your fasting with fats and protein! If you want to include carbs, do it at least after you have eaten your half meal, or better in the end of your meal to control your insulin. Because fasting benefits is also for controlling your hormones, so you don’t want after fasting, to spike your insulin levels and go in circles with eating again. If you’re still feeling hungry after fasting, it’s perfectly fine—your body will let you know when it’s ready for food!
8. Did fasting affect your ability to absorb nutrients or your overall digestion? How does it help improve nutrient absorption?
I’m not exactly sure if I’m absorbing more nutrients, but I do feel like fasting has helped my digestion a lot. When I’m fasting, I give my body a break, and it’s amazing how much more energy I have. I believe the main reason is because my digestive system has a chance to rest, which helps it work more efficiently when I eat. It also seems like I digest and absorb nutrients better when I allow my body to recover. it is like workout. If you work-out and don’t rest the next day you will not have the same energy to work out.
9. How does fasting fit into your daily routine, and how can others incorporate it into their lifestyle for lasting benefits?
It is the easiest thing. It makes my life easy. I eat once per day, whenever I feel it suits me, and I’m done. I’m not obsessed with eating multiple times a day, and it feels great to eat when my body truly needs it. Other people may prefer eating more frequently, but fasting can still be adapted to suit your lifestyle. Everyone has to find their own way and find the balance that make them feel comfortable. But I believe that we shouldn’t eat more than 2 meals per day. I believe the key to successful fasting is listening to your body and finding the rhythm that works best for you.
10. Do you recommend fasting as part of a larger healthy lifestyle, and what other habits do you practice alongside fasting for gut health?
Absolutely. I believe that everybody should fast for at least 16 hours and for at least 2 times per week. But fasting is just one piece of the puzzle. I also focus on eating foods that are easy for my body to digest—mainly animal-based foods—and avoid processed foods. Taking care of my gut and nourishing my body with nutrient-dense foods helps my digestion and overall well-being. And of course, it’s all about balance. I also do workout, keep my mind to a good place, spend time with friends, laughing etc. A holistic approach to life, combining fasting with healthy habits, has really worked for me.
Conclusion:
Incorporating fasting into my routine has not only helped me with my gut health, but it has also boosted my energy and improved my overall lifestyle.
If you’re struggling with bloating, IBS, or digestive discomfort, fasting may be a simple yet effective solution.
The key is to listen to your body and find what works best for you.
Start slow.
Pay attention to how your body reacts, and remember, it’s all about balance.
Whether you’re fasting for 12 hours or pushing your limits a little further, your gut might just thank you in the long run.
Give it a try and see how you feel – small changes can lead to big results.
Thank you for taking the time to read through our journey. 🙂
We hope our experiences inspire you to take control of your health and begin your own path toward wellness!!!
PS: Keep pushing forward, from Gut 💪