Fasting vs very low calories

Clarice_Phillips_2019

I'm confused at why someone can fast for several days on end consuming no calories is ok, but someone eating 500 calories a day is considered really bad?

RunnerGrl1982

Where did you hear/read that it was okay to consume zero calories for several days? Genuinely curious. As either way of "dieting" is not recommended nor healthy unless otherwise supervised by a doctor.

rkcampbell

What makes you think several days of fasting “on end” is ok?

estherdragonbat

As others have said, fasting for days on end is not okay. I've done 26-hours two days a year (several months apart), but that's for religious reasons. And really, it's more like OMAD on those days, since once the fast is over, I typically eat my full day's worth of calories.

AnnPT77

Eat a sensible number of calories every day. It's OK to eat a little more (hundred or two) some days, to eat more other days, and balance over a week or so.

You can give others advice about what they do (even if extreme). Other than that, do a a sensible thing yourself.

MikePTY

Both are considered bad. Nobody is encouraged to not eat for several days or to only eat 500 calories. Eat at a reasonable calorie deficit and you will lose weight and protect your health.

lleeann2001

My doctor....are you people listening? MY IRL doc says fasting is good. However he doesnt recommend fasting for a very long time...IN MY CASE. Some people fast for days and days. this MAY work for them. Everyone has a choice but thats a good question i think.😁

Unknown

This content has been removed.

sijomial

Clarice_Phillips_2019 wrote: »

I'm confused at why someone can fast for several days on end consuming no calories is ok, but someone eating 500 calories a day is considered really bad?

Primarily it's the duration of the fasting and the overall nutrition over an extended period of time that are the factors.

Also remember that "ok" does not equal optimal or a good idea. It might just mean absence of harm.

Yes humans can fast for a relatively short duration without harm but that doesn't mean you can be malnourished over an extended period of time (whether by fasting or severe restriction) without causing health issues.

stricklee11

Some people on IF consume 500 calories on the days they fast (5:2 IF). It's not a true fast but fasting for an entire day can be very difficult for some. Is that what you're referencing?

Teabythesea_

lleeann2001 wrote: »

My doctor....are you people listening? MY IRL doc says fasting is good. However he doesnt recommend fasting for a very long time...IN MY CASE. Some people fast for days and days. this MAY work for them. Everyone has a choice but thats a good question i think.😁

If your doctor is telling you that fasting is good I'd seek a new one... doctors aren't trained in diet/nutrition but to tell someone that fasting is good for them is completely irresponsible.

cmriverside

Clarice_Phillips_2019 wrote: »

I'm confused at why someone can fast for several days on end consuming no calories is ok, but someone eating 500 calories a day is considered really bad?

According to whom?

Everyone has an opinion and any unsolicited advice you get is generally worth what you paid for it.

lleeann2001

Teabythesea_ wrote: »

lleeann2001 wrote: »

My doctor....are you people listening? MY IRL doc says fasting is good. However he doesnt recommend fasting for a very long time...IN MY CASE. Some people fast for days and days. this MAY work for them. Everyone has a choice but thats a good question i think.😁

If your doctor is telling you that fasting is good I'd seek a new one... doctors aren't trained in diet/nutrition but to tell someone that fasting is good for them is completely irresponsible.

ok teaby

savithny

Are we trying to justify constant disordered eating by saying that sometimes people eat that little for short periods? Because if that's what you're doing, that's apples and oranges.

Short, defined, periods of fasting are NOT the same as eating 500 calories for days upon days at a time. If that's the comparison here, you need to rethink your comparison.