By Jasmine Hope Silva (Contributor) – Email
Aristotle once said, “The ultimate value of life depends on awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.” With that in mind, consider the notion of fasting. Founded in a theological background, the Greeks provided significant historical information that now allows us to see the health benefits of fasting.
It is important that we do not undermine healthy eating. Adding lemon and cucumber to your water is a simple, but effective detox tool. Avocados are a bountiful source of natural fat that actually helps to shape abdominal muscles.
But the ancient Greeks praised fasting because it was of transcendental value to them. Fasting showed that you could give up something vital to earthly survival in order to benefit the survival of your inner spirit, bringing one closer to divinity. Not only did it elevate personal spirituality, but it gave the physical body a rest. When we fast from something our body unnecessarily relies upon, we give ourselves time to flush out toxins and purify the digestive tract.
Because we are in school and our brains need to rely on nutrients to properly recall facts and formulae, I do not recommend fasting from every kind of food all at once. Start simply: fasting from added sugar will allow you to see how sweeteners can be naturally sourced. Instead of grabbing the lollies, you might opt for a kiwi fruit or a cup of berries. When it comes to natural sweeteners, be wary of honey. When honey is digested, the fructose released behaves exactly the same as when it’s released from table sugar; heading straight for the liver and increasing the chances of developing type 2 diabetes and liver disease. So instead of adding honey to your breakfast smoothies, add a handful of dates or figs. Perhaps by the end of a week, you will begin to feel more alert, awake, and refreshed.
If this sounds too archaic, keep in mind this is something that nutritionists highly recommend — even celebrity A-listers such as Beyonce, “Queen B” herself, frequently participate in intermittent fasting. Would we have “Crazy in Love” if it weren’t for Beyonce’s fasting rituals? I wouldn’t want to live in that world.
Diets and trends are constantly pushed by tabloids. But in this case, there must be something to explain why the idea of fasting has been around for so long. Maybe it’s that you notice things differently when you’re not feeding yourself something you believe yourself to “need.” When you fast from something, you begin to source that need from other things — ideally ones that are healthier for you to consume.
Be aware of what you consume. Contemplate why you are consuming what you are consuming. This week, try fasting from something you normally keep as a vice. Allowing your body to breathe without something it is used to might enable it to search for other ways to stay strong — you might even find yourself reaching a state of enlightenment.
