Should my 13 yr old daughter fast?

[Liserpiece]

My daughter, who is 13 wants to fast one day out of the week. Her yoga practice has advised her to do so. She is 100% raw, and healthyhappy, but I'm unsure how to advise her additionally. Is she too young? What type of fasting would be best for her? She was encouraged to do a water fast, but this seems extreme for some one so young. I want to support her in this, but I am concerned (a Mom :rolleyes: ) and would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks

[Ginger]

I think it's a fantastic idea!

Here is an article about fasting much younger children:
http://www.rawfoodexplained.com/fasting-children/

[RowanC]

Personally, I would say no and I'm shocked that a yoga facility would tell a minor child to fast.

Additionally, to my knowledge, Alissa has never suggested that ANYBODY fasts? I'm sure if I'm wrong, people will speak up.

If you eat RAW, your body will heal.
You do not need to fast at all.

Those that fast, cleanse, get enemas or colon cleansings, take weird and sundry products for this and that are doing so at their own risk and at their own feeling of need, not at Alissa's suggestion.

Alissa, please tell me if I'm wrong here. But there could be some legal issues surrounding suggesting a minor child fast or take any type of supplement, period.

[SchoolOfRAWk]

I honestly think it's a great idea, having studied fasting.

Ehret (or Shelton?) would fast children at times when they were ill. 13 is not too young.

Especially if she is raw.

Look at the actively deadly and poisonous foods that most 13 yr olds eat? Daily, year in and out. Nobody bats an eye.

Your daughter will only assimillate more and be healthier, honestly. Especially if it's a juice fast, that is like ideal. All people should honestly do that, it's great to fast once a week.

[RawBecky]

I say go for it and that it's a great idea. One day a week will not harm her in any way, only help detox her and give her system a chance to rest. As for which type, why don't you ask her? I wouldnt put a label on it that she feels she must adhere to. If she wants juice one day, she'll juice fast. If later she decides she doesn't want juice and just wants water, she'll water fast. If she "slips up" make sure she doesnt beat herself up about it.

[SchoolOfRAWk]

It's not like she can't just eat at any point.... :-)

[Veganforlife]

Personally, I would say no and I'm shocked that a yoga facility would tell a minor child to fast.

Additionally, to my knowledge, Alissa has never suggested that ANYBODY fasts? I'm sure if I'm wrong, people will speak up.

If you eat RAW, your body will heal.
You do not need to fast at all.

Those that fast, cleanse, get enemas or colon cleansings, take weird and sundry products for this and that are doing so at their own risk and at their own feeling of need, not at Alissa's suggestion.

Alissa, please tell me if I'm wrong here. But there could be some legal issues surrounding suggesting a minor child fast or take any type of supplement, period.

I agree. I personally feel that fasts, master cleanses, etc. are so extreme. I feel that if one eats 100% raw the body will cleanse itself. No need for drastic measures. As the Mom, Liserpiece, did the yoga facility say this to you or is this something your daughter said "they" suggested she do? Kids are easily swayed by other kids these days. I, as a Mom would not do it. If your daughter is eating 100% raw and feeling well, why fast then? Wouldn't THAT be even MORE drastic on one's system? It's your call ultimately. I don't care how many articles are written out there on this subject, I personally do not feel they are beneficial. ESPECIALLY when one has been 100% raw.

[PATH301]

It's only one day - it'll be good for her, especially on the discipline side of things.

[Veganforlife]

It's only one day - it'll be good for her, especially on the discipline side of things.

Okay, then what is the point? Especially when one is 100% raw?

[SmilingRawDancer]

I think it would be good for her, as well.
Clear digestion, re-center herself spiritually and physically.
When looking at the big picture, one day of not eating is SO insignificant.
Yes, raw itself is cleansing...but some days even I feel like my system needs a break.

Just encourage her to drink fresh juices for energy.

[Liserpiece]

Thanks, whew a lot of thoguths and perspectives!
-I have asked her what type of fasts, she said water. This is what kind of got me thinking/concerned. I wouldn't give a juice fast for a day any big concern, but water sounded more... serious.
-I also asked her about this suggestion. She said it was not specifically directed towards her, just something her practice generally reccomends. I do know that hatha yoga does perscribe a one day water fast to rest your system.
-I agree, she could always eat! :)
-I also think it's good for her to develop a self dicipline, mindfulness, something she has pursued herself in her yoga/diet/lifestyle. And yes, although she is already raw and we all believe in the healing proporties it provides, I think, in her mind, this is more about resting her system and self awareness.
-Yes, it really wouldn't hurt.
-And yes, it is ultimately my call, but at 13 I'm more of a guide than a rule maker and fasting is something that I'm not an authorty in anyway. It's not that I disagree with it's benefits, just something I know only a little about. In fact my daughter knows more about it and the reasons why to do it than I do! She is "quietly determined". :)

I'm such a fence rider! With all your replies, I found something that made sense! I do feel more well rounded, so thanks!

[GHOST27M]

I think in yoga fasting is more meditative then any thing else.
Though I would see if short term fasts are safe before doing one.
I read some were that if your going to fast then FAST (more then 10 days) or don't.
I would talk to any teen. Ask if she is happy and proud of the way she looks.
young teens can have eating disorders and call it raw.
They dont think like us. I was an awfull teen!
Not saying she is a bad teen but if she is unhappy AT ALL with her looks red flag it.

I know now I will never have to worry about my weight. I am in it for the health now.

[SchoolOfRAWk]

Does she have body-consciousness issues?
Does she want to do to it secretly for negative reasons like losing weight fast?
I'd recommend the master cleanser or a juice fast for that long.
But 9 times out of 10, people want to water fast until like day 3 when the wooziness creeps in, etc. She may be okay, but 10 days even water fasting won't kill her, honestly. but I'd encourage juicing first.
Has she read up on it? Or is she just thinking about it because it was mentioned.
I'd get her juice fasting and detoxification by STeve Meyerowitz. It's easy and simple. Covers all fasting, but that is a good one. If she knows how much you support her, she may not be so eager to do it (that's how my house ran, at least, lol) and that way she is educated on it so you will feel better about it as well. ;-)

Oh wait, to do it just for one day??? That is always fine.

[Ginger]

Even if it's just water, one day is hardly a fast at all. You only skip a couple meals.

[durianrider]

just watched a 13 year old girl do a 20 day water fast....wow! she looked amazing after. and we helped her with eating choices and information. hopefully she keeps up the energy foods.

[Nurse in the Raw]

My 14 year old daughter and I both juice fast on the weekends. We both have weight to lose and it is helping us to stay focused on eating raw for the rest of the week.

[rawsurfer]

dude that is so rad that your 13 year old daughter is raw, doing yoga, and is into fasting. when i was thirteen i was starting to smoke pot and drink, and i really loved eating and would never have considered fasting, yoga, etc.

[liquidicious]

don't be too constraining! you say you are more of a guid than a rule-maker -- then you should allow her to make her experiments! she seem to be so independent (knows more about fasting than you?), then let her make her decisions based on her knowledge & tell her that if doesn't work as in theory she should not be discouraged!
I think that you shouldn't even post this here, but discuss it with her, & maybe provide more info on the net.
never get too involved in the specifics, you know that this is just a manifestation of her desires, & you should know what she likes to achive & be able to guid her from that point of view. because if fasting is taking her toward the goal, you both whould agree!

if you want to take the full responsibillity as a guid, you will have to turn your mind upside down, & start to educate yourself about everything (for solving problems), & reflect upon everything. & only then you will understand how little you know, & how many false assumptions you make. & how dependent your knowledge is on society & its brain-washing.
by being motivated to educate yourself about many things you will get a generic understanding of everything, & understand a lot more about problem-solving & learning.
such a confusion this awakes, so new & different for many ears.
my point is that you must know a hard life of solving many hard problems to understand how to give great general advices & not set specific constraints, or you must allow for more experimentation & open-mindedness right now!

[liquidicious]

My 14 year old daughter and I both juice fast on the weekends. We both have weight to lose and it is helping us to stay focused on eating raw for the rest of the week.

great sheme!
& acctually juicing is consentrating the nutrients, & minimizing the effort in digestion.
so that is my secound argument to the people saying that you shouldn't fast if raw, also I have 100 more... but I will make a post about my diet soon...

[Bobbie]

One day a week can't harm her in any way. Humans in the wild would often have gone a day without food. Short-term Fasting actually increases Growth Hormone production which not only makes children grow but also repairs and rejuvenates the body. The more GH adults produce the younger they look.
Long term fasting and annorexia shuts down production of hormones. Children who don't eat for a long time stop growing, and if they go long enough without food, don't start growing again even when they start eating again, because their glands have shut down.
You have to be careful with longterm fasts for children and teens.
But one day a week is fine!!
I used to water fast for 24 hours on Catholic religious feast days (Good Friday, Ash Wednesday etc) from around the age of 9 and it made me feel so much better.

[Bobbie]

As its only one day I think water fasting would be better than juice - long term juice fasts can do marvellous things (a 10 week juice fast cured me of psoriasis) but I never seem to get anything out of juicing for 1 day, whereas just one day on a water fast makes a big difference to how I feel.