Younger Fasting

[Steven]

I was wondering what everyone's opinion would be on teenagers doing juice fasts? Major concerns if any? Im 16 currently, and have really been wondering if doing a week long juice fast(or a 3 day one) would be very beneficial? I think some sort of fasting could really help me with staying and being on raw, Ive been 100% the past 6 days, but high raw(60-80%) the past year.

Also, another idea Ive had is that if a juice fast would not work for my age, would a apple fast of eating only apples for 2-3 days be good? Ive heard doing this can be great for cleansing ones system as well.

Any input you all have would be great! :banana

[Aleesha Sattva]

I know we already talked about this but I'll share it again here.

I don't agree with you fasting for any length of time due to the fact that you need a well balanced diet at your age. Doing a very short 2 or 3 day apple fast might be okay as long as you have no health issues at all, but I don't recommend it.

To be perfectly honest... I'd rather see you eat a varied, well-balanced raw diet. 100% raw rather than fasting or doing a mono-diet for any period of time.

Raw will do what fasting does... you will heal, you will cleanse, you will detox. So there's no real reason for someone your age to limit your intake of foods at all.

Of course it's your life and your choice. :yes:

[Steven]

I really do appreciate your replies to this, Aleesha! It has definitely made me think and research more.

Another reason I have considered fasting even at this age is because my mother who is dealing with many problems and needs to lose weight is interested in raw foods(she has eaten high raw for a while, but never has gotten to 100% yet) and also a juice fast, but she needs support. So that is one of my reasons for wanting to do a fast, so I can be doing it with her.

[Emiliana]

Steven, I agree completely with Aleesha.

One great way to support your mom would be to make her juice for her--and to clean up after which is my least favorite part!

[Aleesha Sattva]

I agree... making my juice and cleaning up after me is what my hubby does to support me and I sooooooooo appreciate it! Also... not preparing food or consuming it in front of her is helpful as well.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Steven... you are a GREAT son! :hug

[Psychalone]

I was wondering what everyone's opinion would be on teenagers doing juice fasts? Major concerns if any? Im 16 currently, and have really been wondering if doing a week long juice fast(or a 3 day one) would be very beneficial? I think some sort of fasting could really help me with staying and being on raw, Ive been 100% the past 6 days, but high raw(60-80%) the past year.

Also, another idea Ive had is that if a juice fast would not work for my age, would a apple fast of eating only apples for 2-3 days be good? Ive heard doing this can be great for cleansing ones system as well.

Any input you all have would be great! :banana


Well I guess I'll have to be the black sheep of this thread.

I started my journey at 16 with a 14 day Master Cleanse followed by raw veganism and fruitarianism. By the time I was 17 I was living off roughly 3 maybe 4 pieces of fruit a day while jogging about 30 miles a week and sungazing. I've fasted many times since then, some on water strictly, some one juices from veggie and/or fruits, most of these fasts were 3-10 days. To this day I'm 4 years older, about 3 inches taller and still feel like i'm 16 XD.

Personally I would say if you're worried about nutrition a juice feast would be better than only an apple or two a day, but honestly it all depends on your beliefs. When I went fruitarian at 17 I wasn't thinking about nutrition, I was just listening to my body, my intuition. It told me when I needed energy and I obeyed. Thing is, it didn't seem to ask much of me, it worked great on maybe 2 mangos and a peach or sometimes just a mango and plum. I always focused on the sweet juicy fruits because thats what my body wanted.

If you consider ancient cultures like the Hunzas, they never worried about nutrition, they never even knew what it was. They listened to their bodies and their bodies told them what they needed. There's alot of fear and sensitivity around children because of our fear-based society, they want to get the kids vaccinated, pumped full of inorganic minerals, damaged animal proteins, toxic supplements, etc. The healthier a child is, the less nutrition they need. the reason we have such high nutritional "standards" is because they're set based on people with toxic bodies and they use inorganic substances. For example with vits or mins they'll use supplements (which studies have shown we only absorb 10-15%) to determine we need this much iron or this much vit B-52 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkkZLD20_rQ&feature=related) (only found in rock lobsters XD) but this doesn't mean EVERYONE needs that much, it only means that this guy with the toxic colon who cant absorb nutrients very well has to mega-dose just to get anything. Our ACTUAL needs are rather low, even for a growing child.

My point being it's not nutrition that's truly responsible for growth it's our DNA that causes growth. We have a genetic blueprint, our genes determine how much we grow and as long as we have enough ATP thats how we end up. Now I'm in NO WAY advocating starvation, that's silliness, however if the body is satiated then there is no need to overcompensate. I'd say as long as you're not starving yourself, as long as your body is still functioning and you don't feel the need for substance then go for it. Experiment, see how you feel.

And plus...I mean 3-7 days? pfff No way you'll miss anything nutritionally that'll harm ya. I've done 2-3 days fasts even younger that 16 for religious reasons and some simply from "pushing myself". I'd say go for it, by day 3 you'll know if you want to go further. Just take it a day at a time and when you feel like stopping then stop. Listen to your body, it'll tell you if what your dong isn't working or when you need something.

Walk in Freedom
-Psych

[mysticshore]

I was 18 when I did my first 4 day fast. I think done mindfully and surrounded by excellent nutriction short fasts are unlikely to harm. I know for me it sparked an interest in the art of fasting that remains with me 10 years later.