Like in all areas of our lives (religion, education, etc.), our perspectives on food have been formed over time, based on various factors like where we were born, what our parents fed us/what we grew up eating, and what society at large is consuming and telling us is the norm.
It’s normal for food to play a huge role in our lives. Not only is it necessary for survival, but it brings people together, it can be enjoyable to both consume and prepare, and for many of us it’s a part of our identity (I’m Italian and you better believe my life choices frequently revolve around food).
We are now, however, at the point where the quantity of food (in addition to the type of food) we’re consuming is doing more harm than good. We’ve all heard the stats – nearly one-third of the world’s population is overweight or obese. And you probably know the health implications: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. It’s clear that our diets are becoming increasingly detrimental to our physical health—but does it have implications beyond the physical?
The high obesity rates speak for themselves, but it is evident that we eat more than our bodies actually need. There are tons of reasons for over-eating, but the point is that we are so habituated to eating excessively that it does not even feel excessive. Everything surrounding us is telling us to eat this, eat that, eat more. And do it in a way that requires as little effort on your part as possible. Stop at this 24/7 drive-thru for a quick meal that includes double the food for half the price! (underlying message—MORE food is always better). Come to Costco, where you can buy everything in bulk at a cheaper price! (more food [and goods] is always better).
It makes sense that this is the way our society operates. On top of the underlying messages that MORE is always better, there’s an economic incentive to making people feel that they’re lacking something (that you can provide them with), so they are more likely to buy what you tell them to. Some classic slogans, for example: “Open Happiness” (Coca Cola), “The Perfect Body” (Victoria’s Secret), “Get Your Smile On” (Lays), “A Better Life, A Better World” (Panasonic). Marketers develop slogans like these because they have been proven to work.
The problem that is created by living in a consumerist society is that we fall into the habit of believing that happiness, fulfillment, or even just satisfaction come from the external. “Once I get the latest iPhone, I’ll be happy,” “I’m going to eat a tub of Ben & Jerry’s to make myself feel better,” or even just the phrase “retail therapy”. Everything around us—commercials, billboards, celebrities, YouTubers and Instagram influencers who get paid to sell to us—is reinforcing this idea that fulfillment comes from things outside of ourselves. But then we’re left with what feels like an unexplainable void that we don’t know how to fill.
This is where the beauty of fasting comes in. By abstaining from food and/or water for an extended period of time, you feel a true sense of fulfillment knowing that you don’t need anything external like you thought you did.
Last year, when I was living in Senegal, I took part in fasting for Ramadan, which means abstaining from any food or water from sunrise to sunset for a month. I’m the type of person who always has a water bottle in hand that I’m constantly drinking throughout the day; I thought I might die during Ramadan. After just the first day, though, I realized my body was fine not drinking water obsessively like I was used to. Day after day I proved this to myself, which made me feel a deeper connection to my body; I was getting a sense of what I actually need versus what I just cling to out of habit or fear. When I realized that not only was I surviving, but thriving (I had tons of energy after the first week), I felt so liberated. I felt liberated because I was in complete control of my actions, no longer being swayed by the external. When you quiet out the noise of the world and actually listen to your body, you’ll be surprised at how much (and what) food and water you actually need.
When you make one seemingly small change in your life, it tends to have a ripple effect and can lead to greater changes overall. For me, fasting sparked a whole new approach to life that was basically consume less. It made me realize what else I was consuming in excess besides food: Instagram, Facebook, clothes, even paper and plastic products. I’ve started doing “social media detoxes” that get me living my life again, rather than living vicariously through online influencers. I’ve drastically purged about 80% of my wardrobe and now live with about 5 t-shirts, 2 shorts, and a couple dresses (I’m also traveling in a warm climate which makes that easier). I’ve switched to re-usable feminine hygiene products which are SO much better for both the environment and your wallet. The more I simplify my life, the lighter I feel, and the happier I become knowing that the happiness was already within me; I just needed to clear away the excess “stuff”.
Disclaimer: Fasting is not for everyone. Consult your doctor if you’re unsure if you should fast.
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