Hello! I am starting an extended fast today with my fiance!

(Dana Hagberg) #1

I have not fasted before, not technically. I went without food on a number of occasions as a child but not of my own will so this is different. My fiance lost a huge amount of weight in high school with an extended fast and we have been gaining weight lately (especially over the holidays) so he thinks we should try this.
I am a boredom eater though so it might be tough, but I recently discovered I like chewing on ice so I’m sure that would help.
My fiance, Zack, thinks taking a multi vitamin will take us out of ketosis. I don’t want to tell him he is wrong but I have read some conflicting articles. I don’t want to hurt myself by getting too few vitamins and minerals.
He wants to do a thirty day fast. I doubt I will get there but that is the goal. He has done it before. I have not. I am looking for suggestions on supplements and what I am allowed to drink (tea, broth, salt water, etc).
I’ve also noticed a lot of people posting about blood Ketone levels and blood glucose levels and was hoping someone would directly me to an affordable meter I could purchase to measure that.
Thank you!

#2

Dana, there are a lot of questions in there, some of which no one can answer conclusively (what will take you out of ketosis - though it’s highly unlikely that a vitamin pill will). A few thoughts for you:

  1. generally people work up to longer fasts, first through regular intermittent fasting, then through 40-hour fasts scattered through the week, and a few 2-5 day fasts. Personally I would not recommend a 30-day fast right out of the gate;

  2. there are a lot of threads on here about fasting. I would read a TON, and some things will become more clear;

  3. there’s a pretty big range of what people use while fasting, since it depends on the specific goals. Some do water only, some do coffee and supplements; some do coffee and teas and broths with some fat (a bit of cream or butter);

  4. skipping supplements for a short (2-3 day) fast is probably not a big deal;

  5. look into electrolytes (Brenda’s KetoAid or something similar).

  6. fasting is an amazing tool for health :slight_smile: so good for you for being willing to try it, and it’s generally much easier when you’re doing it with someone else!

Hope this helps. Good luck to you -