Anthropology of Food

Fasting

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Believe me, I won’t be going on a fast any time soon (I don’t think I have enough self discipline). However, this is a subject I have been reading and thinking about this last week. People all over the world fast for different reasons: spiritual, health and eating disorders. I have even seen fasting compared to running a marathon, where physical limitations must be overcome by the mind. Fasting is said to create a state of euphoria that is medically documented and scientifically explained by the changes that occur in the chemistry of our bodies. It is interesting that through fasting the body, the thing that ties us to the physical world, helps the individual reach a higher plane (spiritual or mental). There is something contradictory about fasting in this respect: deprivation (absence) creates greater presence.

For some interesting reading on fasting, check out this article in the Guardian that looks at Ramadan fasting from a nutritional perspective. The author asks if breaking the fast each day with sweets and rich foods is really a healthy practice. In addition, if Ramadan is about self control, what does this end of the day gorging say? I am not sure how well I would do after a 12-hour fast.

Another recent article by Judith Thurman looks at American spas where the rich go to starve themselves. I was happy to see an article on fasting as part of the New Yorker food issue. For me the spa phenomenon in North America underlines our societies obsession and discontent with our bodies. Some people call this a holiday. I tried to stop drinking coffee for a week and I thought I was going to die.