In anything, there has to be that moment of fasting, really, in order to enjoy the feast. —Stephen Hough
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Here on TKZ, we occasionally make reference to life style choices that affect our writing. We talk about the kinds of food we eat, the hours of sleep we get, and the types of exercise we do. However, there’s one behavior I don’t think we’ve covered here: fasting.
Although I don’t fast frequently, I do a 24-hour fast once a year, and I’ve occasionally tried shorter term fasts. (Translation: not very often.) Although I’m certainly not an expert on fasting, I’ve noticed a couple of things.
Besides being uncomfortably hungry, there’s another facet to denying oneself food: the effect it has on the brain. I have noticed a clarity and focus that comes with fasting that may be a benefit to authors, and that can be accomplished even with shorter, intermittent fasting.
What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting (IF) isn’t about what you eat. It’s about when you eat it. There are different approaches. Some people don’t eat between say 8 p.m. and noon the next day. That’s a sixteen-hour fast. Others may eat regularly five days a week and eat only one meal on two non-consecutive days.
A Little Background
According to Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Mark Mattson
“…our bodies have evolved to be able to go without food for many hours, or even several days or longer. In prehistoric times, before humans learned to farm, they were hunters and gatherers who evolved to survive — and thrive — for long periods without eating. They had to: It took a lot of time and energy to hunt game and gather nuts and berries.”
So, it seems our bodies are programmed for intermittent fasting.
The Benefits of IF
But why would we want to deny ourselves the pleasure of food? First, there are some pretty compelling health benefits associated with fasting, including weight loss, protection against type 2 diabetes, and reducing inflammation.
A 2019 article in The New England Journal of Medicine adds to those benefits.
“Until recently, studies of caloric restriction and intermittent fasting focused on aging and the life span. After nearly a century of research on caloric restriction in animals, the overall conclusion was that reduced food intake robustly increases the life span.”
Living longer means having more time to write! But there’s even more good news from that same NEJM article.
“Studies in animals show that intermittent fasting enhances cognition in multiple domains, including spatial memory, associative memory, and working memory [emphasis added]; alternate-day fasting and daily caloric restriction reverse the adverse effects of obesity, diabetes, and neuroinflammation on spatial learning and memory.”
Enhancing cognitive ability is an added bonus to the long life.
How Does IF Work?
According to the New England Journal of Medicine article cited above
“Glucose and fatty acids are the main sources of energy for cells. After meals, glucose is used for energy, and fat is stored in adipose tissue as triglycerides. During periods of fasting, triglycerides are broken down to fatty acids and glycerol, which are used for energy. The liver converts fatty acids to ketone bodies, which provide a major source of energy for many tissues, especially the brain [emphasis added], during fasting.”
Pushups for the gray cells!
The Effect of Fasting on Writing
A recent LinkedIn.com post features the experiences of author Gin Stephens and makes the case that IF is good for writers for several reasons, including
Sharper Brain Function
Noteworthy is the biological impact of IF on brain function. Fasting promotes neurogenesis—the growth of new neurons—which is linked to improved cognitive function and creativity. Moreover, the state of ketosis achieved during fasting periods can elevate mood and brain function, providing a fertile ground for creative thought. This biological edge can be particularly beneficial for writers seeking to push the boundaries of their imagination and innovate within their work.
Discipline and Structure
The discipline required for IF can spill over into writing practices. For creatives, structuring their day around a fasting schedule can bring a sense of order and discipline that benefits their work. The routine of an eating window encourages better planning and prioritization, skills essential for both successful fasting and successful writing.
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Note: I’m not advocating any type of fasting for anyone. You should do your own research and talk to your doctor before making any change to your routine. But the research is interesting, and there is a veritable smorgasbord of information online to feast on.
So TKZers: What do you think about intermittent fasting? Have you ever tried it? If so, does it help your writing? Do you think you might give it a try?
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My wife and I have been doing the IF diet for years, so much so that it is second nature. It has kept my weight stable, at least, but I have never thought of it in terms of writing. I suppose, at the very least, not eating all the time give me more opportunity to write.
Good morning, Michael, and thanks for your input.
“not eating all the time give me more opportunity to write.” So true. And when you think of the time spent cooking the food, eating the food, and cleaning up after eating, that’s a lot of time that can be spent writing!
Have a healthy writing week.
I do IF, eat at 11 a.m., no eating after 7 p.m. 16 hour window of not eating. I’m going to start doing a 24 hour fast on weekends. Read so much about IF and fasting for health reasons, which is why I’m doing it, but never thought about how it could improve my writing. I’ll see.
Good morning, Jillian, and thanks for your input.
It’s nice to see people here at TKZ who are practicing IF. Does fasting make you feel better and have more energy?
One other question: Do you drink water, tea, or coffee when you fast?
Have a great week.
I feel my best (clear head, calm gut, no joint pain) when I do intermittent fasting. But it’s not a rule for me. Maybe 5 days a week I simply skip breakfast. It helps if the night before I’ve had a low-carb dinner.
Good morning, Priscilla.
So you do experience the clarity of thought that I read about. That’s encouraging. And the other benefits you mention are considerable.
I’m glad to see so many TKZers are tuned in to IF. I need to get with the program.
Thanks for the tip about a low-carb dinner the night before. Have a great week.
Aside from Yom Kippur, I don’t fast, although I suppose the interval between dessert and breakfast is about 11 hours. I wouldn’t call it fasting, though.
Good morning, Terry.
The papers I read mentioned sixteen hours between the last evening food and the next day meal. I wonder how important that number is.
I do like the idea of eating a meal around noon (brunch) and a second meal later in the day. Fewer dishes to wash.
Have a great week.
I don’t intentionally fast, but I forget to eat. A lot. Close friends and family often text, “Did you eat today?” Whoops! I am drinking water all day, though. The only time I’m actually hungry is on weekends. No idea why.
Good morning, Sue. Being so absorbed in your writing that you forget to eat is wonderful! And healthy.
It’s so interesting that you’re only hungry on weekends. Definitely something there. Have you given that trait to any of your characters?
Have a good week.
Strangely, my characters eat all the time. Maybe that’s why I’m not hungry. I’m living vicariously through them. LOL
When I found out you can drink coffee on an intermittent fast, I went for it….on occasion. Your post makes me want to try it more often.
But I’m not going to become a runner.
Good morning, Jim.
Being able to drink coffee or tea makes fasting a lot easier.
And about running: never say never. 🙂
Interesting post, Kay. I have not practiced intermittent fasting, but my wife has done a version where you don’t eat breakfast, then can have just a little fruit at lunch, and also drink a little Kombucha, as well as plenty of water and green tea. You break the fast at dinner time. She was doing this two days a week, and found it helped her focus on other things, and lose a little weight.
Your article has me thinking about it, though I’m a big believer in a healthy breakfast.
Good morning, Dale.
“I’m a big believer in a healthy breakfast.” Me too. I’m thinking about just moving breakfast later. Breakfast at noon. Dinner in late afternoon. So your wife also found she was able to focus better with IF? Interesting.
Have a great week.
Interesting, Kay. Thanks for the science behind fasting.
I wasn’t consciously fasting but in the morning, I only have coffee for breakfast and morning is my most productive writing time. Usually I don’t have lunch until noon or later. That’s often the big meal of the day—the old farmer style “dinner” at midday. Afternoons are far less productive writing-wise and I get sleepy. I’ve been following Jim’s power nap advice then. Evening supper is supposed to be a lighter version of “dinner” but I cheat.
IF is part of my routine even if I didn’t realize it.
My downfall are goodies–cookies, chocolate, ice cream. I really need to go to the dentist and get that sweet tooth pulled!
Thanks for a thought-provoking Monday post!
Good morning, Debbie.
What good fortune. You’ve been IF fasting and didn’t know it! I like the idea of a big breakfast at noon or later. I may have to give up my morning oatmeal a few days a week.
I try to avoid driving by the Baskin Robbins store here. My car has an irresistible urge to pull into the parking lot.
Have a great week.
I fast during the month of Ramadan. That fasting, though, restricts water as well, so the clearheadedness doesn’t happen during the day. Definitely after, I feel a lot calmer and focused.
Good morning, Azali.
Thanks for your information. If I understand it correctly, Ramadan fasting is from dawn to sunset, so I guess we could say that’s a form of IF. It’s interesting that you feel more focused and calmer after the fast.
Have a great week.
In my pizza life Ramadan would mean time orders for about 8:30 PM. The manager didn’t get it.
“Sundown. Our Muslim customers are fasting sunrise to sunset, or about 8:30.” That store has about a 30% Muslim customer base.
I imagine you got a lot of orders for that 8:30 pizza delivery!
In 2021, I lost about 50# on an IF regimen. I ate no caloric food (only water and black coffee) until 2PM, and none after 6PM. For those 4 hours, I could eat what I wanted. The best part for me was there was no taboo food during those 4 hours.
After my body adjusted, I found I ate less and less during those 4 hours. At first, I ate everything in sight… 🙂
Now, I practice a modified version of that. And I’m keeping my weight at a reasonable level, although I’d like to shave off another 10#.
I’m not sure that it affected my writing, but I sure feel better. That’s always a plus!
Good morning, Deb.
Wow. Losing 50 pounds due to an IF diet is impressive! And I’m sure feeling better contributes to your writing as well as your energy level. Thanks for letting us know.
It’s interesting that so many TKZers do some sort of fasting.
Have a great week.
Judaism has six fast days. Major fasts like Yom Kippur are 25 hours. Minor fasts (one was last week) are sunrise to sunset. I tend to only fast on Yom Kippur. Since being diagnosed as a Type II diabetic, I now check my sugar level on Yom Kippur afternoon. Health first.
Hi Alan,
I agree everyone must consider health concerns before making any decisions about fasting.
We also fast on Yom Kippur. We were in Israel during the autumn high feasts/festivals in 2013. It was even more special than usual to observe Yom Kippur in Jerusalem that year.