Frequently asked questions

Should I eat extra to “build up reserves” before starting a fast?

A: No. In fact, that’s one of the fastest ways to make the first days of your fast harder, not easier.
Here’s why:

Your body already has reserves.
Unless you’re severely underweight or malnourished, you’re carrying plenty of stored fuel in the form of fat and glycogen. That’s what fasting is designed to tap. Eating extra before you start doesn’t add useful energy—it just delays the switch to burning your own stores.
Overeating spikes insulin.
A big pre-fast feast ramps up blood sugar and insulin. When you stop eating, insulin takes time to drop, so your body is slow to start fat-burning (lipolysis). That means more hunger pangs, more fatigue, and a rougher adaptation period.
Fasting is a metabolic shift, not a starvation contest.
The goal is to slide gracefully into a low-insulin, fat-burning state. A clean, balanced meal before you begin is better than a “last supper.”
Psychology matters.
Eating to “store up” sends your brain the message that fasting is dangerous and deprivation is coming. Entering a fast calmly, with a sense of sufficiency, keeps the nervous system more stable.
Best practice:

Eat normally the day before.
Avoid heavy sugar and starch in your last meal.
Make your final meal light, nutrient-rich, and easy to digest—think vegetables, moderate protein, and healthy fat.
Hydrate well.
Bottom line:
Don’t load the pantry before locking the door—you want to walk in with a calm system, not a sugar crash waiting to happen.