I posted this over at intermittent fasting but wanted to share it here to see if anyone else had a similar experience.
Before I started fasting food was just that, food. It was something that I consumed without much thought. Don’t get me wrong, I loved food. I always enjoyed trying new restaurants and cooking, but once I started IF and fasting in general my relationship with food changed.
The first change was that food now taste so much better than before. I swear my meals taste more flavorful and I am more cognizant of each ingredient that is used. I admire the nutrients that are contained in each meal and feel more satisfied after eating.
Eating is no longer just a scarfing down of what in front of me, but a time that I can sit and enjoy and be fully immersed in my meal. It sounds corny, but fasting has allowed me to gain a whole new level of appreciation and respect for food.
IMHO, this is one of the biggest cool factors actually. At no point in your life will food be more delicious than at the conclusion of a long fast. I will never forget the break meal after my first 5 day fast. It is cemented into my brain for eternity.
It was at the 5 Guys near my house. Bacon cheeseburger, order of cajun fries and a salted caramel shake. I swear to God I got a friggin head rush from the first bite of that burger. It was like a deliciousness orgasm. Even reflecting on it now brings a smile to my face. Food is amazing. It is a deeply ingrained part of our cultural and social experience, and fasting kicks things up a notch as far as appreciating it.
Note: And yes, I know, people tell you that you are bound to have all of these intestinal issues by eating a big meal after a fast, but I guess I just have a strong stomach because this has not been my experience.
In USA we have so much sugar in everything. After a long bout of ketosis I ate a plain old regular boring mcdonalds hamburger and I was blown away by how sweet the bun was. It tasted like a pastry or a cake. It was amazing!