A person should ideally fast as often as 2 days a week although some may only want to fast as often as 3 days a week or 3 days every few weeks.
Most people separate their fasting days in the week and may fast on a Monday and Thursday and eat regularly on the other days.
When fasting there should also be at least 1 non fasting day between fasting days.
To do a fast properly start by gradually reducing your food intake instead of suddenly just stopping your intake of food and plan the fast out so that you have enough time between your last and first bite of food.
For example to do a 3 day fast properly and safely you should plan the 3 day fast out so that you have at least 72 hours between your last and first bite of food.
Also a 3 day water fast means that for the 3 days you will be only drinking water and no other food or other drinks.
You should also consult with your doctor first before doing the 3 day fast, especially if you have any other underlying medical conditions like heart problems, a history of eating disorders or diabetes as the doctor can assess whether a 3 day fast is suitable for you and provide you with guidance based on your individual health.
When doing a 3 day fast you should also ease into the fast and don't suddenly stop eating and instead gradually reduce your food intake for a few days leading up to the 3 day fast.
And before the 3 day fast, eat balanced meals that are rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, health fats and proteins to provide sustained energy.
And ensure that you are well hydrated in the days leading up to the 3 day fast by increasing your water intake and select a period of time when you can minimize your stress levels, rest and relax during the 3 day fast.
Through the fast you should drink plenty of water and aim for at least 2 to 3 liters per day of water.
If you fast for 3 days and only drink water your body will go into fat burning mode as the body will start to use the fat in your body to provide energy to the body.
You can survive for 2 to 3 months by drinking water and having no food depending on how much fat you have stored in your body for energy.
However if you're underweight then the longer you go without food the less chance you have at survival.
Because a water fast restricts calories, you will likely lose a lot of weight quickly.
Unfortunately, a lot of the weight you lose in the beginning may come from water, carbs, and even a small amount of muscle mass .
If you only eat one meal a day or a partial meal a day your blood pressure and cholesterol may increase and you won't have as much energy as you would if you had eaten at least 2 meals a day or 3 meals a day.
Some people do intermittent fasting by eating only one meal during the day or a partial meal but avoid eating the rest of the day.
And some people will only eat one meal a day when they want to lose weight and they have been fine.
However if you can and are not fasting or looking to lose weight you should eat at least 2 meals a day or 3 when possible.
Also if you have diabetes or cardiovascular issues then eating one meal a day may cause health problems and make you sicker.