🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Origins of Fasting
Fasting has a long history in ancient China and India, serving as a health-preserving practice adopted by many advanced practitioners dedicated to spiritual cultivation. Ancient people believed that human survival relies on "Qi," which can be derived from various substances, with food being just one source. Nowadays, most people depend solely on food to sustain life. In ancient times, animals and humans only ate when hungry, whereas today eating has become a habit, often making it difficult to distinguish between what is truly needed by the body and what is consumed merely for pleasure.
Overeating disrupts the balance of bodily needs, placing significant strain on internal organs. Excess nutrients accumulate in the body, leading to obesity and toxin buildup.
Thus, one theory behind fasting is that perhaps we need less than what we consume. Additionally, humans obtain energy through multiple channels, such as air and water. A highly evolved life form should not rely solely on food for energy; developing multiple energy sources is essentially a training of life itself.
Ancient sages believed that short-term fasting could unlock other latent abilities in humans. Isn't that fascinating?
Yogurt Fasting Method
Yogurt is a favorite snack among many women. This time, yogurt takes center stage in weight loss.
During the fasting period, consume a fixed amount of yogurt for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Choose high-quality, reliable yogurt with a light flavor (e.g., unsweetened yogurt). If unbearable, a small amount of vanilla extract or lemon juice may be added to alter taste. The fasting duration is typically scheduled for one or two days over a weekend.
Weight Loss Mechanism:
The digestive system gets rest, and the internal environment is cleansed. Due to excessive eating, the body constantly accumulates undigested material, and constipation issues are increasingly common—this is actually caused by overeating. The gastrointestinal tract works nonstop, becoming overly fatigued, thus weakening its excretory function.
The yogurt fasting method allows the digestive tract to rest while cleaning the stomach and restoring the intestinal environment disrupted by overeating and irregular eating habits. It also significantly improves constipation. Moreover, fasting helps adjust and regulate the autonomic nervous system's balance throughout the body.
Modern people suffer from unbalanced lifestyles and various pressures, disrupting the equilibrium of the autonomic nervous system. When this balance is restored, metabolic functions become more active, making fat burning easier, thus naturally achieving weight loss. Compared to other fasting methods, fasting without solid food intake can feel uncomfortable. However, the "yogurt fasting method" provides a sensation of eating, making it a relatively easy-to-follow fasting approach.
Recommended for: Hypertensive patients, hyperlipidemic patients, early-stage coronary heart disease patients, constipation sufferers, obese individuals, those prone to frequent colds, and anyone who feels they cannot go without eating but dislikes cooking and still wants to lose weight.
Not recommended for: Anemic, hypotensive, or hypoglycemic patients.
Key Points for Weight Loss:
1. Maintain a positive and optimistic mindset, firmly believing that this fast will make you healthier and slimmer.
2. During the yogurt diet, eat only fresh fruit for breakfast, and 250 grams of low-fat yogurt for lunch and dinner. If hungry, consume low-calorie fruits or drink water. After ending the diet, avoid immediately eating greasy foods; start with liquid foods like milk or congee, then gradually resume normal meals.
3. Consume yogurt in moderation during fasting; do not overdo it.
4. During and around the fasting period, keep your lifestyle relaxed and simple; avoid intense anaerobic exercise.
Expert Commentary
According to American researchers, dairy products contain abundant calcium, a mineral known to aid in weight loss. People who regularly consume milk and dairy products are less likely to gain weight compared to those who don’t. To verify these findings, American nutritionists conducted a test showing that participants who consumed yogurt regularly lost about 5 kilograms—nearly double the weight loss of the group not consuming yogurt. Furthermore, the yogurt-consuming group reduced their body fat by two-thirds.
From a caloric perspective, drinking low-fat yogurt daily amounts to roughly 320 calories, far less than the average person’s daily intake of about 2,000 calories, making weight loss plausible. Additionally, yogurt has beneficial effects on digestion and bowel regulation, promoting bowel movements in those with chronic constipation, thereby reducing weight.
However, some nutritionists point out: Although recent discoveries about yogurt include lowering cholesterol and strengthening the immune system, there is no evidence suggesting it aids in weight reduction. While this method poses little risk in the short term, long-term use may lead to nutritional deficiencies. Moreover, if dietary and lifestyle habits remain unchanged, rebound weight gain is inevitable.