Who Should Not Be Fasting?
Part 6 of The Training Ground Guide to Fasting
After reading the previous articles in this series, you might be wondering:
"Should I try fasting?"
Maybe.
Maybe not.
That probably isn't the answer you were hoping for.
But it's the most honest one.
One of the biggest problems in health and fitness is the tendency to treat every successful strategy as though it should work for everyone.
Keto.
Paleo.
Low carb.
High carb.
Meditation.
Cold plunges.
Fasting.
Every approach seems to follow the same cycle.
Someone gets a great result.
They tell everyone.
Soon it becomes the solution for every problem.
The reality is that every nutrition strategy has situations where it may be helpful and situations where it may be inappropriate.
Fasting is no different.
At The Training Ground, we don't ask:
"Is fasting good?"
We ask:
"Is fasting appropriate for this person right now?"
Let's look at some situations where the answer may be no.
People With A History Of Eating Disorders
This is one of the most important considerations.
For individuals with a history of:
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Binge eating disorder
Disordered eating patterns
Fasting may become problematic.
Not because fasting causes eating disorders.
But because deliberate food restriction can sometimes reinforce unhealthy relationships with food.
For some individuals, fasting creates structure.
For others, it creates obsession.
This is why any nutrition strategy should be evaluated within the context of a person's relationship with food.
Weight loss should never come at the expense of psychological health.
Pregnant Or Breastfeeding Women
Pregnancy and breastfeeding significantly increase nutritional demands.
The body is supporting not only the mother but also the development and growth of another human being.
During these periods, nutritional adequacy becomes especially important.
For this reason, fasting protocols are generally not recommended unless specifically guided by a qualified healthcare professional.
This isn't the time to experiment with nutrition trends.
It's the time to ensure adequate intake of energy and nutrients.
Children And Adolescents
Growing bodies have different requirements than fully developed adults.
Periods of rapid growth increase nutritional needs.
Energy requirements are often high.
Nutrient requirements are often high.
For this reason, fasting is generally not considered an appropriate weight-management strategy for children or adolescents without medical supervision.
The priority should be supporting growth, development, physical activity, and healthy eating habits.
Individuals Who Are Underweight
This one sounds obvious, yet it is frequently overlooked.
If someone is already underweight or struggling to maintain body mass, further restricting food intake may not be beneficial.
In these situations, the challenge is often achieving adequate nutrition rather than reducing it.
The goal should be building health, not accumulating fasting hours.
People Recovering From Illness, Injury, Or Surgery
Recovery requires resources.
Your body needs energy.
Protein.
Micronutrients.
Fluids.
Sleep.
Whether recovering from:
Surgery
Significant illness
Major injury
Serious infection
The primary goal should usually be supporting recovery.
This doesn't necessarily mean fasting is always inappropriate.
However, deliberately restricting opportunities to consume nutrients may not be ideal during periods of increased physiological demand.
Individuals Taking Certain Medications
This is an area where many people underestimate the importance of medical guidance.
Certain medications are designed to be taken with food.
Others influence blood glucose regulation.
Some medications increase the risk of side effects when meals are skipped.
This is particularly relevant for individuals managing conditions such as diabetes.
If fasting is being considered alongside medication use, it should be discussed with the prescribing healthcare professional.
A fasting protocol that works perfectly for one person may be completely inappropriate for another.
Highly Active Athletes
This section often surprises people.
Many assume elite athletes must be fasting because it has become popular online.
In reality, many athletes spend significant effort ensuring they consume enough nutrition to support:
Training
Recovery
Performance
Adaptation
Can athletes fast?
Absolutely.
Some do.
However, athletes with high training volumes often struggle to consume sufficient energy and nutrients within restricted eating windows.
If fasting compromises:
Performance
Recovery
Muscle retention
Energy availability
It may become counterproductive.
The question isn't whether an athlete can fast.
The question is whether fasting helps or hinders the demands of their sport.
People Who Find Themselves Constantly Thinking About Food
This isn't discussed nearly enough.
Some people thrive with structure.
Others become consumed by it.
If fasting causes you to spend your entire day:
Watching the clock
Counting down to your next meal
Obsessing over food
Feeling anxious about eating windows
It may not be improving your quality of life.
The best nutrition strategy should reduce stress, not become a new source of it.
The Difference Between "Can't" And "Shouldn't"
It's important to understand something.
Most people in the categories above can physically fast.
The question isn't whether they are capable of doing it.
The question is whether it is the most appropriate strategy for their current circumstances.
Those are two very different things.
Just because something can be done doesn't automatically mean it should be done.
What We See At The Training Ground
One of the most interesting observations we've made over the years is this:
The people who get the best results aren't necessarily following the most advanced nutrition strategy.
They're usually following the most appropriate one.
Sometimes that includes fasting.
Sometimes it doesn't.
The biggest improvements in health often come from:
Eating more protein
Improving food quality
Increasing physical activity
Sleeping better
Managing stress
Becoming more consistent
Those behaviours often produce substantial results regardless of whether fasting is involved.
The Question We Prefer
When people ask us:
"Should I fast?"
We rarely answer immediately.
Instead, we ask:
What are you trying to achieve?
What does your current nutrition look like?
How is your relationship with food?
How are your energy levels?
How are you sleeping?
How are you training?
The answers to those questions are usually more important than the fasting protocol itself.
The Bottom Line
Fasting can be an effective tool.
It can help some people:
Lose weight
Simplify nutrition
Improve adherence
Manage eating habits
However, fasting is not universally appropriate.
Extra caution may be warranted for:
Individuals with a history of eating disorders
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Children and adolescents
Underweight individuals
Those recovering from illness, injury, or surgery
Individuals taking certain medications
Athletes with high energy demands
Anyone whose relationship with food worsens while fasting
The goal is not to find the most extreme strategy.
The goal is to find the most appropriate strategy.
At The Training Ground, we believe good nutrition should support your health, your training, and your life.
Not become another source of stress.
And if you've followed this entire series, you'll probably notice a recurring theme:
The best nutrition strategy isn't the one that wins arguments online.
It's the one that helps you consistently move toward your goals.
Final Thoughts On Fasting
Throughout this series, we've explored:
Whether coffee breaks a fast
What happens during a fast
The reality of autophagy
Fasted training
Fasting versus calorie restriction
Situations where fasting may not be appropriate
If there is one lesson we hope you take away, it's this:
Fasting is a tool.
Not a shortcut.
Not a requirement.
Not a magic solution.
Just a tool.
And like every tool, its value depends on how, when, and why it is used.
Read The Guide To Fasting Articles
Is Fasting Better Than Calorie Restriction?
Who Should Not Be Fasting? (You are here)
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