3 Fasting Mistakes To Avoid & What To Do Instead, From Dave Asprey

Below, Asprey uncovers three of the most common fasting mistakes he sees and what to do instead: 

You start to believe that more is better, when really you might have needed less rigidity to see results. "The reality is that Goldilocks was right—it needs to be just right." It may take some guess-and-test to find the exact window that works for you (and you might even need to edit said window along the way), but don't be afraid to take hours away from your fast rather than adding on more and more time between meals. "You've got to understand the biology of fasting, which says just because it's good to do it, that doesn't mean it's good to do it all the time," Asprey adds. (Find our full beginner's guide to fasting here.)

In true Bulletproof fashion, Asprey's a fan of healthy fats to keep you satisfied throughout the fast (you can even add a little MCT oil to your coffee if you're feeling particularly peckish during the day). Many other experts also recommend protein and fiber—you know, satiating nutrients that won't have your stomach gnarled with hunger midday. "I will tell you if you eat kale before a fast, the fast will be harder," Asprey says. (A few expert-approved fasting meal plans here.) 

That's not to say women shouldn't fast at all—many see amazing results!—but it's important to notice the signs your body is trying to tell you so you know when to scale back. "Skipping breakfast, having a late lunch, just three times a week. Maybe it's all you need," offers Asprey. "Maybe you just do it Monday through Friday, and on the weekends you have the gluten-free waffles with your kids at brunch." Be kind to your body and its needs. 

There's so much wiggle room with fasting—not everyone's fast will look exactly the same, and it takes some experimenting to find what works for you. That said, there are some general mistakes you can make on the fasting front—more about the process itself than the timing specifics—that are important to avoid.