The Longest I’ve Gone Without Food: A Personal Journey Through Hunger

During difficult times, I have pushed the boundaries of survival by fasting without solid food for extended periods. My longest instance of going without food was a remarkable three weeks, although I did not track meticulously. Such an experience was a necessity during a challenging phase, and although my body no longer tolerates such long periods without sustenance, the memory remains.

Fast forward to recent years, my tolerance to fasting drastically changed. Starting around five years ago, fasting began to have severe consequences, most notably bile acid diarrhea, which initiated around day seven and became a truly harrowing experience, especially at night. The effects were so intense that involuntary effluents would splash out with the slightest movement. Imagine waking up from a restless sleep to a pool of acid on your bed – not exactly a refreshing start to the day.

Additionally, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) manifested around day four, with my blood glucose dipping to the 60s, an alarming level. This led to feeling extremely weak and uncomfortable. To combat this, I relied on my partner, Hummingbird Val, who brought raisins for me. On rare occasions, I couldn't even make it outside to retrieve them, making this a particularly trying period. Over time, I learned to keep a stash of jerky, honey, and raisins, all useful in managing hypoglycemic episodes.

My body has now developed a response to fasting, which I often find distressing. It's a skill that came in handy years ago, namely during a divorce, but it's become a burden rather than a useful tool. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of proper nutrition for overall well-being.

Food Intake: A Casual Affair

My typical diet and eating habits reflect a casual approach to food consumption. I usually don't feel hungry, instead eating out of habit. The idea of a structured diet doesn't come naturally to me, and I maintain a fairly constant weight, often not eating until late afternoon or even midnight, depending on my daily activities. Sometimes, work or dedication to other tasks can make me overlook hunger until much later. Strangely, eight to 16 hours can pass by without issue, as I easily engross myself in my activities.

During times of national emergencies, such as martial law in the Philippines or natural disasters like hurricanes or tsunamis, I have not faced significant food scarcity. However, in an intense situation like staying awake for over 24 hours to complete a 15-page paper on the history of the MASER in 1988 for a mechanical engineering class, I managed just fine. The task was laborious, but the typewriter suited the mood of the moment, which was focused and driven.

Another memorable instance was when my jaw was wired shut for six weeks in 1989. During this time, I subsisted on bodybuilders' protein powder blended with milk and bananas, eventually requiring adjustments to my diet after the wires were removed.

My journey with fasting and food consumption highlights the importance of nutrition and the body's adaptability to different situations. It also underlines the need for balanced eating habits to avoid health issues stemming from prolonged fasting.