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This month we'll look at the different types of fasts: short-term and daily fasts. For the purpose of this Tip, a short-term fast is defined as continuous fasting for a set period of time, typically 1 to 7 days. The basic definition of fasting is to go without food, so the most fundamental type of short-term fast is the water only fast. This fast gives rise to other types of short-term fasts, like liquid-only fasts of water & coffee/tea; water & 100% juice drinks; water & broth; and so on. Another short-term fasting option is to consume a limited number of calories each day of the fast. This method makes longer fasts easier because it provides some energy each day throughout the fast. This is also the reason that daily fasts are easier to follow. Basically a daily fast involves limiting eating to only a certain part of the day. A daily fast that has become popular in the last few years is the 16:8 fast. On this fast you're basically skipping one meal every day, so you fast for 16 hours and then eat sensibly for the other 8 hours. Other examples of daily fasts are the 12:12 and the day/night fasts in which all calories are consumed in 12 hours or daylight hours respectively. Clearly, there is a lot of flexibility in the types of fasts available, so you may want to try a few to see which works best for you. Remember, should you decide to incorporate fasting into your lifestyle be sure to consult your doctor first, especially if you have any health conditions or concerns.