The No Breakfast Plan and the Fasting-Cure ebook

The No Breakfast Plan and the Fasting-Cure by Edward Hooker Dewey, M.D., is a pioneering health and wellness book first published in the late 19th century. In this influential work, Dr. Dewey challenges the conventional wisdom of his time by advocating for the elimination of breakfast and the therapeutic use of fasting as a means to restore and maintain health. Drawing on his extensive medical experience and numerous case studies, Dewey presents a compelling argument that the common practice of eating three meals a day, especially breakfast, is unnecessary and often detrimental to well-being. The book is divided into two main sections. The first part, The No Breakfast Plan, details Dewey’s observations and theories regarding the benefits of skipping breakfast. He asserts that the body is naturally not ready for food upon waking and that abstaining from the morning meal allows the digestive system to rest and recover from the previous day’s intake. Dewey provides practical advice for adopting this regimen, addresses common concerns and objections, and shares testimonials from patients who experienced improved health, increased energy, and mental clarity after eliminating breakfast from their daily routine. The second part, The Fasting-Cure, explores the broader concept of fasting as a therapeutic tool. Dewey discusses the physiological and psychological effects of fasting, emphasizing its potential to cure a wide range of ailments, from digestive disorders to chronic diseases. He offers detailed guidance on how to undertake fasts of varying lengths, what to expect during the process, and how to safely break a fast. Throughout the book, Dewey supports his claims with case histories, personal anecdotes, and references to contemporary medical literature. Written in a clear and persuasive style, The No Breakfast Plan and the Fasting-Cure is both a practical manual and a passionate manifesto for a radical approach to diet and health. Dewey’s ideas, though controversial in his era, anticipated many modern trends in intermittent fasting and minimalist eating. The book remains a fascinating historical document and a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in nutrition, alternative medicine, and the history of health reform movements.