The Snake Diet: What is it and What are the Benefits?

May 17, 2021
Alexandra Uren

Your diet can have a huge impact on your physical, mental and spiritual well being. Fasting is used all around the world to help beat cravings, improve focus and aid concentration.

The Snake Diet is one such method of eating that can lead to rapid weight loss and a range of health benefits.

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What is the Snake Diet?

The Snake Diet was invented by Cole Robinson, a fitness trainer and self-proclaimed fasting coach. It’s based on the belief that humans have historically had to endure periods of famine, and that our bodies are able to withstand and even thrive off of long periods of time without food.

The Snake Diet isn’t for the faint-hearted! This diet delivers drastic results and is often used by those wanting to lose large amounts of weight in a short amount of time.

The Snake Diet, invented by Cole Robinson, is based on the belief that humans would have historically fasted for long periods of time when going through famine or food shortages. For this reason, those who follow the Snake Diet believe that the human body is capable of surviving on just a few meals each week.

Those embarking on the Snake Diet fast initially for as long as they can, drinking only electrolyte juice. After 48 hours of fasting, dieters have a feeding window of 1-2 hours. After this time, another period of fasting starts.

Fasters can drink electrolyte juice (or Snake Juice) which can be made at home. It’s made using water, Himalayan pink salt, salt-free potassium chloride and food-grade Epsom salts.

How to Start the Snake Diet?

The snake diet is divided into 3 different phases. The first phase puts your body into ketosis, the second phase is used for rapid weight loss, and the third phase should help you maintain your ideal body weight.

Phase One

The initial fast is around 48 hours, or longer if you can hack it! Dieters should supplement their fast with apple cider vinegar and homemade Snake Juice.

After 48 hours, there’s a 2 hour fasting window, where dieters can eat what they like.

After the 1-2 hour eating window, dieters continue to fast for 72 hours, followed by a second feeding window.

The aim is to put your body into a state of ketosis; where your body burns fat for energy instead of sugar.

Phase Two

Phase 2 is a cycle of fasting for up to 96 hours, with the fasts again broken by single meals.

This phase is supposed to imitate the eating patterns of animals in the wild, with very long periods of time spent without food.

Dieters are encouraged to fast for as long as possible, and continue cycling though the fasts and single meals until they reach their goal weight.

Phase Three

Phase 3 is the maintenance phase. This phase requires dieters to fast for 24-48 hours at a time, with single meals in between each fast.

This phase of the diet is supposed to be long-term, designed to help you maintain the weight loss you achieved in phases 1 and 2.

Is the Snake Diet Beneficial?

There’s several benefits of fasting, although this way of eating is not recommended for everyone. The Snake Diet may tempt those who seek to lose weight quickly, and it generally produces rapid results.

Fasting has long been thought of as beneficial, and it’s becoming a more and more popular way of eating. Fasting is a great way to help control blood sugar and it can even help reduce inflammation.

Some studies have shown that fasting can improve blood pressure and lower cholesterol, as well as helping to prevent neurodegenerative disorders.

While no one likes the feeling of being hungry, the body can get used to it surprisingly quickly. Many people say that fasting can help them to focus and increase alertness. While the initial few days are the hardest, fasters are often rewarded with a clearer mindset and increased energy.

Those who regularly practice meditation can find the Snake Diet helpful, as fasting can help increase focus and concentration

What are the Cons of the Snake Diet?

The Snake Diet isn’t for everyone, and it should be undertaken with great care. Those suffering with eating disorders can find it distorts their relationship with food further, offering them a false sense of control.

Fasting until you can’t fast anymore can be very dangerous, especially for those who already struggle with their eating.

The other downside to the Snake Diet is that it’s unsustainable. While the maintenance phase is supposed to be long term, this restrictive style of eating can be very difficult to keep up. Many people struggle to stick to their fast, and the constant cycle of fasting and eating can lead to unhealthy eating patterns and encourage binge eating.

Finally, the side effects of fasting can be very damaging. While those with inactive lifestyles can get away with eating very little food, long periods of time spent fasting isn’t particularly compatible with modern life.

We need food as fuel, and day after day without food can negatively impact our mental health, physical health and relationships with those around us.

Those wishing to embark on the Snake Diet should do so after consulting with their doctor.

Key Facts

Your diet can have a huge effect on your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
The Snake Diet is based on the notion that humans historically would have lived with very little food, and it encourages participants to eat as animals would in the wild, with the addition of an electrolyte drink known as Snake Juice.
The Snake Diet is made up of 3 phases, with the first phase designed to put your body into ketosis, the second phase for rapid weight loss, and the third phase for maintenance.
The Snake Diet is comprised of fasting cycles, with each fast lasting up to 48 hours at a time.
This diet has a range of benefits, and many people report an improved mood, clearer head and increased energy.. It can be used to supplement a meditation practice, as you may find it easier to focus after a few days of very little food.
The Snake Diet shouldn’t be undertaken by anybody with a poor relationship with food or eating disorders.
While fasting can be hugely beneficial, it can also be very harmful. Consult with your doctor before embarking on any restrictive diet.