Methods

Eat Stop Eat: 24-Hour Fasting Method Explained

Learn about the Eat Stop Eat method of intermittent fasting. Discover how 24-hour fasts work, their benefits, and how to implement this protocol.

11 min readUpdated January 2, 2026

Eat Stop Eat is an intermittent fasting protocol involving one or two 24-hour fasts per week. Created by Brad Pilon, this method focuses on periodic extended fasting rather than daily time-restricted eating.

How Eat Stop Eat Works

You fast for a full 24 hours once or twice per week. For example, you might eat dinner at 7 PM on Monday, then not eat again until 7 PM on Tuesday. On non-fasting days, you eat normally.

Benefits of 24-Hour Fasting

  • Significant autophagy activation
  • Deep metabolic reset
  • Creates substantial weekly calorie deficit
  • Flexibility - choose any days to fast
  • Only 1-2 challenging days per week
  • No daily fasting required

24-Hour Fast Schedule Example

  • Sunday 7 PM: Eat your last meal
  • Monday: Fast all day (water, coffee, tea only)
  • Monday 7 PM: Break fast with normal dinner
  • Eat normally Tuesday through Saturday
  • Repeat weekly with 1-2 fasting days
TipSchedule your 24-hour fasts on busy days. Staying occupied makes the time pass faster and helps manage hunger.

Who Should Try Eat Stop Eat?

This method works well for people who prefer longer but less frequent fasts, have experience with shorter fasting periods, and want flexibility in choosing their fasting days.

Related Topics

eat stop eat24 hour fast24 hour fastingfull day fastperiodic fasting

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any fasting regimen.

Ready to Start Intermittent Fasting?

Get our complete beginner's guide and start your fasting journey today.