Most of us have concluded that Rishi Sunak is a very private man. We know very little about the Prime Minister’s personal life behind the door of No10 or amongst the grounds of his constituency home in Yorkshire.
But we have now received a tantalising insight into his diet which is currently raising more questions than it answers.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Rishi revealed that from 5pm on a Sunday afternoon until 5am on Tuesday, the man tasked with making the country’s biggest decisions consumes no food and has a diet of only water, tea or black coffee.
Let’s be honest, this is not a man who struggles with his weight and perhaps fasting is his secret weapon.
Rishi revealed that he fasts for around 36 hours
PA
There are also rumours that he uses a static bike between meetings which all begins to paint a picture of a very disciplined, potentially obsessive, 21st century Prime Minister.
Long gone are the days of Winston Churchill puffing on a cigar, and enjoying a ‘pint of champagne’ which in his words is ‘enough for two at lunch and one at dinner’.
That being said, Boris Johnson was also open about his habits, going as far as to say he was “too fat” when he was struck down with Covid.
Abstemious Rishi is clearly a driven disciplined and self-censoring individual.
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Why does this matter? He is accused of failing to connect with the British electorate but this insight about his diet has made me consider whether that is simply because we don’t know him.
His weekly ritual of foregoing food and drink has had many commentators shriek their outrage that policy decisions may be erroneously taken under the zombifying effects of low blood sugar.
I don’t see it that way.
There is a growing body of evidence that regular fasting improves mental acuity, physical well-being and indeed is more likely to lead to a longer and healthier life.
After all, we remain merely mammals only a few thousand years removed from our cave-men ancestors. The human body is designed to endure extended periods of hunger and we have become fat and lazy thanks to the continual access to snacks.
Fasting could help reduce Rishi's risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer
PADisciples of fasting (and it is becoming a religion of its own) will tell you that they start to feel poised for action.
As the body gears up to go and hunt a woolly mammoth for dinner, our senses are heightened, our alertness improves, and our appetite for danger increases.
This is no bad thing if you are the Prime Minister already running the adrenaline gauntlet.
Rishi may only have to ring a bell for a man with a tray of sandwiches to arrive, but he recognises that connecting with his physiology renders him more powerful.
Of course, all of my speculation may be nonsense. This may be purely a demonstration of Rishi’s devotion to Hinduism, referred to by those in the faith as Sanātana Dharma.
Most British people know more about the King’s Prostate than the ins and outs of Hinduism and so this insight into the PM’s week is allowing greater contemplation of the world’s oldest recognised faith, which saw Mahatma Gandhi amongst its members.
According to Hindi practices, fasting can be done to celebrate festivals and honour holy days with some Hindus fasting during inauspicious occasions to make them psychologically stronger and counter negative forces.
From a health point of view, fasting became a trendy fashion recently thanks to the 5-2 diet made popular by Dr Michael Mosley who claims it has been proven to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Traditionally, Hindus worship the Lord Shiva on Monday, hoping to have their dreams fulfilled.
Combined with the power of good luck brought by his Ganesha statuette on his desk, could the PM have his wishes for the passing of the Rwanda bill, fixing the small boats crisis and succeeding in the upcoming General Election realised? Only time will tell.
