Fasting for weight loss: Does it work? How does it compare to other diets? Why does it matter? These are the questions I have set outto answer in this book, and to do it, I’ve turned to the medical literature and searched through the available evidence.

Déjeuner literally means “breaking the fast,” just like the word breakfast in English. The difference is that, in France, this is the word used for “lunch.” That the French ended up naming their midday meal using a word that seems to indicate fasting until noon is fascinating for someone like me, who has been skipping breakfast for over 30 years.

Altogether, a provocative invitation to take control of what matters most: our health.