Cuban Official Suggests Intermittent Fasting Amid Food Shortages

In a nation where countless Cubans struggle with food shortages due to the economic crisis and the government's ineptitude, Johana Tablada, an official from Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), has stirred up controversy by advocating for intermittent fasting. "Doctors, do you agree? I've tried it for short periods, and honestly, it's quite manageable," Tablada stated in a Facebook post. She follows a group called "I Am Successful and Millionaire," which promotes the notion that "three meals a day is the biggest lie we've been told."

Many perceive her remarks as a mockery of the dire situation faced by citizens who are often forced into fasting not by choice, but due to the scarcity of essential foods like rice, bread, milk, proteins, and even coffee. The majority of Cubans endure long lines to purchase food or survive on minimal rations, making Tablada's suggestion of fasting appear to trivialize the crisis by presenting it as a voluntary and healthy practice.

"It's the best thing in the world, as long as you meet all your macronutrient needs during eating hours. I did it successfully in Venezuela, lost 26 pounds in 3 months, and maintained my weight until pregnancy. It was amazing. I haven't been able to do it in Cuba," commented one user on her post.

This isn't the first time Tablada has sparked controversy. She recently defended the regime's funding for "medical cooperation," despite reports of labor exploitation in Cuban medical missions. Additionally, she dismissed allegations of Chinese spy bases on the island, despite evidence from an investigation in the United States.