Sonali Bendre He is currently enjoying the positive response to his crime thriller series ‘Raakh’, which has received appreciation from viewers, critics and industry peers alike. Amidst the show’s success, the actor recently opened up about his fitness regimen, eating habits and his journey through cancer treatment.Bendre revealed that she follows a strict intermittent fasting routine and is mindful of her food intake. When the host noted that he barely ate during their interaction, the actor explained that he had just finished a long period of fasting.Recalling the moment, he said that when they had shared a meal before, he had probably been fasting for more than 16 hours. At 51, Sonali Bendre follows a disciplined eating routine centered around intermittent fasting. The actor usually consumes only one and a half meals a day, occasionally increasing it to two full meals. Instead of eating at regular intervals throughout the day, she prefers to keep her meals limited and maintains a fasting window of 6 to 8 p.m.In a conversation with Mashable India, Sonali said, “I fast for 18-20 hours,” Bendre revealed, adding that she follows intermittent fasting. She also shared that she only eats “one and a half meals a day.” Sometimes he eats two meals a day, but most of the time, he fasts for 18-20 hours and only eats one and a half meals a day.In one of her posts on X, Bendre had written about how autophagy, the body’s cellular recycling system, helped her heal and that she follows her to this day. “In 2018, when I was diagnosed with cancer, this study helped me a lot. My naturopath introduced me to it, I researched it, and that’s what I followed, autophagy for healing. And I continue to follow it to date.”The actor also reflected on the emotional impact of being diagnosed with stage IV metastatic cancer in 2018, when the disease had spread to his brain. While she admitted the diagnosis was terrifying, she said she quickly realized fear wasn’t going to help her navigate the situation.“Thodi der ka excitement hai [You feel scared for a short while]” he added. According to Bendre, focusing on fear only takes up valuable time. She explained that after the initial shock, she chose to face the reality of her illness and remained committed to her treatment journey.In a previous appearance on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, Bendre recalled that cancer was not something she expected doctors to diagnose when her initial tests were performed. “It wasn’t a conversation that everyone had,” he said, adding that it happened to “somebody somewhere.” He wanted to avoid rumors and speculation; therefore, he shared the news on Instagram. “I wanted it to be my narrative,” he added.The actor also admitted that his first reaction to the diagnosis was denial. Looking back, he regrets that the disease was not detected earlier. “If I had caught it early, I wouldn’t have to live with these side effects for the rest of my life,” she shared, referring to the lasting effects of her treatment.Bendre credited her husband, filmmaker Goldie Behl, for immediately stepping in and making sure she received the best care possible. After her diagnosis, he flew her to New York for treatment, a gesture for which she is deeply grateful.“I can only thank him and nothing else,” he said. Since beating cancer, Bendre has consistently spoken about the importance of healthy living, regular exercise and clean eating. He has also used his platform to raise awareness about cancer and encourage people to prioritize early detection and timely treatment.