Sonali Bendre is currently enjoying the positive response to her crime thriller series ‘Raakh’, which has received appreciation from viewers, critics and industry peers alike. Amid the show’s success, the actor recently spoke about her fitness regimen, eating habits and her journey through cancer treatment.Bendre revealed that she follows a strict intermittent fasting routine and is mindful of her food intake. When the host observed that she barely ate during their interaction, the actor explained that she had just ended a long fasting period.Recalling the moment, she said that when they had previously shared a meal, she had likely been fasting for over 16 hours. At 51, Sonali Bendre follows a disciplined eating routine centred around intermittent fasting. The actor typically consumes just 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 18 to 20 hours.In a conversation with Mashable India, Sonali said, “I do 18-20 hours of fasting,” Bendre revealed, adding that she follows intermittent fasting. She also shared that she eats only “one-and-a-half meals a day”. Sometimes, she has two meals a day, but most of the time, she fasts for 18-20 hours and eats only one-and-a-half meals a day.In one of her posts on X, Bendre had written about how autophagy, body’s cellular recycling system, helped her heal and that she follows it till date. “In 2018, when I was diagnosed with cancer, this study really helped me. My naturopath introduced me to it, I researched it, and this is what I followed, autophagy for healing. And I continue to follow it till 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 her brain. While she admitted that the diagnosis was frightening, she said she quickly realised that fear would not help her navigate the situation.“Thodi der ka emotion hai [You feel scared for a short while],” she added. According to Bendre, dwelling on fear only takes away valuable time. She explained that after the initial shock, she chose to confront the reality of her illness and remained committed to her treatment journey.In an earlier appearance on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, Bendre recalled that cancer was not something she had expected doctors to diagnose when her initial tests were conducted. “It was not a conversation everybody was having,” she said, adding that it happened to “someone somewhere”. She wanted to avoid rumours and speculations; hence, she shared the news on Instagram. “I wanted it to be my narrative,” she added.The actor also admitted that her first reaction to the diagnosis was denial. Looking back, she expressed regret that the disease was not detected sooner. “If I had caught it early, I wouldn’t have to live with these side effects all my life,” she shared, referring to the lasting effects of her treatment.Bendre credited her husband, filmmaker Goldie Behl, for stepping in immediately and ensuring she received the best possible care. After her diagnosis, he took her to New York for treatment, a gesture she remains deeply grateful for.“I can only thank him for it and nothing else,” she said. Since overcoming cancer, Bendre has consistently spoken about the importance of healthy living, regular exercise and clean eating. She has also used her platform to raise awareness about cancer and encourage people to prioritise early detection and timely treatment.