I was a student in a catholic school for 12 years from elementary until senior high school. Actually they teach about fasting and I think catholic doing fasting starting from ash wednesday holy saturday, a day before we celebrate Jesus rise from death(about 40 days I guess), every year. I might wrong on the date though, its a very long time ago.

And during fasting they also commited themselves to stay away from certain thing, such thing like smoking, or using salt for their cooked food, meats, etc. They also commit themselves toward pray and worshipping during these days.

I'm trying to fasting but I found that fasting at work day don't do me much good. Too many things distract my mind from prayer, can't help it. I found I can get the best at weekend, where I can dedicate most of my times to pray and read Bible. Its not yet a habit for me. I just start doing this last weekend and I still eat twice a day, I used to eat 4 times a day sometimes + snacks at night :D . I start at 6 PM or 9 PM and end it at 3 PM or 6 PM in the next day.

My experience with fasting, first the hunger and then I found its much easier to pray when I fasting. Much much easier despite the hunger.