Final answer:
Fasting is abstaining from food and/or drink or limiting it for a specific purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abstaining from food and/or drink or limiting it for a specific purpose is typically referred to as fasting or dietary abstinence. This practice can be rooted in various traditions, religious beliefs, and health regimes. Food proscriptions, or taboos, often help to define a cultural or religious identity and can involve abstaining from certain foods due to spiritual beliefs or dietary laws.
For instance, Hindu vegetarianism is inspired by the principle of ahimsa, where avoiding harm to all living things is central, while Jewish kashrut laws dictate avoiding certain foods, such as pork and shellfish, or mixing meat and dairy.