Food abstinence refers to the act of refraining from consuming food or certain types of food for various reasons. You can use different synonyms to describe this behavior, depending on the context or reason. One word that can replace food abstinence is "fasting." It's commonly associated with certain religious and cultural practices where people abstain from eating or drinking for a specific period. Another synonym for food abstinence is "abstention," which has a more general application. It denotes the deliberate avoidance of something that might be considered harmful or inappropriate, including certain food groups or ingredients. Other synonyms for food abstinence include "self-denial," "restraint," "forbearance," and "discipline." They all suggest an intentional effort to control one's eating habits for personal or health reasons, such as weight loss, detox, or spiritual renewal.