# Fasting State --- Our bodies enter a **fasting state** (or a **post-absorptive state**) several hours after eating. It is generally a [[catabolism|catabolic]] state, that breaks down stored nutrients (such as [[glucagon]]. We generally enter a fasting state when our [[gastrointestinal tract|GI tract]] is empty and our [[blood glucose|blood sugar]] is low. This is contrasted with our [[fed state]]. ![[fasting state.png]] ___