England's champion all-rounder spent the best part of five hours with an empty stomach in the first Test because Stokes cannot face food, at lunch or tea, if he is in the middle of an innings.
"I can't eat when I'm not out, I don't know why," he said.
His abstinence causes plenty of consternation among England's medical staff, especially in the stamina-sapping conditions of the sub-continent, where cramp can strike without fluid and calorie intake.
The specialists just have to put up with it, though - like during Stokes' outstanding first-innings century in England's draw in Rajkot - because while Stokes is laying off the food, it means he is instead feasting on runs.
There were 128 of them by the time he was done on day two of the first Test, and ready at last for a naan bread or a peck of rice.
Until then, no matter what England's nutritionists tried, they could not tempt him.
"Our physio, and strength and conditioning and doctor were trying to force-feed me pretty much," said Stokes.
"But I literally can't eat, not even a protein shake or anything.
"I've never been able to do it."
In what he believes was his first-ever innings of 200 balls or more, Stokes' regular stretching at the crease proved his body knew he needed nourishment even if he did not.
"That was the reason for the cramp, so they're pretty much on my case to make sure I eat whenever I can," he added.
"It doesn't really affect you in England because it is always freezing ... (but) cramping up does relate back to not eating".
It does not help on this tour either that the spicy fare of India is not his favourite.
"I don't like this type of food. I was trying to eat naan bread, daal and rice. But I can't eat anything - not a banana, nothing," he said.
"It was hot, and I was cramping up towards the end and had to go off when we went out to field."
However his diet was affected by a breakthrough century in alien conditions which previously would not have played to his strengths, Stokes has taken great heart from adapting his game so successfully against world-class opposition.
"It's good to know I can play the different role to the one people associate with me, trying to hit fours and sixes once I get past a certain score," he said.
"I've always known I can hit the big shots, so I've tightened up the other things which don't come as easy - the defensive side of it and rotating the strike."
Share
