A “BREATHARIAN” mum-and-dad of two have barely eaten for nine years as they live off “the universe’s energy”.

Husband and wife Akahi Ricardo and Camila Castello believe food and water is not necessary and that humans can be sustained solely by the energy of the universe, The Sun reports.

The couple — who have a five-year-old son and two-year-old daughter together — have survived on little else besides a piece of fruit or vegetable broth just three times per week since 2008.

And Ms Castello even practised a Breatharian pregnancy — not eating anything during the entire nine months that she carried her first child.

The married couple-of-nine-years claim that their “food-free lifestyle” has improved their health and emotional wellbeing as well as meaning they can spend money on travelling rather than the weekly shop.

Ms Castello, 34 who lives between California, USA and Ecuador with her husband, explained: “Humans can easily be without food — as long as they are the connected to the energy that exists in all things and through breathing.

“For three years, Akahi and I didn’t eat anything at all and now we only eat occasionally like if we’re in a social situation or if I simply want to taste a fruit.

“With my first child, I practised a Breatharian pregnancy. Hunger was a foreign sensation to me so I fully lived on light and ate nothing.

“My blood tests during all three trimesters were impeccable and I gave birth to a healthy, baby boy.

“Since Breatharianism, I feel healthier and happier that I’ve ever done before. When I was younger, my weight fluctuated but now after having two children, my body bounced back to its natural shape immediately.

“I never suffer from PMS symptoms anymore and I feel more emotionally stable.”

Husband, Mr Ricardo, 36, believes that Breatharianism is the ideal way to slash people’s food shopping bills.

Mr Ricardo — who teaches courses about Breatharianism with his wife — explained: “There is a freedom that comes with not being attached or dependent on food.

“Obviously, our living costs are a lot less than most families and that has allowed us to spend our money on things that really matter like travelling and exploring together.

“It’s given us a clear sense of what we want in life. Anyone can live a Breatharian lifestyle and feel the benefits. It’s not about never eating food again, it’s about understanding cosmic nourishment (not just physical nourishment) and living without limits.”

The couple met in 2005 and got married three years later in 2008, later the same year they discovered Breatharianism through a friend.

The pair had to slowly work their way from vegetarianism to a vegan diet and then to just eating fruit before starting the “21 Day Breatharian Process”.

In this process, during the first seven days nothing is consumed, except air, the next seven days some water and diluted juice, and the last seven days diluted juice and water.

Mr Ricardo said: “The 21 Day Breatharian Process was a powerful one and stepping stone into realising the infinite potential that lies within.

“It led us to explore the breath and its presence within our lives, showing us that we could easily be without food as long as we had air.

“I used to eat a lot — but I haven’t felt hungry since that process in 2008.”

For the next three years, the couple did not eat solid food at all — even through Ms Castello’s first pregnancy in 2011.

These days they have relaxed the rules slightly, occasionally eating so that they can share the experience with their two children.

Ms Castello explained: “I was completely open to changing my food-free lifestyle when I first became pregnant because my child came first. But I just never felt hungry so I ended up practising a fully Breatharian pregnancy.

“I didn’t feel the need or desire to eat solid food during the entire nine months and so I only ate 5 times, all of which were in social situations.

“And I knew my son would be nourished enough by my love and this would allowed him to grow healthily in my womb.

“I went for regular pregnancy check-ups and my doctor confirmed the above average growth of a very healthy baby boy.

“After I gave birth to my son, I wanted to be able to explore the joy of food in small quantities with my children as they grew.

“So during my second pregnancy, I ate a bit of fruit or vegetable broth during the nine months. It was still a lot less than the recommended intake for a pregnant woman but I gave birth to a healthy daughter.

“Now, Akahi and I eat very sporadically — perhaps 3 or 4 times per week at the most. I might have a few vegetables, a juice or a bite of an apple with my children. Sometimes we have a glass of water too.

“Whenever I eat now, it’s not because I’m hungry — I just don’t remember that sensation.”

The couple’s children aren’t forced to practise Breatharianism — although the couple insist that their kids understand the practice.

Mr Ricardo said: “Our children are aware of Breatharianism and the energy that exists in the universe and in themselves.

“But we would never try to change them and we let them eat whatever they want — whether that be juices, vegetables, pizza or ice-cream!

“We want them to explore the different tastes and have a healthy relationship with food as they grow.

“It would be unfair to impose Breatharianism upon our children now but maybe as they grow, they will get deeper into the practices.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was republished here with permission.