What Is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent Fasting is one of the world’s most popular health trends that people are using to lose weight and improve their health. It is an eating pattern that incorporates fasting and eating cycles. It is not a diet but more of a different way of eating that specifies when you should eat not necessarily what you should. However, it is recommended to try to eat a healthy, well balanced diet with fewer carbohydrates. Research shows that this method is a way to manage your weight and prevent, and even reverse, some forms of disease. There are a variety of different ways to incorporate intermittent fasting but the most common involves fasting for 16 hours, twice a week.
Intermittent Fasting Methods
There are several different options when it comes to actually doing intermittent fasting, but they all involve splitting the day or week into eating and fasting periods. During the fasting periods, you eat either very little or nothing at all. By reducing your calorie intake, it should cause weight loss as long as you do not eat too much during the eating periods.
Three of the most popular methods include:
- 16/8 Method – This method involves skipping breakfast and eating for only a period of 8 hours. Then, for the next 16 hours, you fast and then start over.
- 5:2 Diet – This method involves consuming only 500-600 calories on two consecutive days during the week. The other five days, you would eat as reasonable meals.
- Eat – Stop – Eat – In this method, you would fast for 24 hours once or twice a week. The other days you would eat reasonable meals.
The 16/8 method is the most popular and the easiest fasting method for people to stick to and complete. You may feel hungry or even cranky when you begin, but after 2 to 4 weeks, your body will become accustomed to it. Weight loss is the most common reason whey people try intermittent fasting. But, it can also have a positive impact on insulin levels, fat loss, and waist circumference (reduction) just to name a few. Many people stick to this method because they find that they feel better and have more energy.
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Most studies that have been completed on this method have shown to have benefits on weight control and the health of the body and even the brain. The main benefits include a positive impact on weight loss, insulin resistance, inflammation, cancer, heart health, brain health, and even aging. It is always important to consult your doctor before drying any diet. Remember, eating a healthy, sensible diet is extremely important.