Intermittent fasting (IF) is a popular diet plan that has been gaining traction in recent years. Studies have shown that it can help you lose weight, improve your health, and even potentially extend your life. But what are the special considerations to take into account when creating an intermittent fasting diet? Kira C Chiropractic, a nutritionist and intermittent fasting expert, says that the key to success with IF is to have a “big why” in mind. For her, it was improving her gut health.
She usually fasts once a week, and drinks a Fast Bar, a plant-based protein bar that has been clinically developed to trick the body into believing that it is still fasting. Lori, another nutritionist, recommends finding an eating window that fits your schedule. She suggests stopping fasting between 12 and 1 p.m., and finishing your last meal between 6 and 8 p.m. Kayla notes that everyone has different metabolisms and goals, so don't be afraid to experiment to find what works best for you.
To control cravings during periods of fasting, Rachael recommends drinking ginger tea. A 12-hour fast hasn't been studied in experimental trials, but logically it seems like a good place to start with time-restricted eating. Stop having snacks after dinner and leave more time between meals. This could mean stopping dinner at 7 p.m. and not eating anything until 7 a.m.Intermittent fasting is a diet plan that involves eating few or no calories on the fasting day and eating normally on non-fasting days.
Some people completely avoid solid foods during fasting days, while others allow themselves up to 500 calories. Research suggests that the timing of fasting is key and may make intermittent fasting a more realistic, sustainable, and effective approach to losing weight and preventing diabetes. A study reports that fasting every other day is effective for weight loss and heart health in healthy and overweight adults. This form of fasting may be best for people who have already tried other forms of intermittent fasting. Fully fasting for 1 or 2 days a week (known as the Eat-Stop-Eat diet) involves not eating food for 24 hours straight. Intermittent fasting can also have a positive impact on many metabolic health markers such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and associated weight loss can reduce the risk of weight-related diseases.
If you follow these tips for success, you'll be much more likely to incorporate intermittent fasting as part of your daily routine.
