I’ve had several people inquire about the intermittent fasting diet. Intermittent fasting is not a diet, it is a way of eating that does have benefits when done occasionally and not obsessively. It is a eating schedule where you will have a long period of time between meals ( overnight). You will still eat the same amount of food but in a smaller time frame. The most common timeframes are:
16 hrs fasting overnight / 8 hrs of eating
14 hrs fasting overnight / 10 hrs eating
Studies have shown that women do better on the 14/10 timeframe due to hormone balance. Please remember this is NOT about restricting food. You need to consume the same healthy amount of food but in a shorter period of time.
My Take:
Once in a while I might try to do the 14/10 ,but it’s rare. If my day’s social / work activities allow, I generally eat a larger meal at lunch and try to eat dinner early. My objective is to have 3-4 hours of not eating anything before I go to sleep. I find this is best for my digestion. It improves my sleep dramatically because my body is at rest instead of still working to digest a meal.
If you would like to try one of the fasting timeframes I mentioned above to kickstart weight reduction, or to just see how your body responds to this, I suggest trying it 3times a week.
Below are the pros and cons of this eating method.
Pros:
Fat loss - Food is energy, when you remove food for a longer period of time than usual, your body will begin to burn fat to obtain the energy it needs.
Improved Clarity :-Fasting improves clarity, many people have “brain fog” and fasting can help to eliminate this.
Improved Hormonal Profile - Fasting helps to improve the growth hormone that helps your brain and preserves lean muscle.
Reduces Inflammation - Helps to reduce inflammation in the body. All chronic disease are a result of excess long term inflammation. This can help to keep illness away!
Reduce bloating -If you suffer from digestive pain or bloating, fasting gives the body the time it need to digest food.
Cons:
Hunger Pains - When starting expect to experience hunger pains. This will improve as your body adjusts and becomes accustom to this new way of digesting.
*Eating Disorders - IF can lead to too much thinking about food. For some, this could lead to a potential eating disorder. If you are prove to becoming obsessive, or a perfectionist, please do not try Intermittent fasting.
*Stress- If you feel stressed or have a tendency to stress easily, then IF is not for you. Going longer without food will put too much added stress on your body.
*these are very important to consider!!
Please remember the overall all goal for our wellness ( health and weight) is a lifestyle shift to healthy eating. Eating whole foods, incorporating more vegetables and fruits, more water. Trying to eliminate sugars from processed foods. That’s our goal, keep the focus, stay the course. :)
Sarah
