You might be wondering… What is Intermittent Fasting? Well, it’s described as an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. There are six different way of fasting: 16/18 Method, 5:2 Method, Eat Stop Eat Method, Alternate-day Method, Warrior Method, and Spontaneous Method- all described in the previous article Intermittent Fasting School of Thought. Each system is different and can be altered based on the person’s lifestyle.
Intermittent Fasting doesn’t specify which foods you should eat but rather when you should eat them. In this respect, it’s not a diet in the conventional sense but more accurately described as an eating pattern. And essentially, you keep yourself from over stuffing your stomach and giving it time to digest.
As we eat, food is broken down by enzymes within our stomachs that eventually end up as molecules in our bloodstream. Carbohydrates, particularly sugars and refined grains, are broken down into sugar, which our cells use for energy. If our cells don’t use it all, we store it as fat. But sugar can only enter our cells with insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas. Insulin brings sugar into the fat cells and keeps it there for a rainy day. While performing this diet, we wait for our insulin levels to drop between meals/ snacks, so our fat cells can release the excess sugar (energy) into our bloodstream. Therefore, burning fat and losing weight.
Key Take Always for Successful Fasting:
- Avoid sugary foods and refined grains. Instead, eat fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Let your body burn fat between meals. Don’t snack! Be active throughout your day.
- Consider a simple form of intermittent fasting. Limit the hours of the day when you eat, and for best results, make it earlier in the day (between 7 am to 3 pm, or even 10 am to 6 pm, but not in the evening before bed).
- Avoid snacking or eating at nighttime.
Intermittent fasting is a weight loss tool that works for many people, though it doesn’t work for everyone. Some people believe it may not be as beneficial for women as for men for due to hormone differences and fat structure on the body. It’s also not recommended for people who have or are prone to eating disorders. If you decide to try intermittent fasting, keep in mind that diet quality is crucial. It’s not possible to binge on junk foods during the eating periods and expect to lose weight and boost your health. Be sure to always consult with your doctor if you’ve had previous health related issues.
