When you hear intermittent fasting, it’s not very self-explanatory. Let’s first get into what it is.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is an eating plan where you only eat during a specific time.

The fasting part is when you don’t eat for a specific number of hours.

For example, you would fast (not eat) for 16 hours and eat throughout 8 hours.

This could be starting to eat at 12pm and ending eating by 8pm.

What do you eat on an intermittent fasting diet?

There aren’t specific things you have to eat on an intermittent fasting diet.

However, it is best to stick to eating healthy so that weight loss occurs faster.

Try to eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein.

Is it better to fast for 12 or 16 hours?

Fasting for 12 hours and eating throughout a 12-hour period is a safer option.

Sometimes with a 16 to 18 hour fasting, people can develop gallstones and eventually may have to have their gallbladders taken out.

This is something that COULD happen, not something that will happen.

Everyone is different, but it is good to be aware of some things that could happen on a 16-18 hour fasting.

I would stick to starting out with a 12 hour fast and monitor how your body feels.

Can you lose weight on intermittent fasting?

Absolutely.

Is it the best way to lose weight?

I would say no because I don’t believe in restriction.

I believe in healthy eating and regular exercise.

But, of course you can lose weight on an intermittent fasting diet.

Because you are only eating within a certain window, your body goes hours without eating.

Throughout that time, the body drains its sugar stores and then moves on to burning fat.

How do you correctly do intermittent fasting?

There are so many different ways to do intermittent fasting.

As long as you’re not eating during your fasting hours and eating healthy during your non-fasting hours you’re doing it correctly.

Find an intermittent fasting schedule that works for you. 

Does coffee break a fast?

Drinking coffee black (or without creams or sugars) does not break a fast.

You can drink that throughout your fasting hours.

However, once you start adding cream or sugars or anything else, this breaks a fast.

This is because the calories start to add up.

The Pros:

→ Can help you lose weight

→ Can improve heart health

→ Can improve brain function

→ Can improve your immune system

The Cons:

→ You could potentially overeat due to feeling restricted

→ May not be sustainable for a long period of time.

→ Could reduce the amount of physical activity achieved because of low energy

→ Can give stress to the body and make you more tired and moody than usual

→ With the restriction, it could lead to a restrictive eating disorder

Conclusion

Personally, I would not do intermittent fasting.

I think it is very restrictive, not intuitive, and can lead to fatigue.

What we really need is to listen to our bodies and eat only when we are hungry.

If you are interested in it, I would say try it but be cautious about the disadvantages and the risks that come with it.

I would also say to be open to a flexible intermittent fasting diet.

I think it would be good to stop eating at a certain time at night but to be flexible in the morning/afternoon when you are super hungry.

Email [email protected] if you have any questions about intermittent fasting or if you want to share your experience with it.