What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is on the rise to be one of the most popular diet trends at this moment in time. Although intermittent fasting is not necessarily a “diet” rather an eating patter, people still refer to it sometimes as a diet. Intermittent fasting is basically an eating pattern where one cycles between longer and shorter periods of fasting and eating. It does not specify what can and cannot be eaten, but rather when to eat. 

Most Popular Methods of Intermittent Fasting

• The 16/8 method: Also known as the Leangains diet, you fast for 16 hours and have an eating period of 8 hours. Most people skip breakfast with this pattern of fasting, and start their eating period at noon or 1 p.m. and finish out around 8-9 p.m. Then fast again until noon the next day. This is also the most popular method. 
• Eat-Stop-Eat method: This method involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week. For example, you would have a fasting period from dinner one day until dinner on the next day. 
• The 5:2 method: This method involves consuming only 500-600 calories on two non-consecutive days a week, but eating regular on the other 5 days in the week. 

Health Benefits and Weight Loss

Intermittent fasting has many benefits for your body and brain function. It has been found to benefit with weight loss, insulin resistance, inflammation, heart health, brain health, and anti-aging. 

The most common reason that most people try intermittent fasting is for weight loss. It causes you to eat less calories without feeling like you are actually restricting since you are eating less meals in the short period of time. There is studies that show that short-term fasting may increase your metabolism from 3.6-14%.

Informative Video on How to Start Intermittent Fasting

If you would also like to read more in depth about intermittent fasting these two articles by Healthline are great! Intermittent Fasting 101 & 6 Popular Ways to Do Intermittent Fasting