What is Intermittent Fasting? Intermittent Fasting is defined as a type of diet that allows you to “trick” your body into burning more fat, leading to weight loss and the reduction of hunger cravings. In other words, it is a way to lose those stubborn bits of fat that just won’t go away no matter what you do.
Intermittent fasting is a term used to describe a variety of different time schedule diets which cycle between restrictive fasting and full-time, voluntary fasting. Many methods of intermittent fasting utilize alternating day fasting and alternate-day feeding, with the second day being a normal, calorie-containing meal.
Many critics of this method of dieting point out that there is no scientific proof to back up the claims of success. Proponents of the daily, intermittent fasting diet will point out that scientific proof exists that supports the benefits of this dieting method. For instance, recent studies have demonstrated that people who followed a three-day, weekly eating plan that allowed them to only eat fruit were significantly less likely to gain weight than those who ate the same diet but were allowed to eat vegetables. This same study also demonstrated that those who followed a three-day, weekly eating plan that allowed them to only eat fruit gained the least amount of weight. While most of these studies are of a small nature which can be considered preliminary, there are also a number of larger, long-term studies which all corroborate the results seen in these preliminary studies.
The health benefits of Intermittent Fasting are numerous. As previously mentioned, a diet that allows you to “trick” your body into eating less often while maintaining the same amount of overall calories is one method of Intermittent Fasting. If you have never before attempting this type of dieting, it can at first feel like you are simply not doing the exercise needed to burn the extra calories and fat stored throughout your body. However, if done for just four to five days per week, you will find that you are able to reduce your waist line and improve your health in other ways as well.
One way in which Intermittent Fasting may help you is by allowing you to eat smaller portions of food at a time. In this way, you can keep track of your intake so that you are constantly aware of how much food you are consuming. You will also discover that you are able to eat healthier foods because your body knows exactly when to skip on a snack and when to pick up an extra serving. By changing your eating schedule from a daily feeding routine to alternating a two or three snack break with an alternate day of eating, you can dramatically lower your calorie intake and lose weight.
Another benefit of Intermittent Fasting is that it provides a method of cutting out carbohydrates. Many people struggle with the concept of completely cutting out carbohydrates while dieting. This is because the human body does not always process carbohydrates in the same manner as other types of food. If you eliminate all carbohydrates from your diet, your metabolism may suffer and you can potentially feel sluggish. By changing the frequency in which you eat and skipping the days where you eat nothing at all, you can trick your body into a new metabolic pattern.
When you choose Intermittent Fasting, you will need to ensure that you are not depriving yourself of nutrition. You should always monitor your calorie intake closely and make sure you are getting enough nutrients. If you are consuming more calories than you should be, this is a warning sign that you may be using an unhealthy diet. You should take a week away from dieting altogether and learn how to eat correctly for an entire eight-hour window each day. With this type of planning, you can enjoy all of the benefits of Intermittent Fasting, while eating healthy and still losing weight at the same time. In addition to making sure that you are receiving all of the nutrients you need, make sure you are taking in a balanced amount of protein, fats, fiber, and carbohydrates.
The first benefit of Intermittent Fasting is that it can help you get rid of your seasonal hunger cravings. Since you are eating a time-restricted diet, you will be craving certain types of foods throughout the day. If you are trying to lose weight, one of the biggest issues many dieters face is keeping their appetite in check during the day. A diet that is time-limited can help you overcome this problem. Since you are not eating continuously all day long, your body will be programmed to be able to control its metabolism and automatically turn things down when it senses you are hungry.
The second benefit of Intermittent Fasting is that it can improve blood sugar levels. Those who have struggled with blood sugar problems know how difficult it can be to maintain a consistent blood sugar level throughout the day. If you consistently eat unhealthy foods during the day, your body will struggle to keep your blood sugar normal. By eating Intermittent Fasting, your brain function will be improved and your insulin levels will be optimized, which in turn will help improve blood sugar levels.