Is Not For Everybody
Its important to note intermittent fasting including the 16:8, is not for everyone. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18 years old, you should not fast. Its also not for you if you are underweight or have a history of an eating disorder or disordered eating.
Intermittent fasting or short-term calorie restriction may also not be suitable for those with depression or anxiety or who have an underlying health condition such as diabetes or low blood pressure. If you are taking any prescribed medications, it is recommended you speak with a health professional before you try any fasting method.
What To Eat On Intermittent Fasting
There are no specifications or restrictions about what type or how much food to eat while following intermittent fasting, says Lauren Harris-Pincus, RDN, author of The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club.
But Mary Purdy, RDN, chair of Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine, counters by advising that the benefits are not likely to accompany consistent meals of Big Macs.
Pincus and Purdy agree that a well-balanced diet is the key to losing weight, maintaining energy levels, and sticking with the diet.
Anyone attempting to lose weight should focus on nutrient-dense foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, beans, seeds, as well as dairy and lean proteins, suggests Pincus.
Purdy adds, My recommendations wouldnt be very different from the foods I might normally suggest for improved health high fiber, unprocessed, whole foods that offer variety and flavor.
In other words, eat plenty of the below foods and you wont end up in a hangry rage while fasting.
Achieve Optimal Weight Loss Ketosis
I would say failing to achieve optimal weight loss ketosis is the number one reason why people give up on intermittent fasting because it doesnt work. What does it all mean? It means you need to fast long enough for your body to switch to ketones for energy.
Optimal Weight Loss Ketosis
Did you know that when your body runs out of glycogen, it starts producing ketones from your fat cells? When that happens, your appetite tends to decrease, and you feel energetic and focused. Thats one of the reasons why the keto diet has become so popular. When your body functions on ketones, you no longer have to rely on willpower for weight loss. Read my post Keto Vs. Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss: Which One Is Better? if you are curious about what kind of recommendations I have regarding intermittent fasting and keto for weight loss.
How to Know When You Are In Optimal Weight Loss Ketosis
The first time I achieved optimal weight loss ketosis was during a modified fast. I know simply because I felt different. My hunger wasnt bothering me much anymore. I felt different. If you measure your ketones, you will discover that this switch usually occurs around 1.0-1.5 mmol/L.
I use the Keto Mojo to measure my ketones. Get a 15 percent discount with my affiliate link.
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Youll Likely Feel Hungry
Even an 8- or 12-hour fast might feel like a long time when youre not used to fasting.
You may go to bed hungry several times per week. That may naturally feel unpleasant and unsustainable in the long term .
Plus, at times, it might be necessary to override your natural hunger and fullness cues in order to not break your fast earlier than planned.
This doesnt mean that fasting isnt a schedule you can get used to. Once youve adjusted to intermittent fasting, you might even find it makes you feel less hungry (
Design A Healthy Lifestyle For Weight Loss
Learning how to do intermittent fasting for weight loss started with designing a healthy lifestyle for weight loss.
I had to get clear on my goals, determine what action steps would help me stay on track with those goals, and then turn those steps into routines I could track in a habit tracker.
Working on healthy habits in a schedule you can manage is by far the best way to start with intermittent fasting for weight loss.
Beyond the food choices and your fasting schedule, your daily habits need to align.
Ive created a Weight Loss journal thats been helping me out a bunch that you might find helpful as well. Check it out here. Its also available in Happy Planner Classic and Big sizes.
I also have a Keto Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss lifestyle bundle available that includes meal plans, food lists, and action steps to take for success.
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Overeating And Potential Weight Gain
Restricting your intake to just 8 hours per day may cause some people to eat more than usual during eating periods in an attempt to make up for hours spent fasting. This may lead to weight gain, digestive problems, and unhealthy eating habits.
Interestingly, current research doesnt suggest that intermittent fasting leads to any more weight loss than typical diets that recommend overall calorie restriction. Both eating patterns may lead to modest weight loss .
If weight loss is your primary goal, you may therefore prefer to lower your calorie intake instead of fasting intermittently to prevent the overeating that may occur when restricting intake to a certain time window.
Intermittent Fasting Lunch Ideas For Weight Loss
Intermittent Fasting can seem like the easy part — you just don’t eat for a bit… right? But how you break your fast and what you eat within your eating window can make or break your results with Intermittent Fasting.
Today, I’m sharing 5 Intermittent Fasting lunch ideas to help you achieve a weight loss goal.
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Frequently Asked Question & Answers
How To Do The 1: 8 Intermittent Fast
The 16:8 intermittent fasting diet is a daily regime. This means you pick your fasting window and adhere to this schedule until you decide you no longer want to adopt this way of eating.
If you choose this method of intermittent fasting, most people will say the easiest approach to take is to skip your breakfast and eat your first meal later in the day.
For example, you might eat from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and then fast from 6:00 pm until 10:00 am the next day. During the 8-hour feeding window, youll eat your desired daily calories. Other ways you could structure your eating time on 16:8 plan are:
- 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
- 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Noon to 8:00 pm
How you schedule your fasting and eight-hour window for eating is really up to you depending on your lifestyle. Whats important is that youre fasting for 16 hours and only consuming food within the 8 hour period. Although it is recommended for optimal digestion to avoid eating food for 2-3 hours before bed.
Eating within the feeding window is important to maintain a stable blood sugar balance and avoid the symptoms of excessive hunger. The choice of food will also play a role in achieving your health goals, particularly if youre wanting to lose body fat.
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Be Flexible And Listen To Your Body
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
The biggest reward with intermittent fasting is that I am much more in tune with my body. Am I hungry or am I just eating because I am supposed to and its breakfast time? While it is best to maintain consistency with your intermittent fasting routine to reap the energy and weight maintenance/loss benefits, I do break my own fasting rules. Wake up sick and need to down some bone broth or a mug of oatmeal? Of course. On holiday and craving a festive brunch to kick off the day? Count me in. Still noshing and sipping wine at 10pm with old friends? It happens.
While some people may want or need to take a more regimented approach to IF, I know that for mea person who sees food as essential to any experienceI cannot decline a 10:30am brunch reservation or pass on a round of dessert in the name of my fasting journey. I just pick back up with it the next day, adjusting my breaking-the-fast window back a bit to still account for the late night eating, for example. Anything else would be no fun and unsustainable.
Just because morning fasting works for me it doesnt mean it works for everyone. The goal here is at least 12 hours of fasting per day, but its up to you when that happens. I know people who swear by that 8am hearty breakfast and taper off their eating by 6pm. Like everything in life, its whatever feels best for your body and your routine.
Beginners Guide To 16/8 Intermittent Fasting
The 16/8 fasting diet is simple, easy to follow and maintain. For those with no health conditions, it is a safe fasting method. However, if you have certain health conditions, consult your doctor first before beginning any type of diet.
For the 16/8 diet plan, there are 3 most commonly recommended eating time periods to observe, these are:
| Noon to 8 p.m. | 8:01 p.m. to 11:59 am |
In order to decide which eating window is best for you, take the following into consideration:
- Your lifestyle. Consider where most of your activities are done.
- When do you sleep or rest?
- Food should best be avoided 2-3 hours before sleeping.
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How Does Intermittent Fasting Work
Intermittent fasting is a weight-loss tactic without counting carbs, going keto, or eating a Mediterranean dietthough you can incorporate your preferred dietary choices when you break the fast.
Dr. Luiza Petre, a board-certified cardiologist with extensive training and experience in nutrition and weight loss says, Absorbing and digesting food is known as your bodys fed state, which lasts four to five hours from when you finish eating.
She explains that during that post-meal time, insulin levels are high, so your body does not burn fat. After youve processed your meal, your body can begin to burn fat, when insulin levels are low. After 12 hours, bodies enter the state of fasting ideal for fat burning.
A normal eating schedule rarely allows you to make it into this fat-burning state, she says.
Breakfast: Green Smoothie At 8 Am
After fasting, I like to ease into my day of eating with a smoothie since it is a little easier for my gut to digest.
You’ll want to go for a green smoothie instead of a high-sugar fruit smoothie to avoid starting your day on a blood-sugar roller coaster. Add in lots of healthy fats to keep you going until lunch!
Ingredients:
Method:
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What Food Should I Eat On A Fast Day
Since you’re eating less on fasting days, it’s sensible to make your food choices as satisfying and nutritious as possible.
Eggs are a fantastic choice as they are versatile and packed with healthy fat and protein to keep you fuller for longer.
High protein, lower fat foods such as chicken, fish, yoghurt, tofu, oats or beans are good choices also.
It’s best to avoid foods high in sugar, unless it’s whole fruit , as these will very likely leave you with hunger pangs – craving more sugar!
Intermittent Fasting: Can Betterme Help
Figuring out your optimal eating and fasting window ratios, make sure your IF transition is safe, adjusting to a new lifestyle this all seems like a lot to handle! BetterMe is ready to help you become the healthiest and happiest version of yourself!
We offer:
- Filling meal ideas and meal plans for your IF journey
Ready to try? BetterMe app will change your life starting today!
Sticking to a healthy diet based on your health needs, allergies and preferences is a great idea, however when combined with a workout plan that meets your goals, it might bring you significant benefits. Better mood, stronger muscles, and endurance are just some.
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Cons Of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is one way to regulate your calorie intake and work toward improving your metabolic health.
Though the eating pattern can certainly be part of a healthy diet, it will likely take some adjusting to in the beginning. Plus, simply put, intermittent fasting is not right for everyone.
Here are a few downsides you could encounter when first trying intermittent fasting.
Calorie Intermittent Fasting Meal Plan Example
We have shared with you our previous IF diet research. And we noted in our research that the best time window is between 12 noon and 8 pm. This plan is designed for exactly this perfect period.
See The Research:
Below we will provide you with the perfect meal plan as well as the recipes for the meals.
In this way, you will be able to enjoy simply losing weight and sticking to the list without worrying about what and how to cook.
Just let us give you a few tips.
Help your body who try to lose weight during this time.
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Is Intermittent Fasting Good For Weight Loss
Petre has seen a lot of success with patients using intermittent fastingincluding herself. She says its because theres a lot less guilt and regret attached to the plan because theres less deprivation. And its sustainable: The weight tends to stay off because its not an overly restrictive diet.
We have many patients who have lost 40 pounds or more in a four- to five-month timeframe, she says.
This has been done through a medically supervised program that monitors health, and provides a structured plan with counseling, she adds. Weekly weigh-ins with a body composition analysis combined with meal planning and exercise equal successful weight loss and maintenance with optimal health.
Dr. Charlie Seltzer, the only doctor in the country that is board-certified in Obesity Medicine and certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Clinical Exercise Specialist, agrees. Intermittent fasting works best when patients follow his monitored, tailored plan for their needs, where he regularly monitors metabolic rates, sleep and stress management, and even cravings.
Seltzer has patients on the intermittent fasting plan that are experiencing weight-loss success. One patient has been doing this for less than a year and so far has lost 80 pounds, and shes still goingits even more rapid even than I want to see. But he says, shes taking in 1,400 calories per day. And its all at dinner: Shes drinking wine and eating bread and pasta and cheese, he says.
Advanced: The Modified 2
For this plan, eat clean for five days of the week . On the other two days, restrict your calories to no more than 700 each day.
Calorie restriction unlocks many of the same benefits as fasting for an entire day.
On your non-fasting days, you’ll need to make sure you’re getting in healthy fats, clean meats, vegetables, and some fruits, and you can structure your meals however best works for you.
On restricted days, you can have smaller meals or snacks throughout the day or have a moderate-size lunch and dinner and fast in the morning and after dinner.
Again, focus on healthy fats, clean meats, and produce. Apps can help you log your food and keep track of your calorie intake so you don’t go over 700.
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What Is The 1: 8 Diet
The 16:8 diet is a form of intermittent fasting where you break the day into two parts: a 16-hour and an 8-hour period. “People who follow this eating plan will fast for 16 hours a day and consume all of their calories during the remaining 8 hours. There are no restrictions on the types or amounts of food that a person can eat during the 8-hour window. This flexibility makes the plan relatively easy to follow,” Suzie says.
Designed to be a diet that works fast , 16:8 stems from the 8-Hour Diet book by author David Zinczenko and Peter Moore, former editor-in-chief of Men’s Health. The two created the plan off the back of popular 5:2 diet meal plans , with the main difference being the longer fasting time between eating sessions. This, they say, gives the body the time it needs to process food and burn away extra fat.