Intermittent Fasting - What's it all about?

What is intermittent fasting?

Basically it is restricting when you eat. There are a variety of approaches to this so if it’s something that interests you it’s worth experimenting and doing a bit of research to find out which method works for you best.

The two most popular ones seem to be the 5 - 2 in which you eat normally for 5 days and then greatly restrict your calorific intake on two days (not consecutive) to around 500 calories.

The other is the 16 8 during which you fast for 16 hours of each day and then eat all your food within an 8 hour window. Most commonly this is practised between 12 and 8pm or 1pm and 9pm. During the 16 8 you don’t even have to really watch what you eat - although the benefits will obviously be greater if you don’t drink loads of beer and eat chocolate non stop!

The latter version is far simpler as (if done properly) there is a hard stop on the hours during which you fast and eat. It’s a brilliant method for those who snack, secret eat, graze, pick or taste as it essentially builds in the self - discipline needed to stop eating unnecessarily.

What are the benefits: The first is a change in metabolism. Usually the body fuels itself from glucose supplies held within the blood. During regular fasting the glucose supplies are exhausted and the body is forced to switch to generating energy by switching to fat supplies. This changes body chemistry resulting in lower blood pressure, higher energy levels, reduced heart rate and insulin resistance. Some studies have found it can even improve memory! As well as that it can stop the snacking habit!

A word of warning: If you have an underlying health condition, are underweight or taking medication then you should check with your doctor before undertaking intermittent fasting.

Give the 16 8 a try and let us know how you get on.