Intermittent fasting has become a very popular health fad. While breakfast was once viewed as the most important meal of the day, more people are now forgoing breakfast and holding out until lunch as their first meal of the day. But is this right for you, and are there really any health benefits?
Let’s take a closer look at what intermittent fasting is and what you need to know.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting can be defined as cycling between fasting and eating. It’s all about when you should be eating as opposed to what you should be eating. (1) There are various ways to intermittent fast, but the most popular way right now is to extend your naturally fasted state that occurs during sleep, and not eat until lunchtime.
Some people do really well with intermittent fasting but keep in mind that it definitely doesn’t work for everyone. However, here are some of the potential benefits. It may hold some positive metabolic health benefits, may support weight loss (simply by reducing your daily calorie intake), and some studies have even found that it may have some positive brain health benefits, such as reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s. (2,3)
Intermittent Fasting Tips
As with anything, there are some tips to make intermittent fasting a bit more effective. If this is something that you choose to do, here are some tips to help you make the most of your fasting time.
Make sure to stay hydrated! Drink lots of water during your fasting period.
You can also drink black coffee or tea while intermittent fasting, so take advantage of this if you feel like you need to! While not everyone will add any type of supplementation while intermittent fasting, for those who choose to, you can also consider mixing one of our Magnificent Mushroom blends into your morning cup of coffee or tea for an added boost.
Have healthy meals planned out for lunch. Most people who choose to do the 16/8 intermittent fasting method, fast for 16 hours. So, their last meal of the day may be 8 pm, and then they would eat their first meal of the day at 12 pm. So, have your lunch meals prepped ahead of time to have something healthy to easily grab and go.
The Takeaway
Intermittent fasting has become popular over the last couple of years, and studies have shown that it can hold some health benefits. However, remember that’s it’s not for everyone. So, only do what works for your body, and if you have any concerns, check with your doctor before trying IF (intermittent fasting). And, if you do give it a try, be sure to stay hydrated! This is a key part of being successful with intermittent fasting. Second, remember to have a healthy meal plan set out for the rest of your day, so you can really maximize the healthy foods you will be eating for lunch and dinner, making sure you are giving your body the nutrients it needs.