The Beginner’s Guide to Intermittent Fasting for Rookies

Intermittent Fasting is a style of eating which is based on alternating fasting with eating in different ways.

Although this is a novel strategy that provides several benefits to our health, it may be considered dangerous by some specialists.

Even so, this is a practice recommended by nutritionists in general, since our body seems to adapt positively to the impact that lack of food can have. Although there are several types of Intermittent Fasting, let’s talk about the best known.

To begin with, they are classified according to the number of fasting hours and the number of hours you can eat. For example, the 16/8 fast consists of 16 hours in which you can’t eat (which is really fasting) and 8 hours in which you should eat your basic meals, whether two or three a day.

There are broader versions, such as fast 24 and fast 48, where you can eat for 24 or 48 hours, but you must fast for the same amount of time. Although it may sound a little far-fetched, we want to remember that our body can really adapt to these changes, without suffering from hypoglycemia or any other disorder related to food.

Of course, as we often recommend, you need to go to your doctor and explain what you are planning to do. In addition, it may be helpful to get some check-ups before you try something like this.

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

1. Fats and Weight: Since we are not consuming carbohydrates or any other type of food for a long period of time, our body depletes its normal reserves of energy and begins to consume the ones at hand: fats. Therefore, cholesterol and triglycerides descend quite a lot, as well as a large part of our cardiovascular risk.
2. Insulin Sensitivity: the decrease in blood glucose (which is acquired with carbohydrates) improves the way in which our body’s cells capture insulin through various molecular mechanisms.
3. Appetite and self-control: one of the best benefits is that it helps us change our eating habits. Not only will we be able to better regulate our appetite, but we will also be able to control the need to eat and we will be able to reduce the consumption of hyper-processed food or junk food.

While it’s worth a try, Intermittent Fasting isn’t for everyone. Patients with very low weight or low muscle mass should not try this type of diet. Ideally, as always, you should be in control with your doctor before trying.