Intermittent Fasting – Pros and Cons of the Modern Weight Loss Method

Adam January 8, 2022 0 Comments

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are over and we all have new resolutions for 2021. You’re sure to remember to do more exercise, spend longer time outdoors, or eat healthier and less. A good idea to shed a few pounds quickly is definitely the OMAD diet. There are also other modern methods of losing weight, such as intermittent fasting. In the following, we want to explain what is included and the pros and cons of this diet. Read on to find out more and perhaps determine for yourself whether or not intermittent fasting is for you.

Intermittent fasting means eating with an eye on the clock!

Table of Contents

What is Intermittent Fasting and How Does It Work?

Intermittent fasting is still called intermittent fasting. Nutrition experts don’t actually refer to it as a diet in the classic sense, but rather as a strategic division of food intake. This is about deliberately avoiding food for hours. Then comes the time window in which you can eat. That said, you need a strong will and a lot of self-discipline to use this weight loss method. There are various options for intermittent fasting. However, the 16: 8 fasting is the most common form. Food is consumed within 8 hours a day. You have to spend the remaining 16 hours without eating. For example, you completely forego breakfast and then eat from 10 a.m. After 6 p.m. you are again not allowed to eat any food according to this scheme. Only low-calorie drinks are allowed, of course no alcohol!

You can eat within 8 hours a day.

The 5: 2 fasting is also popular. It is eaten 5 days a week, without certain restrictions. However, you should limit your food intake on 2 days and consume small portions of around 500 calories throughout the day. Here light meals come into question, the consumption of fruit and vegetables and low-calorie drinks so that you do not exceed the limit of 500 calories. You need to know yourself which variant appeals to you better. But one thing is certain: with intermittent fasting you either have to look at the clock while eating or count the calories!

You can decide for yourself when you eat and when you fast.

What are the advantages of intermittent fasting?

Obviously, intermittent fasting is not a quick diet that will shed your extra pounds in a matter of days. This is more about a long-term method of losing weight, in which you have to change your eating habits and only eat within 8 hours a day. It sounds very easy, but it is difficult to do. You really need a lot of self-discipline for that. So this is a diet limited to cycles of either eating or fasting. You determine your food, the quantities and, in principle, have no taboos. Which is often the case with other diets. However, you are only allowed to eat within a few hours. If you choose intermittent fasting as a lifestyle, you have to accept this limitation.

A light breakfast doesn’t arrive until around noon.

Compared to other diets, you have no prohibitions on what foods you consume in the eating time window. Actually, all you have to do is adjust your eating habits according to the weight loss method. That said, you just have to be careful about when you eat. Intermittent fasting is ideal for people who don’t like breakfast but don’t want to miss out on dinner. Then you can achieve wonderful results according to the 16: 8 scheme.

In the mealtime window, you can treat yourself to something sweet.

Who is intermittent fasting unsuitable for?

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as hormonal problems, metabolic disorders or cardiovascular problems, then this weight loss method is not for you. Intermittent fasting is also definitely not recommended for the following diseases: migraines, diabetes, malnutrition, low blood pressure or a lack of menstruation. Increased alcohol consumption is also not allowed on this diet and can lead to serious consequences, even body poisoning. Anyone who takes medication should rather stay away from intermittent fasting. This refers to drugs such as blood thinners, antidepressants or antipsychotics. Many of the medicines mentioned have to be taken the day before or immediately after a meal, so that it is impossible to fast. And another example. If you travel a lot, privately or on business, it is difficult to keep the time window for eating. It is therefore advisable not to start intermittent fasting at all.

Prepare for a healthy diet.

Here we just give you a brief overview of intermittent fasting. It must be clearly emphasized that this method of losing weight means a lifestyle change and therefore does not suit everyone. However, if you decide to do so, you should definitely seek advice from your doctor. He or she can best assess whether this or any other strict or not very strict diet is good for you. Gather more information and expert opinions about intermittent fasting and only then make an informed decision!

The good thing about intermittent fasting is that you can eat anything.