What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a diet plan that combines eating and fasting on a regular schedule. There are several studies on the internet that prove intermittent fasting works wonders in weight loss. You may find many diet plans that focus entirely on what to eat and what to skip. But intermittent fasting majorly focuses on when to eat or the time intervals.
When you follow intermittent fasting, you eat only during a set schedule. Reports believe that fasting for several hours a day or eating little meals can help the weight loss process. These aren’t just beliefs but there is scientific evidence to prove them as well.
Process of Intermittent Fasting: How Does it Work?
As mentioned above, intermittent fasting is all about finding a specific eating window to meet your requirements. For example, you can choose to eat only for 8 hours while the rest of the day, you fast. Then, there is another plan that allows you to eat normally for 5 days and requires you to eat only one meal for two days.
In intermittent fasting, you are allowed to intake fewer meals. And with fewer meals, there is a reduction in calorie intake as well. At the same time, it also changes the levels of the hormone to promote weight loss. Thus, many claim intermittent fasting to be an effective weight-loss technique. Besides, it is also a technique that works the fastest among the other available diet plans.
The Intermittent Fasting Plans
There are many fasting methods or time frames that you can choose from. Some of them include:
- Eat-Stop-Eat
This diet plan requires you to fast for an entire 24 hour period. You can do this either for one or two days a week. For example, if you start your diet by not eating dinner a day, it should continue until the next day till dinner.
- the 5:2 diet
In this diet plan, you can eat normally as you would for 5 days a week. However, in the next two days, you need to consume only 500-600 calories a day.
- the 16:8 diet
The 16:8 diet plan restricts your eating window to 8 hours. For the next 16 hours, you need to fast. For example, you can skip breakfast and keep a 1 pm to 9 pm eating window. Here, you need to fast for the next 16 hours. However, you can choose your eating window as per your choice.
- Alternate Day Fasting
This is an easy diet plan that requires you to fast every alternate day. However, on the days you are not fasting, you are allowed to eat anything you want.
- Warrior Diet
The Warrior Diet is a strict regimen that allows you to eat for a small 4 hour period while the next 20 hours you fast.
All of these methods are effective for weight loss. However, figuring out the best one for your needs depends solely on the individual.
Bottom Line
Today, there are many variations with the Intermittent Fasting Diet Plans. But, you are free to choose the best diet plan that fits your requirements and helps weight loss. Besides, intermittent fasting is also related to several health benefits apart from weight loss as well. Some of them include a good metabolism, fewer blood pressure problems and a healthy lifestyle. Do your own research and look at what’s best for you and your body.
