Should I Try Intermittent Fasting?

Clients ask me all the time about intermittent fasting.  They hear about it in the news and are interested in  whether or not it is something we should explore as an option for them.  Like just about everything else we work on, I tell them that it depends.  Today we'll discuss why intermittent fasting helps some people and why it may not be the best choice for others.

Before we dive in to the issue of whether intermittent fasting might help you reach your goals, let's define what intermittent fasting is.  Basically, it is a method of eating where one alternates periods of eating with periods of fasting.  Some people eat freely for several days, then fast for a full day, whereas others eat only within a certain window daily. Either method can work to bring about fat loss as long as you end up in a caloric deficit.  In general, I prefer utilizing the daily eating window method with my clients as I find it gives them better energy and is a more sustainable lifestyle.  Again, this differs from person to person.

What might make intermittent fasting attractive to someone?  There are a lot of people who simply don't feel like eating first thing in the morning, or who aren't hungry later in the day.  For these people, listening to their body's natural hunger cues and designing an intermittent fasting plan around them may help them reach their goals.  Intermittent fasting also works well for people who struggle with nighttime junk food cravings.  Intermittent fasting is also a great way to help people recognize and understand their hunger cues again, as so many of us don't remember what it is like to really feel hungry.

What should be taken into consideration when engaging on an intermittent fasting plan?  Well, it is NOT a license to eat whatever you want during your eating window.  Rather, people who engage in intermittent fasting should focus on eating nutritious whole foods in appropriate quantities for their size and goals, just like everyone else.  One should also consider whether your body seems to perform best when fueled regularly throughout the day, or if it doesn't really matter when you eat.  

Who should not engage in intermittent fasting?  Anyone with medical or metabolic conditions should consult with a physician and/or a registered dietician (preferably both) before engaging in intermittent fasting.  Additionally, if you are the "hangry" type or if you lack energy if you don't eat regularly, intermittent fasting probably isn't going to be your best option.

Interested in learning more?  Give us a call or drop us an email,