Ask 10 people whether or not they want to have a perfect body and you’re likely to get ‘Yes’ as an answer from at least 8 of them! That’s the extent to which we all are obsessed with good health. And we do everything we can to get it – some people eat fruits and veggies while others gorge on fish and meat. Some prefer one type of diet and others swear by a specific exercise routine.
Among all the hoopla, there’s a completely different strategy that’s quickly catching the imagination of people across the world. We’re talking about Intermittent Fasting, and regardless of whether or not you’ve heard of it, we’re sure you’ll find reading this piece especially interesting.
Read – Can alternate day fasting help in losing weight?
What is Intermittent Fasting all about?
Intermittent fasting is a technique that mainly depends on “temporarily breaking up” with food for a specific time. It could be for a few hours during the day, or even for certain days during the week. Most commonly, this form of dieting includes having whatever you want in moderate quantities for 8 hours of the day, and observing a fast during the subsequent 16 hours. This pattern is referred to as the 16 – 8 diet.
This kind of diet strategy is an effective and easy-to-follow scheme, especially since it doesn’t need you to follow stringent rules. Studies indicate that this fasting, particularly the 16 – 8 type, allows you to enjoy several health benefits like:
Losing excess weight
It helps reduce the amount of food you eat during the entire day, thereby cutting down on the calories consumed by your body. It also helps enhance metabolism and the body’s fat-burning rate.
Decelerate aging
A few studies point out that this kind of fasting can significantly delay aging signs.
Helps with managing diabetes and preventing it
The strategy helps improve blood sugar levels, regulate insulin, and reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes. To get the desired results from this technique, it’s recommended to follow these guidelines:
- Nap whenever you feel tired and avoid vigorous physical activity during the fasting slot.
- Have your favorite food, even if it’s in small quantities, outside fasting hours to avoid the feeling of deprivation.
- Consume healthy flavors in large quantities. They may increase the feeling of satiety and help suppress the appetite for longer periods. Such flavors can include vinegar, garlic, and healthy herbs.
- Choose foods that are low in calories but are of large size. Typical examples of such foods are popcorns and melons.
- Drink plenty of water. You can also drink hot herbal sugar-free drinks while you’re fasting.
Read – Struggling With Intermittent Fasting at Home? Noom Is A Game Changer
Wrapping It Up
When it comes to food and health, it’s advisable to ask a nutritionist before taking a step towards a specific diet. Your health is at the foremost, and you should know that not every diet program is for everybody.