Intermittent fasting is the buzzword in a lot of health and wellness circles. So, what is it? Is it safe, and can you benefit from it? Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern in which you alternate between periods of eating and periods of fasti­ng for a pre-determined period of time. There are several ways to do this, but all methods split the day or week into segments and specify whether to eat or fast during the designated timeframe. Intermittent fasting is not a diet, it is a way of eating that schedules times when eating is allowed and times when fasting is practiced. 

Below are some of the most common methods used.

16/8 Method:
Fast for 16 hours, eat during the remaining 8.

14/10 Method:
Fast for 14 hours, eat during the remaining 10. 

Eat-Stop-Eat Method:
Fast for 24 hours on 2 non-consecutive days a week. 

5:2 Method:
Limit calories to 500 on 2 non- consecutive days a week. 

Any foods are allowed during set timeframe. Always prioritize fruits, vegetables, protein and healthy fats. Unlike most diets, with intermitted fasting there are no foods that are off limits, even carbohydrates or fats. Abstain from snacking outside the timeframes you set. 

Advocates of this approach claim it helps them lose weight and improve their overall health.

 It is important to always talk with your doctor so you can understand the health risks and determine if fasting will have benefits for you. This diet strategy typically reduces the overall calorie intake, and people may lose weight but at a cost of insufficient nutrient intake. Understanding the impact that dietary changes can have on your body is especially important for people with chronic illnesses or those with a history of heart disease. Again, we recommend talking with your doctor and researching options to determine if this approach is right for you!