What are your thoughts on intermittent fasting?

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   Abby Campbellposted 11 years ago

   What are your thoughts on intermittent fasting?
   
   You've probably heard a lot about intermittent fasting (IF) this last week on media channels. The media has been reporting IF as the latest diet craze that has come to the U.S. from England. However, it's actually been around for some time. There are several approaches to IF, but the main approach is to eat whenever and whatever you want for 5 days per week. Then fast for the weekend (2 days in a row) with no more than 400-800 calories per day. What are your thoughts about this IF protocol?

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   Kathryn Stratfordposted 11 years ago

   That is an interesting idea. I don't usually fall into the diet craze trap, and I don't care for eating "whatever I want" for 5 days in a row. I prefer eating a balanced meal 7 days a week, with an occasional indulgence. But I suppose fasting for only a couple of days would be an okay way to clear out the body, at least for a healthy person. On occasion I'll go on a detox diet, to clear my body of excess caffeine, sugar and salt, and for 1-2 days my calories are restricted, so it is probably not too different. I would probably be okay with doing it for one week (maybe to kick start a diet), but I don't think I would want to do that every week.  As far as being an effective diet, it doesn't seem like it would be spectacular, given that you're allowed to overindulge for 5 days of the week.

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      Abby Campbellposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, Kathryn. Thanks for answering.

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   tsmogposted 11 years ago

   Shooting from the hip, yet having my trusty long long bore near by I'll give this a try. I have a view of 'fasting' having a different connotation than weight loss. Even though there may be prudence with diet I would caution undertakers of the consequences, which are both good or bad, on different realms - mental, emotional, and spiritual.
   
   I have read many diets and even partaken of one regarding fasting for the purpose of detoxing with French Green Clay as the catalyst. The continuance of the use of French Green Clay for that detoxing purpose for me lasted maybe two months. Then happenstance occurred. Maybe the next attempt I will succeed.
   
   Yet that does not answer your question. Being diabetic I would also take caution while remembering carbohydrates are the main theme with that type of diet. I would attempt this style of weight loss by taking the time to do some figuring how many calories for the four meals a day with 45 - 60 carbs per meal and 15 - 20 carbs for snacks. I'll be darned if I do that from day-to-day too - giggle.
   
   Thank for the question. I do like the articles I saw at your profile. Congrats on being an apprentice. If you meet Merlin, please share of that experience - giggle . . .
   
   Tim

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      Abby Campbellposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer, Tim. I also have a different connotation on fasting than weight loss, for the same reasons you mentioned. The intermittent fasting is an ongoing diet with fasting and overindulging - definitely not wise for diabetics.

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   Get Thin for Goodposted 11 years ago

   Fasting in itself is an excellent thing to do, contrary to many "expert" opinions. It gives the body a chance to heal instead of dealing with food. There are many, many health benefits to fasting.
   
   The only time I would not recommend fasting for certain people (food addicts and overeaters to be precise) is when you need to count your calories. It messes with the food addict's thought processes and can create an obsession with calories that is not healthy for an overeater/food addict.
   
   If fasting is done where you don't need to count calories, I would recommend it, and when it is done to draw closer to God for help, that is ideal.

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      Abby Campbellposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer, Get Thin for Good. I agree. I only think of fasting as "detoxing." It's not a good diet for fat loss, but it could be a side effect of detoxing.

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