Intermittent Fasting 101 - The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

In This Article

Intermittent Fasting 101 - The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Alisha Shaji

Alisha Shaji

Updated on August 24, 2024

Medically verified by Dr. Arya

Fact checked by Sreemoyee

guides on intermittent fasting

Wellness

5 min read

People believe that health is the greatest wealth and it is very true.

It is very important to stay healthy throughout the lifetime as everything other than health can be replaced.

Mykare Health team is here with something new to improve your health.

Yes, we are going to talk about intermittent fasting. Join us and have a detailed look into the overall aspect of intermittent fasting.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a type of eating pattern which cycles between eating and fasting. So in this type of fasting method emphasis is given to when you eat rather than focusing on what to eat.

Which Are the Common Methods To Do Intermittent Fasting?

  • 16/ 8 Method - So you are asked to do fasting for sixteen hours and eat within eight hours of a window. So it is typically practised from noon to eight at night.

  • 5:2 Diet - So in this type of method the individual is asked to have food as that of regular days and then asked to restrict calories in between ( 500-60 calories ) in the next two following days.

  • Eat- Stop- Eat- It is a popular method in which the individual who is undergoing diet is asked to fast for 24 hours in one or two days constituent days and not more than that as that would lead to adverse health issues.

  • Alternate Day Fasting- In this method the individual is asked to alternate fasting days and asked to consume a diet which is not more than 500 calories and non fasting days.

  • Warrior Diet- One of the popular methods of diet followed by millions and millions of people around the world. In this method one is asked to have raw fruits and vegetables for the whole day and have one large meal at night

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

  • Weight loss - One of the most visible results of intermittent fasting is weight loss as it helps to reduce the intake of calories and increase the rate of metabolism in the human body.

  • Improved Insulin Sensitivity - Intermittent Fasting helps to reduce blood sugar level and improves insulin resistance.

  • Cellular Repair - Intermittent Fasting enhances autophagy, it is a popular mode of cellular repair.

  • Hormonal Changes - It is observed that intermittent fasting has the ability to increase the level of norepinephrine levels, which boost metabolism in the body.

  • Brain Health - It is noted that intermittent fasting has the property of increasing brain hormone BDNF, which helps in the growth of new nerve cells.

Intermittent fasting is not a very easy process and changes will not happen all of a sudden. It is a gradual process which require Patience

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How to Start Intermittent Fasting?

Choose your method -Analyse your plans and select a plan that best suits your lifestyle.

  • Start Slowly - Never decrease your portion of meals and intake of calories all of a sudden it is better if you could increase the fasting period slowly.

  • Stay Hydrated - Never hesitate to drink water. One should drink plenty of water and non - caloric drinks or beverages.

  • Consume Nutrient Dense Food - It is very important that you should have a balanced diet though you are fasting so it is very important to focus on whole food while undergoing fasting.

  • Be consistent - It is very important that one should stick on to their plans and give ample time so that the human body can adapt with the diet you follow.

What Are the Common Side Effects of Intermittent Fasting?

  • Hunger - Yes, definitely you will definitely face issues related to hunger and nothing to worry as it is very common during the initial days and eventually decreases with the passage of time.

  • Headache - It is observed that many individuals face issues like headaches and migraines because of their inability to stay hydrated. So it is very necessary that one should maintain the fluid level in the body.

  • Irritability - There is an increased chance that one would face mood swings because the body is trying to get adopted with the changing environment.

  • Fatigue - It is a problem usually seen in beginners in the initial days but generally overcome as time proceeds.

How to Become Successful in Intermittent Fasting

Always give ears to your body- If you are facing any troubles and difficulties such as feeling weak, or having any health related issue continually for two or more days it is better to take a break.

  • Pre plan your meals - It is advocated that one should pre plan their meals so they can opt for healthier food choices.

  • Stay Busy- As it is observed that staying engaged in something helps one to manage hunger in an effective way. As it prevents overeating.

  • Seek Support - It is always better to join a community who have similar goals as people can encourage you once you feel low.

Who All Should Avoid Intermittent Fasting?

  • People who are having some kind of eating disorders.

  • Pregnant women and lactating women.

  • People who are having any sort of medical condition.

Intermittent fasting can be considered as one of the most effective tools not only for managing weight but also to stay healthy. Never forget that you should choose a plan that suits your age, lifestyle and never ignore what your body says.

Key Takeaways

Intermittent fasting simply means feasting and fasting at a regular interval of time.

Intermittent fasting not only helps to solve problems associated with obesity. In addition to this it promotes an individual to stay healthy.

The most popular methods of intermittent fasting are 16/8 method, 5:2 method, Eat- Stop- Eat method, Alternate day fasting and Warrior diet.

There are several health benefits associated with intermittent fasting like weight loss, improvement in insulin sensitivity, helps in cellular repair, helps in the regulation of hormone level and promotes brain health.

A good start is half done, so choose your plan, work slowly, never forget to stay hydrated, and eat a balanced diet.

There are some side effects associated with it like hunger, headache, fatigue and so on.

It is always better that people with any specific medical conditions, pregnant and lactating women should avoid intermittent fasting.

Source Links

Mykare Health sources its information according to strict guidelines, consulting scholarly research centres, peer-reviewed periodicals, and societies for medical professionals. No tertiary references are used by us. Please refer to our editorial policy. to learn how we maintain the accuracy and timeliness of our material.

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