Should you incorporate intermittent fasting in your lifestyle?

What exactly is intermittent fasting? Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. 

There are different ways to practice intermittent fasting. Most popular methods include the following:  

The 16/8 Method:Designate 8 hours of the day to eat and fast the 16 hours left in the 24-hour day. 

Eat Stop Eat Method:Fast for 24 hours once or twice a week and eat normally the rest of the week. 

The 5:2 Method:Restrict your calories to 500 calories/day on two days out of the week and then eat normally for the rest of the 5 days. 

So, what are the health benefits of intermittent fasting?

Studies have been done in both animals and humans that intermittent fasting can have powerful benefits for your health and weight. Intermittent fasting can help with maintaining your weight, reduce inflammation, reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and improve your brain health. 

All of my life, I have been disciplined to have a set time frame to eat and to stop eating at a specific time. Eating during “sleep hours” was never encouraged in my home.  As soon as I wake up at 6am I am stuffing my face with food. I continue to eat my day away up until I have my evening snack and tea which is all before 6pm. Intermittent fasting is not something new in my lifestyle and it’s something to consider to keep you disciplined. The best way to do intermittent fasting is my 12/12 method which is setting 12 hours out of the day to eat and then fast the rest of the 12 hours. 

Always consult with your physician.