Intermittent fasting often gets mistaken for a diet or quick fix to lose a bit of weight. However, it’s not. A human’s typical eating pattern consists of three meals a day; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Intermittent fasting differs from this, alternating between cycles of eating and fasting. Unlike a diet that may advise you to avoid or restrict eating certain foods, intermittent fasting doesn’t. It tells you when to eat as opposed to what not to eat. If you’re considering trying intermittent fasting, here are some Dos and Don’ts you should read beforehand.
Chapter Overview
Intermittent Fasting Do’s
Do: Seek Medical Advice
You must discuss your intention to intermittently fast with your doctor beforehand. This is particularly important if you have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes. Intermittent fasting can prove dangerous to someone with low blood sugar. Your doctor will know your medical history and will be able to better advise you. They may suggest a better alternative for you, based on your health. Although intermittent fasting is a popular method of becoming healthier, it’s not suitable for everyone.
Do: Drink Plenty of Fluids
If you’re not eating, you must drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated throughout your fasting period. Approximately 20% of our daily water consumption comes from our food so if you’re not eating, it’s even more important to drink more to keep hydrated. As mentioned by https://21dayhero.com/what-can-you-drink-during-intermittent-fasting/, keeping hydrated can help stave off giddiness, headaches, and even constipation. Water is an obvious choice and is a must, even for those strictly fasting. Otherwise, you can opt for no-calorie or low-calorie drinks when fasting.
Dry fasting is a new and dangerous follow-on from intermittent fasting and is not something health professionals recommend. It can not only be deadly but also cause urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and even organ failure. It’s one thing to not eat for most of the day, but to not eat and drink is extremely dangerous and should never be seen as an effective and safe way to diet.
Do: Make the Right Food Choices
No amount of intermittent fasting will help you lose weight or become healthier if you’re making the wrong food choices when you break your fast. Why do all that work for nothing? It doesn’t make sense. The best way to reap the benefits of fasting is to ensure your food choices are beneficial to your healthy eating. This way you will benefit the efforts of your dedication to this way of eating.
Intermittent Fasting Don’ts
Don’t: Ignore your Body
Listen to your body – it knows best when it’s suffering and will try to tell you in many ways. If you’ve started intermittent fasting and are experiencing headaches, dizziness, or an upset stomach, consider tweaking what you’re doing or even seeking medical advice. You may need to accept this isn’t the right approach for your body and look for a suitable alternative.
Another thing to consider is that you may have to vary the exercises you do on the days you’re fasting, especially if they’re demanding. Your body may not be able to cope with an intense regime if it’s not had its usual fuel to keep it going.
Don’t: Break Your Fast Quickly
Take your time and start with a small meal or snack that’s nutritious and will meet your body’s initial needs after fasting. You’ll be glad you did this afterward. If you go straight on into a big meal, you may consume more than you actually want or need. This could leave you feeling sick, so go little and slow, until you know what your body wants each time you break your fast.
Don’t: Just Eat Anything During Non-Fasts
Plan what you’re going to eat on the days or times you’re not fasting. Make them healthy and nutritious. Fasting will not be of any benefit to you if you’re eating a burger and chips, followed by a donut and milkshake just because you want to treat yourself to fasting for most of the day. Make sensible options and your body will show you how grateful it is.
Intermittent fasting undoubtedly has many benefits. These will vary according to your personal reasons for fasting. Your benefits will also depend upon how well you act during both fasting and when you break it. Making sensible choices will enable you to benefit from fasting and achieve the results you’re looking for. If you’re constantly having cheat days or treating yourself, then your desired results may take longer to achieve. However, we cannot stress enough the importance of seeking medical advice before you embark on this lifestyle change and research to find the most suitable way for you.