Fasting is becoming a new health trend in the UK and is worth considering to support a variety of conditions, such as digestive imbalances, detoxification as well as aiding reversal of insulin resistance (a pre-diabetic condition) and can help to support weight loss.
Over snacking
We have become a nation of snackers and there is limited awareness that regular eating can be detrimental to our long-term health. Constantly bombarding our bodies with food and drink can be overwhelming to our physiology. Every time we eat or drink something other than water we produce insulin, overproduction of insulin can lead to insulin resistance and long term to type 2 diabetes. Excess insulin that is created when people are insulin resistant will also lead to weight gain.
Fasting
Offers a simple and effective solution to these issues.
How do you Fast?
There are no rules with fasting – the simplest option is to start by extending the time between your last meal of the day and your breakfast the next morning, aiming for a 12-hour break or fast. Therefore, if you finish eating at 7.30PM you would not eat again until 7.30AM the next day.
Fasting options
16:8
Other options include a 16:8 approach to fasting – you would have an eight-hour eating window every day for 7 days a week – so, for example, you would have your first meal at 11AM and finish your second or third meal by 7PM. The great thing is you can move this window around to suit your needs.
Intermittent Fasting
When following an intermittent fasting regime, you would eat 500-600 calories a day on 2-3 days a week and then eat normally on the non-low calorie days, sticking to your daily calorie recommendation based on your metabolic rate and level of activity. This has become a popular method to support weight loss.
Drinks when you are fasting
On fasting days it is advised to drink water, tea coffee as well as green and herbal teas.
N.B. Fasting when on Medication
If taking medication for diabetes or hypertension it is advised that you have regular medication reviews when changing your diet.
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