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Nutrition

Healthy Ways to Eat

Clock showing 8 hours
Keeping an 8 hours eating period the 16/8 method

What is Intermittent Fasting

Healthy Ways To Eat. Intermittent Fasting is a healthier system of eating. When you eat is more important than what you eat. This is true so long as you are not eating junk food. Intermittent Fasting is Simple, Flexible, and Completely Free

The Modern 3 Meals a Day Diet

The image shows a 3 supporting the 3 methods
Three popular methods of intermittent fasting

Firstly, our 3 meals a day method of eating was the result of culture. Secondly, it was not through necessity. To clarify, our ancestors who were hunter-gatherers did not eat three meals a day. Furthermore, they had to eat only when food was available, which was not a daily occurrence.

No reduced Energy Levels

Person showing fatigue due to low energy
Low energy was not a problem to our ancestors

This meant their bodies had to adapt to eating when food was available with often days when no food was available. Sometimes they would hunt and return empty-handed. But, it did not have serious reduced energy problems for them. Also, they did not eat snacks between meals the way many of us do now.

Types of Intermittent Fasting

Healthy Ways To Eat. Intermittent Fasting has become a prevalent system due to the ease and the ability to sustain it without restricting food and feeling hungry. Besides, it is also efficient at reducing unwanted, unhealthy weight. The three most popular versions are, Eat-Stop-Eat: The 5:2 method: and The 16/8 method:

Eat Stop Eat Method:

Eat-Stop-Eat: This involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week, for example, by not eating from dinner one day until dinner the next day with at least one day between fasts. But, when I tried this method, it did not suit me as I ended up breaking fasts.

The 5:2 method:

The 5:2 method: Firstly, with this method, you consume only 500–600 calories on two non-consecutive days of the week. Secondly, you then eat normally for the other 5 days. However, I managed a month on this system. I was not too fond of it as it made me grumpy, and my wife asked me to try something else. However you might find it compatible with your self.

The 16:8 Method

The 16/8 method: Also called the lean gains protocol. It involves skipping breakfast and restricting your daily eating period to 8 hours, such as 12 pm–8 p.m. After that, you fast for 16 hours in between. Certainly, I liked this method, but I changed the eating window to 8 am–4 p.m. here are my reasons:

Eating morning or evening

Image depicts late or night to support postm item
Evening was too late for me

Healthy Ways To Eat. I decided that eating at the later time of 12-8 pm did not suit me. When you sleep, your body heals itself by renewing cells and repairing muscle tears from training and recharging your batteries. These are essential maintenances that must happen to keep you healthy. I like to exercise early before eating; it seems to suit me better. That is why I chose to eat with an earlier window.

The morning was better for me

Image of sunrise to support earlier eating window
Eating with an earlier window suited me

However, if you eat late, you divert some of that healing energy for digesting the food you have eaten. Therefore, it is better in my humble opinion to eat earlier and allow the body to use all its energy for healing and repair during sleep. Certainly, I can assure you it has proved the right decision for me.

Weight loss

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Losing weight is a boost to your health

For example, by reducing your calorie intake. However, these methods should cause weight loss if you do not compensate by eating much more during the eating periods. Consequently, you should veer away from junk food and try to eat wholesome, healthy food wherever possible. After all, it’s your health.

Popularity

So, many people find the 16/8 method to be the simplest and the easiest to follow. As a result, it is also a very popular method. Consequently, I found that to be the best method for me. Furthermore, I have been using it for 18 months and have never had any problems, and I never feel hungry after my last meal.

In Conclusion

Intermittent Fasting may not be for everyone. However, you would have to decide on the method that suits you best. Most importantly, it would be best if you did not start intermittent fasting without your doctor’s advice. Always listen to your body as it knows what is best for you. Intermittent fasting may not suit your medication or your state of health. You would be wrong to start any intermittent fasting, without first seeking medical advice.

Important Note *

Remember that everyone is different, and it is ultimately YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find what your body responds to… Please do your own due diligence before trying anything new, including getting Medical Advice to ensure your safety and peace of mind.

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