Proper Diet For Intermittent Fasting

July 27, 2022

0

Intermittent Fasting The Best Diet For Type 2 Diabetes

Doctor Mike On Diets: Intermittent Fasting | Diet Review

Type 2 diabetes was once thought to be a chronic disease that could never be cured. You can start medications to control it, but those medications will be with you for life.

Now we know better. As Dr. Jason Fung has said, People are focused on giving drugs to type 2 diabetes, but it is a dietary disease.

He and his team at Intensive Dietary Management Program set out to prove that they can do better than drugs. They recently published a case report of three men with type 2 diabetes who were able to completely stop their insulin and most of the oral drugs while still improving their diabetes control.

How did they do it? Intermittent fasting.

The subjects fasted for 24 hours three to four days per week, going from dinner to dinner without food, while eating lunch and dinner on the other days. They lost between 10 and 18% body weight and between 10 and 22% from their waist circumferences.

But here is the amazing part.

Starting from a daily average of 70 units of insulin, they safely stopped their insulin as quickly as five days into the protocol, with the longest taking only 18 days. That is a dramatic result!

When done correctly, however, intermittent fasting combined with a low carb diet may be the best treatment of type 2 diabetes that we have ever seen.

Thanks for reading,

Also Check: What Can You Eat When Doing Intermittent Fasting

How Many Days A Week Is Fasting Recommended

Intermittent fasting is most effective for losing weight if practiced daily. Although, fasting is never easy due to peoples job shifts, extensive travel, or hectic work schedules. These people may find it difficult to practice intermittent fasting daily and may want to fast on alternate days or at least two times a week.

Extreme fasting techniques and lifestyles, such as fasting for 24 hours one day a week or fasting without drinking water, are not recommended.

On average, if you want to lose weight and shed one pound per week, you have to eat 500 calories less daily .

The two times a week method

You restrict calorie intake in 24 hours to 500 for two days a week.

During the other five days, you resume your normal eating diet .
On the fasting days, you must have high-fiber and high-protein foods to keep the body full and the calorie count low.
Make sure there is a gap of at least one day between the two fasting periods.

This method does not have any fixed fasting and eating window.

The alternate-day fasting method

You restrict calorie intake to about 25 percent of your normal intake, irrespective of the fasting hours.
On non-fasting days, resume your regular diet.

Alternate-day fasting may have harmful consequences in the long run.

Pick A Correct Intermittent Fasting Plan

Its one of the most important questions that many people who are new to fasting have how long should you fast for?

Fasting periods vary, depending on the fasting program method and what works for your lifestyle. Popular regimens include fasting for 16 hours to 24-hour fasts, or even random meal skipping and alternate days of 500 calories.

Its important to choose the right fasting period for your nutritional needs, health, and overall lifestyle.

But when it comes to longer periods and the potential health benefits of using this type of diet for a while, how long is it safe to fast?

In general, extended periods without food can be beneficial to your health but do need to be managed carefully and offset with a balanced diet. For those just starting out, a daily approach to fasting can be the best method, such as the 16:8 or 14:10 plans.

Doctors at the Johns Hopkins Medical center tout the effects of fewer calories that fasting involves and how it leads to metabolic switching and weight loss.

But they do recommend starting with smaller fasting periods and working up to the longer methods, as it takes the body about two weeks to get used to suppressed calorie intake.

If you listen to your body and monitor how youre feeling with the amount of food outside of active fasting, youre the best judge of how long youre able to fast. Just dont push yourself too hard, plan ahead, and discuss any possible health conditions in advance with your doctor.

Best Foods To Eat While Intermittent Fasting

Of all the fad diets of the moment, intermittent fasting has garnered much attention for its convincing evidence in scientific literature. Throughout history, fasting has been utilized as an expression of political dissent, desire for spiritual reward, as well as a therapeutic tool. And it’s recently gained widespread traction among fitness gurus for its touted weight loss and anti-aging effects. But that brings the big question: Is there an ultimate intermittent fasting guide so you know what to eat while you’re on this diet?

First, let’s take a step back and break down the basics: How does the diet work when it comes to these major intermittent fasting health benefits? Scientists postulate that the anti-aging benefits are largely due to increased insulin sensitivity, and weight loss is related to an overall reduced calorie intake because of a shortened feeding window. Simply put, when you have less time during the day to eat, you eat less. Easy, right? But a key concept, as with any diet, is determining feasibility for your lifestyle.

One study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology showed diet-induced weight loss typically leads to a 70 percent regain in weight, so finding any type of weight-loss plan that works best for you and won’t cause you any damage in the future is the key.

For starters, here’s a breakdown of typical intermittent fasting schedules:

We Asked Nutritionist Kerry Torrens For Her View

My Keto Journey: Intermittent Fasting For Better Health

Is it safe?

Much of the emphasis of these diets is on the fasting stage, but in order to be a safe, effective and healthy style of eating, the food consumed during your ‘eating windows’ needs to be of high nutritional value. Aim to include essential fats from oily fish, nuts and seeds, lean sources of protein, wholegrains and starchy carbs and plenty of fruit and vegetables to supply dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Is it effective for weight loss and is it sustainable?

Studies suggest that when you compare IF with daily calorie restriction it is equally as effective at promoting weight loss in those who are overweight and obese. Results will vary, however, dependent on your individual circumstances and the amount of weight you have to lose. How effective it is in the longer term will depend on your ability to maintain this style of eating going forward. This is because IF is not so much a diet but rather a programme of eating, which means sustaining the weight loss is all down to how well you adapt your eating patterns in the long term.

How do different versions of IF compare?

More like this

Who should be more careful when considering fasting?

Please note: if you’re considering attempting any form of diet, please consult your GP first to ensure you can do so without risk to health.

Also Check: Does Fasting Lose Belly Fat

Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting

Can intermittent fasting improve your health? Recent research has found that using intermittent fasting for weight loss may have some benefits in the short term.

It appears that fasting for a short time can produce ketosis, which is a process that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough glucose for energy, so it breaks down stored fat instead. This causes an increase in substances called ketones. This, coupled with fewer calories consumed overall, can lead to weight loss. Research suggests that alternate-day fasting is about as effective as a typical low-calorie diet for weight loss.

Fasting also affects metabolic processes in the body that may work to decrease inflammation, as well as improve blood sugar regulation and physical stress response. Some research shows this may improve conditions associated with inflammation like arthritis, asthma and multiple sclerosis.

Little long-term research has been done on intermittent fasting to examine how it affects people over time. As a result, long-term health benefits or risks are unknown.

How Does It Work

There are several effective approaches, but it all comes down to personal preference. If you want to give intermittent fasting a try, be prepared to figure out what works best for you, says Taylor. It might take some trial and error first.

Some people find it easy to fast for 16 hours and confine meals to just eight hours of the day, such as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while others have a hard time and need to shorten their fasting window, explains Taylor.

Recommended Reading: What Can I Eat While Fasting

Should You Drink Coffee In The Fasted State

Consuming 2-3 cups of coffee while fasting will accelerate your metabolism, reduce your appetite and make you feel good. If you are going to be working out then the coffee will have a positive impact on your strength and stamina.

My absolute favorite type of intermittent fasting coffee for fat burning and reduced appetite is Fasting Fuel. I drink it almost every day.

The effects of coffee seem to last up to 6 hours so even if you train later in the day you should still get an extra kick from the morning coffee. Furthermore, coffee is a rich source of antioxidants and has been shown to have numerous health benefits.

Recommended Reading: When Fasting On Keto What Can I Drink

Cons Of Intermittent Fasting

I Tried Intermittent Fasting & this Happened! | Indian Diet Weight Loss Journey

Intermittent fasting is one way to regulate your calorie intake and work toward improving your metabolic health.

Though the eating pattern can certainly be part of a healthy diet, it will likely take some adjusting to in the beginning. Plus, simply put, intermittent fasting is not right for everyone.

Here are a few downsides you could encounter when first trying intermittent fasting.

Foods To Avoid During The Intermittent Fasting

You need to avoid some foods during intermittent fasting to maintain a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Processed foods such as burgers, fries, and nuggets are high in calories, and they can increase your food cravings. These foods contain fat, added sugar, and empty calories.

Here is the list of foods you need to avoid during your intermittent fasting

Snacks such as fried chips
Sugary drinks like carbonated drinks, coffee, cold coffee
Processed, packed juices

Processed foods such as cheese, meat, etc

Many studies suggest that processed foods and carbonated drinks lead to weight gain. You can replace carbonated drinks with fresh juices and fried foods with healthy salads. Be more mindful while choosing your food to make your intermittent fasting more powerful.

Chicken With Fried Cauliflower Rice

Total time: 35 minutes | Servings: 4

Ingredients:

Kosher salt and pepper

Directions:

In a large, deep skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tbsp oil. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 6 minutes before slicing. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil to the skillet. Add the eggs and scramble until just set, 1 to 2 minutes transfer to a bowl.

To the skillet, add the bell pepper, carrot, and onion and cook, stirring often until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook, 1 minute. Toss with scallions and peas.

Add the cauliflower, soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt and pepper and toss to combine. Then let the cauliflower sit, without stirring, until beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Toss with the sliced chicken and eggs.

Per serving: 427 calories, 45 g protein, 25 g carbs , 16 g fat

Read Also: What Time Does Ramadan Fasting End

What Is The 1: 8 Diet

The 16:8 diet is a form of intermittent fasting where you break the day into two parts: a 16-hour fasting period and an 8-hour period where you consume all your calories.

The 16:8 stems from the 8-Hour Diet book by author David Zinczenko and Peter Moore , former editor-in-chief of Men’s Health. The two created the plan off the back of the popular 5:2 diet, with the main difference being the longer fasting time between eating sessions. This, they say, gives the body the time it needs to process food and burn away extra fat.

The 8-Hour Diet by David Zinczenko and Peter Moore –

Suzie Sawyer , founder of Nutrition Lifestyle, says, “There are no restrictions on the types or amounts of food that a person can eat during the 8-hour window. This flexibility makes the plan relatively easy to follow.”

Egg Scramble With Sweet Potatoes

We would all like to know does intermittent fasting work? Here we have ...

Total time: 25 minutes | Servings: 1

Ingredients:

2 tbsp chopped chive

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425°F. On a baking sheet, toss the sweet potato, onion, rosemary, and salt and pepper. Spray with cooking spray and roast until tender, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spritz a skillet with cooking spray and scramble the eggs on medium, about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve with the spuds.

Per serving: 571 calories, 44 g protein, 52 g carbs , 20 g fat

Dont Miss: How Do You Know If Intermittent Fasting Is For You

Intermittent Fasting Can Enhance Any Diet

If youve found one of the above diets works for you, you can enhance your results by combining your eating plan with intermittent fasting. IF works well with any weight loss plan. You can add an IF protocol any time you feel youve reached a plateau with your current diet. For maximum results, use IF alongside your diet for the long term. When you eat and what you eat can work together to help you achieve better health and more significant weight loss.

Can Be A Sustainable Lifestyle Change

Intermittent fasting might sound complicated and intimidating, but it can be simple at times. In fact, you might even find that fasting helps simplify your day since you need to plan fewer meals.

Whats more, it doesnt typically require calorie counting, watching your macros, eating certain foods that you might not be used to eating, or eliminating certain foods that you otherwise enjoy.

For example, having an early dinner followed by a late breakfast the next day is one way to fast intermittently. If you finish your last meal at 8 p.m. and dont eat until noon the next day, youve technically fasted for 16 hours.

For people who get hungry in the morning and like to eat breakfast, or for those who cant eat until later in the evening due to work schedules and other obligations, this method may be hard to get used to.

However, other people instinctively eat this way already. They may be more prone to trying out an intermittent fasting eating pattern.

Eat Often Or Intermittent Fasting

The main difference between eating less but more often and strict periods without meals is a hormonal change.

Accordingly, intermittent fasting shows a more potent reduction of insulin levels as well as insulin resistance, which enables better fat burning .

In addition to the growth hormone, which protects muscle mass, the hormone noradrenaline increases to boost metabolism during fasting .

In contrast to intermittent fasting, conventional calorie restriction leads to a loss of muscle mass. Also, the basal metabolic rate decreases if you eat less but frequently.

Consequently, a study with the participants of the weight-loss TV show The Biggest Loser revealed that those participants who lost the most weight through calorie restriction suffered the longest from a weak metabolism.

Since it was precisely these participants who were again rapidly gaining weight, scientists observed a severe yo-yo effect in them .

What You Can Eat And What You Can’t

Top 10 Foods To Eat For Intermittent Fasting Benefits

You can eat mostly what you want on days when you donât fast. But to lose weight and get the nutrients you need, you should stick to healthy foods and limit treats like dessert and processed foods.

On fasting days, youâll eat very little food or none at all.

For example, the Every Other Day Diet says to eat no more than 500 calories during each fast day.

Another program called the 5:2 Fast Diet involves eating 5 days a week and fasting for the other 2 days, when women can get no more than 500 calories and men no more than 600. Thatâs a quarter of the amount you likely eat on the days when you donât fast. Whether you eat those calories in one sitting or spread them across micro-meals throughout the day is up to you.

Also Check: What To Eat After Fasting To Lose Weight

Can You Lose Weight With Intermittent Fasting

Research has found a link between intermittent fasting and weight loss, but there isn’t much research to prove that intermittent fasting is a better weight loss method than other diets. For example, a meta-analysis published in the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reportsin 2018 found that intermittent fasting had similar weight loss results to a traditional calorie-restricted diet.

In some cases, even when intermittent fasting did lead to weight loss, it wasn’t the most sustainable diet. One randomized clinical trial of 100 metabolically healthy, obese adults found that those who fasted every other day for a year only lost slightly more weight than those who ate a restricted-calorie diet on a daily basis. The difference in weight loss was so small that it wasnt considered clinically significant, and 38 percent of people in the alternate-day fasting group had trouble sticking with the diet.