Perfect time to fast
WITH everything that’s going on in the world right now, starting a diet or healthier eating routine probably isn’t atop your priority list – and that’s A-OK by me.
These are seriously trying times and the stress of losing weight, implementing new food “rules” and shaking up your routine could be enough to tip you over the edge.
If you are, however, looking to use this time to make some healthy changes, here’s an idea that might be suitable for you: intermittent fasting.
What is intermittent fasting?
In case you’ve been living under a rock, intermittent fasting isn’t a diet in the typical sense of the word.
It’s more focused on when, rather than what, you eat, with the main protocols being 5:2 and 16:8.
The former revolves around two days per week of ultra-low energy intake (about 500 calories) and normal eating the rest of the time, whereas the latter involves a 16-hour fast every single day (in other words, a daily eighthour window in which you eat as you normally would).
Intermittent fasting is not for everyone. Pregnant women and those with diabetes, for example, should steer clear of fasting.
Intermittent fasting has been linked to a lot of health benefits. While it’s no more effective than a standard calorie-controlled diet, it can help with weight loss.
It’s also been associated with metabolic health perks, protection from disease and improved gut health, so it’s an exciting area of scientific research.
Three reasons to try it now
So, why is now, in the midst of a global pandemic, a good time to jump on the fasting bandwagon?
1. Your schedule is completely up to you: Working from home means your life is a whole lot more flexible, which is a good thing if you’re giving intermittent fasting a go. You’ll be able to pay more attention to establishing a new routine and, if 5:2 is your jam, have more time to experiment in the kitchen with healthy new low-cal foods.
2. Your social life won’t get in the way: One of the pitfalls of intermittent fasting is it requires forethought, especially if you’ve got a buzzing social life. With most people laying low at the moment, however, you won’t have to worry about factoring in social catch-ups, date nights and office birthdays.
3. You’ll be better equipped to adjust to the side effects: When you’re at work, struggling to concentrate and being hangry isn’t ideal. When you’re not at work, it’s easier to occupy yourself with other tasks to take your mind off the unpleasant side effects, which will make the start easier.
Tips for coping with fasting days
Here are my three top tips for making it through.
Distract yourself: There’s no denying it, fasting can be tough, so it’ll pay to have tactics up your sleeve to distract you from your incessant hunger pangs.
Schedule in some “me” time, organise a walk with a friend or treat yourself to the next episode of Normal People in those times you know you’ll be feeling it.
Plan: You can’t just wing fasting, you have to have a strategy – and stick to it. If you’re doing 5:2, it’ll pay to know what days you’re going to fast on at the start of the week and have a meal plan with low-calorie recipes on hand.
Be creative: On 5:2 fasting days, you want to stretch your calories as far as possible and opt for foods that offer little energy in large quantities.
Fruit and vegies are some of the best options for getting bang for your calorie buck. Not to mention, they’re ohso-good for you, too.
Melissa Meier is a Sydneybased accredited practising dietitian. bodyandsoul.com