intermittent fasting (if), according to a survey of my fellow dieticians, is expected to continue to be the number one “diet trend” of 2022 — even ahead of the keto diet, which if has kicked out of first place for the second consecutive year.
certainly, given that if does not require one to omit the majority of foods available to them, it makes sense to consider it a more “sustainable” trend. however, you do not need to do intermittent fasting to be healthier, no matter what your friends, family or some internet guru says.
and while if may seem intriguing — and can be beneficial for some — that doesn’t mean it’s the best thing since sliced bread (although thankfully, unlike a keto diet, you can indeed eat bread with if
).
what is intermittent fasting?
intermittent fasting can be hard to define as it encompasses everything from eating literally nothing for a day or more — which is rare and less frequently practiced— to eating within an eight hour daily window. this is known as 16:8 — a more common practice that involves fasting for 16 hours and restricting the time you eat to eight hours. this often amounts to little more than skipping breakfast.
is it worth a try?
first of all, intermittent fasting will never be more important than enjoying your daily life, your mental health, a good relationship with food and your overall dietary pattern. so if you have to sacrifice any of the above in order to fit in a fasting regimen, that’s a big red flag. this is also true of individuals with very high calorie needs like growing adolescents, pregnant/breastfeeding women, and those who take medication where the absorption or functionality is contingent on food intake at specific times.