Experimenting with intermittent fasting: A journalist's journey
A science journalist decided to experiment with the increasingly popular trend of intermittent fasting. This approach focuses not on special food but rather on its absence. By adopting intermittent fasting, she set two goals, not just weight loss.
Among the myriad diets recommended by experts and various gurus, intermittent fasting is a novel concept. However, unlike other eating methods, it is fundamentally straightforward. You need to adhere to certain strict rules. This eating regime is followed by individuals such as Elon Musk and Jennifer Aniston.
Intermittent fasting involves eating only during a specific portion of the day and fasting for the remainder. This necessitates a change in metabolism, resulting in lower blood glucose levels and increased production of ketone bodies, which helps maintain a healthy weight. The body produces ketone bodies from fat tissue, intensifying fat burning.
She conducted an experiment with fasting on herself
The journalist from Newsweek's Science section conducted a personal experiment with intermittent fasting, setting herself two goals: to lose 1.5 stone and reduce her blood glucose levels. To achieve this, she selected one of the stricter variants, 16:8, which means she ate only within an eight-hour window each day. Other variants include 14:10, 18:6, and even 20:4, where the higher number indicates the daily fasting hours.
Her eating window lasted from noon to 8 PM. She focused on consuming relatively healthy meals and avoiding junk food during this time. Following 16 hours of fasting, she would have a hearty breakfast, such as porridge and a sandwich with egg or cheese. Lunch comprised soup, roasted vegetables, or salad. Dinner was the most substantial meal; perhaps due to the prospect of a 16-hour fast, she didn’t restrain herself and often indulged in something sweet, like toffee or chocolate.
She practiced intermittent fasting. These are the effects
Initially, the experience was challenging for the journalist. The eating window felt too short, hunger disturbed her sleep, and she struggled to wait until breakfast. However, after the first week, things began to settle. Her sleep improved, and she no longer experienced sudden hunger pangs. She also felt full with smaller portions.
It soon became evident that the journalist's goals were attainable. Her blood glucose levels showed significant improvement, but that wasn't the only outcome.
Ultimately, after two months, the journalist decided to stop intermittent fasting. Why? Although many people find that hunger subsides during fasting hours, she was not as fortunate and continually felt hungry in the morning and late evening. She found maintaining this eating pattern a burdensome routine. Gradually, she began to abandon it, yet she asserts that the results from those two months were worth the effort.
