Intermittent Fasting: 5 Myths That You Should Stop Believing Right Away

Intermittent fasting is slowly gaining ground and everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon. But, there are also various myths surrounding it.

Intermittent fasting: Diets, keeping fasts have also become a health fad these days. There are different types of diets and fasting rules that people resort to in order to lose weight, follow the health trend, a healthy body, etc. Intermittent fasting is one of them. Seems heard of? Recently, there has been a growing curiosity around it, about its rules, the foods we can eat, etc. Along with curiosity, some myths have also developed that need to be debunked immediately. Nutritionist Lovneet Batra has debunked some of those myths and presents the real facts to go along with them.

Fasting has become more and more common. In fact, intermittent fasting, a dietary pattern that alternates between periods of fasting and eating, is often touted as a miracle diet. However, not everything you’ve heard about IF is true.

Each person’s intermittent fasting experience is individual, and different styles will suit different people. So if you’re practicing intermittent fasting, or considering doing it, it’s important to get the information right.

Myths and facts about intermittent fasting

1. Myth: Intermittent fasting essentially means skipping breakfast.
   Made: Breakfast does not greatly affect your weight, although there may be some individual variability. Some studies even suggest that people who lose weight long-term tend to eat breakfast.
2. Myth: Intermittent fasting is the miracle cure for weight loss
   Made: Intermittent fasting is a good solution to lose a few kilos, but the result is not guaranteed.
3. Myth: All intermittent fasting is the same.
   Made: There are various types of IF plans, TRE (16:8) – 16 hour fast & Consume food within 8 hours. Other TRE patterns have daily feeding intervals ranging from 12 hours to one hour.
4. Myth: Intermittent fasting is good for everyone.
   Made: Fasting would be inadvisable for those with a history of an eating disorder or those who are currently underweight or in a frail or debilitated state.
5. Myth: You must eat what you want during the eating window.
   Made: The eating window is not a time to reach for less healthy foods or make up for missed opportunities to eat, it is a time to eat a well-balanced diet.

Intermittent fasting is safe for many people, but not everyone. Skipping meals may not be the best way to control your weight if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux, diabetes or other medical problems, you should consult with experts before starting it.

Note: Always consult a professional to make changes to your diet to follow proper weight loss regimens or to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some things may be subject to individual body requirements.