You may have heard of the recent diet trend called Intermittent Fasting, but what exactly is it and is it safe to do? Those who practice Intermittent Fasting schedule out their meals. They allow certain hours for eating and certain hours for fasting (not eating anything at all). Most commonly, they allow an 8 hour window for the meals followed by a 16 hour window for fasting.
With this diet, the focus is not on what foods you are consuming and is instead solely focused on the time frames with which you allow yourself to eat which is a major draw to those who are seeking to lose weight while not sacrificing the foods they love. It is; however, important to keep in mind that they foods eaten during your eating window be high quality foods - don't just eat junk foods.
For the most part, Intermittent Fasting is safe to practice but as with most diets, it is important to consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your food intake. People with pre-existing conditions such as low blood sugar or low blood pressure will definitely want to consult their doctor first.
Are there products that can help supplement an Intermittent Fasting diet? In short, yes. During periods of fasting, it is important to ensure your body is still getting the nutrients and vitamins that it needs. The first thing to remember is to stay hydrated with water. In general, Intermittent Fasting has no time frame limits on when you can intake water, so don't forget to have water with you especially during fasting windows.
Amino Acids or Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are a great supplement to add to your regimen to help prevent muscle breakdown, especially during times when you body is in a caloric deficit.
Multi Vitamins are a great way to ensure your body is getting all of the essential vitamins and nutrients that it may be missing out on due to the meal cutbacks.
Whether you're getting ready for a workout or just going about your day, Pre-Workout and Caffeine can help give your body that boost of energy it needs during periods of fasting.
These are just a few examples of supplements that can help aid an Intermittent Fasting diet. If you'd like more information, stop by either of our Florida Discount Nutrition locations and speak with one of our Certified Nutrition Coaches. We are always more than happy to answer all of your health and nutrition questions.