Do's And Don'ts For Intermittent Fasting

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Fasting benefits

Intermittent fasting involves alternating cycles of fasting and eating. Many studies have shown that following it benefits one's health in many ways like weight loss, improvement in metabolic health and more.

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Do's and don'ts

 One must figure and follow what suits them the best. For any plan to succeed one must know the dos and donts of fasting to avoid mistakes

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Choose the right plan

Evaluate your own physical and mental strength before choosing a plan. Example - if you have a physically demanding job, do not follow a very stern fasting period.

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Do not start abruptly

From eating 3 normal meals or 6 small meals per day to eating within a four-hour window, for example, can be a tough adjustment. Instead, ease into fasting gradually. 

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Eat right

The mistake of eating the wrong foods runs hand in hand with overeating. If you have a fasting window of 6 hours and fill it with fatty, refined or sugary foods, you are not going to feel well at all. One must eat nutritious whole foods.

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Include these

Lean proteins, nuts and legumes, healthy fats, whole fruits and vegetables and unrefined grains should be the mainstay of your diet. Try eating home cooked meals and keep a low sodium intake.

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Drink enough water

Staying adequately hydrated is an important part of intermittent fasting. Headaches, muscle cramps, and intense feelings of hunger can quickly appear if you allow yourself to become dehydrated.

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Exercise

Time your workouts during the eating periods followed by a healthy carb and proteins snack. You can even eat before you start. Stay hydrated during the fast and always listen to your body.

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Eat enough calories

While overeating is not good, eating fewer calories isn't the best idea either. In both cases, you will not be able to lose weight. Do not go below 1200 calories, else you will feel starved and end up bingeing the next day. 

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Take it easy

Some days can be quite tough - if you slip, don't be tough on yourself! It's okay to take a break and give yourself a day to get back.

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