Here’s the tea ~ I tried intermittent fasting once again. I’ve tried this in the past when I was sick with SIBO and as most of you may expect, that didn’t turn out well for me. I thought I loved it, but it turned out I would actually eat way more food and became super hangry when it came to feeding time. Then, it sparked a horrible food relationship and a non-stop cycle of starving and binge eating.
It’s now years later. I don’t have SIBO or leaky gut, but I do still have candida. This is something that will stick with me for the next few months as I follow my treatment. BUT, the big difference with candida is that it doesn’t make me feel starved. Meaning, intermittent fasting wasn’t too bad this time around.
While this is wasn’t good for me then, it’s gotten better for me now. If you’re considering testing out intermittent fasting for yourself, here’s a little more info on the subject and some tips I’ve got up my sleeve.
What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting is where you don’t eat for a certain amount of hours, and when you eat during a feeding period you have set for yourself. There are various different ways you can do this, but personally, I like to do the 16:8 window. This means I don’t eat for 16 hours, and then I eat for 8. As always do what suits you the best! If you’re wanting to do an 18:6 or a total 24 hour stop, consider slowly working your digestive system up to it.
Some other common windows are listed below:
- 16:8 ~ where you fast for 16 hours and eat for 8
- 18:6 ~ you fast for 18 hours and eat for 6
- 24-hour stop-start ~ fasting for 24 hours once or twice a week
The benefits
Now, there have been studies/thoughts about how intermittent fasting can be beneficial to your diet (obviously) if it’s done correctly. Being done “correctly” basically means for all the right reasons. For instance, if you’re sick with SIBO and are wanting to restrict yourself, this could call for a recipe for disaster.
But for the health benefits, here are a few that I found to be interesting:
- Fights inflammation: I don’t know the total science behind this and how it all works, but it’s thought to help reduce inflammation. I have noticed this as my belly doesn’t get as bloated in the mornings.
- Boosts brain function: Since you’re fasting, you most likely will notice an increase in focus and brain function. In addition to the decrease of inflammation, this could help any inflammation in your head, supporting this case more.
- Helps with weight loss: Since you’re cutting out a meal, this does help with weight loss. You may add those lost calories into your eating window somehow, or your appetite may not fit the template anymore. Meaning, you may shed a few pounds. BUT ALWAYS, listen to your body.
- Could delay aging: Oddly enough, fasting could significantly help you live longer. Based on this Healthline article (where I found all my research), rats tested in this study that did intermittent fasting lived 83% longer than rats that didn’t fast.
Tools I like to use
Now, there are some different tools to help you reach your fasting goals. Personally, I’ve been using Zero. (This isn’t a sponsored posts ~ so this is completely unbiased!)
This app has you put in your goals to determine your ideal fasting window. From there, all you have to do is track when you start and when you finish your fast. Throughout the day and night, Zero will send you notifications on when you’re coming up to the end of your fast. This has been a game-changer in my fasting journey.
As always, be cautious of the downside effects this could have on your body. Just because I’ve had a positive experience doesn’t mean everyone will! *PLEASE* go easy on yourself and listen to your body if you try this out for yourself.
Always listen to your body and figure out what works for you!
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