There are some good reasons why you rarely read about dieting in our magazine. First of all, diets are simply no fun. Secondly, who knows what really works? While some rely on raw foods, others swear on pills or superfoods. So far none of these concepts has really convinced us.
But then intermittent fasting came along with alternating phases of fasting and normal eating. And instead of disappearing altogether with the other diets after a few months, it just stayed around. Your brother follows it, your friend loves it and you feel like half of the net community does it, too. The low-key tenor: it just works, does good.
Reason enough for us to give intermittent fasting (IF) a try. And what can we say? Works and does good! Go for it - just read this guide and get started.
5 reasons to try intermittent fasting.
In contrast to classic diets, intermittent fasting is not mainly about losing weight. Instead, it follows a holistic approach. Intermittent fasting is meant to increase well-being and strengthen health.¹
The positive effects could derive from the fact that in primeval times man only hunted or collected food now and then. The body is therefore designed to cope with long food breaks and benefits from them. These benefits are waiting for you:
1. Intermittent fasting prevents diseases.
In longer calorie-free phases, the body is not busy digesting. It uses the free resources to tidy up the cells. During the so-called autophagy, inflammation processes are reduced and damage is repaired. When autophagy begins varies from person to person. In general, the following applies: After 12-16 hours, the body switches to the altered metabolic mode.²
2. Intermittent fasting improves your skin.³
You will notice the success of autophagy particularly quickly on your skin complexion. By fasting, it will be purer and more even, pimples and redness will disappear.
3. Intermittent fasting balances your body shape.
Of course, the change in eating habits also has an influence on fat deposits. This is because after about 12 hours without food supply, the body first drains its reserves, preferably in the abdominal region. This fact is well proven.⁴ If there are none, you have nothing to fear. Muscles are not metabolized during intermittent fasting.
4. Intermittent fasting boosts your mood.⁵
Because the body has less energy to send to the bowel, it has more energy left for other things: for example, producing happiness hormones, developing creative ideas and being active. This makes you happy and awake.
5. Intermittent fasting works like an anti-aging remedy.
Studies with animals show that the cells undergo a true rejuvenation cure when fasting. Everything old and used is disposed of. Some doctors believe that intermittent fasting can even prolong life.⁶
Intermittent fasting is that simple.
There is only one rule for intermittent fasting: you may eat what you want - but only during a fixed period of time. During the other period only water and unsweetened teas are allowed.
You can choose your own fasting times. That is why intermittent fasting is particularly suitable for beginners. Start with a few hours and approach your ideal rhythm with tiny baby steps.
These are the most common concepts:
- 5:2 or 6:1 - You fast one or two whole days a week and eat as usual for the rest of the week.
- 16:8 or 20:4 - You fast for 16 or 20 hours a day and eat normally for the rest of the day.
Tips for intermittent fasting.
- This diet is extremely flexible and therefore suitable for everyday use. The fasting periods are not fixed, but can be postponed according to individual circumstances. Even daily if necessary. Listen to your body and adjust the fasting periods so that they suit you.⁷
- You can practice intermittent fasting permanently without hesitation. This way you avoid the typical yoyo effect.
- Do not fast when you are having a stressful time or are pregnant. A relaxed phase of life is suitable for the start.
- The FLSK drinking bottle and the muki snack pot are the perfect companions for your new eating style. They offer practical help in maintaining the eating rhythm in everyday life:
- During the fasting periods you should drink plenty of tea and water. The FLSK reminds you of this and keeps your liquids at the right temperature.
- You fast in the morning, but are out and about during the day? You can simply take your breakfast with you in the muki to enjoy it later.
- During the fasting periods you should drink plenty of tea and water. The FLSK reminds you of this and keeps your liquids at the right temperature.
Footnotes:
¹ https://www.helmholtz.de/gesundheit/was-bringt-intervallfasten/
² https://www.onmeda.de/anatomie/autophagie.html
³ https://www.hautarztzentrum-kiel.de/fasten-hilft-der-haut/
⁴ https://www.dge.de/ernaehrungspraxis/diaeten-fasten/intervallfasten/
⁶ https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/205110/Intervallfasten-Essen-mit-Blick-auf-die-Uhr
⁷ https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/so-sinnvoll-ist-intervallfasten-115735/