Maybe you’ve heard of intermittent fasting, but you don’t know what it is or how it’s done. There has been a lot of talk about this topic for some time now, and there are those who fast without knowing it. Before entering this process, inform yourself.

Let’s start by explaining that this is not a diet, but a lifestyle, a method of eating preferably healthy foods during a certain period of the day, and you can practice it throughout your life.

There are several types of intermittent fasting. I will only focus on 12-12 which is the easiest and which I practice regularly. It has helped me a lot with my digestive system.

You have to go 12 hours without eating, and the good thing is that the time you sleep is included. For example, if your last meal was at 7:30 p.m., your breakfast should be no later than 7:30 a.m.

It is not difficult and has great advantages, such as:

1. Helps to cleanse and restore our intestinal microbiota (flora).
2. Helps to calm and relieve the digestive system.
3. Helps control insulin levels.
4. Promotes the process of cell recovery.
5. Soul mercy.
6. Controlled weight loss using fat stores.

If you haven’t heard the term intestinal microbiota (flora), it refers to a set of living bacteria, and they are responsible for the health of our intestines.

How to start fasting? I argue that consultation of a medical professional who knows this problem and compliance with his recommendations is mandatory.

Hydration is key and important. This change should not cause concern, it is a friendly relationship with your body and mind. We have the opportunity to do without food for more than a day. If you have never followed intermittent fasting, you may feel a little tired for the first few days, then energy and lightness return.

The main problem is withdrawal from food. Practice should be voluntary and should not cause stress, on the contrary, you should feel comfortable doing it. If you can’t go without food for 12 hours, you may have a food addiction, that’s the biggest challenge.

You choose when you want to eat, 2, 3 or 5 meals, it is important that you meet the necessary needs of protein, carbohydrates and fats with healthy food, avoiding processed food. If you want to lose weight, you should integrate an exercise program that can be done on an empty stomach. If you are in doubt about your daily nutrient intake, you should consult a nutritionist.

There are foods that you can eat that do not stimulate metabolism and make fasting more pleasant, for example, black coffee, tea or infusion, water with lemon, some broths that do not contain sweeteners.

What to eat when talking? The goal of fasting is good health, let’s remember that it is not a diet, but it is important that you provide your body with whole foods that are rich in nutrients, avoiding processed foods, sausages, soft drinks or juices, artificial sweeteners. .. the list is long. For breakfast, you can choose from eggs, whole grains, Greek yogurt, fruit, broths, and more. You should be careful if you have an allergy or intolerance to one of these products.

Despite the fact that the human body is genetically more than prepared and designed for fasting, there are some cases when it is contraindicated, for example, children, pregnancy or lactation, diseases such as eating disorders, multiple sclerosis, multiple system atrophy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. If you suffer from any other medical condition, it is important to consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

As for health, you should not take risks, only you are responsible for your health. This is why I must insist: consult your doctor before starting any changes in your diet and intermittent fasting. Take care of yourself and yours!

(Author Healthy Eating Chef, Owner, Cryolite)