Why it's easier to starve when it's called intermittent fasting. Mihaela Bilic: “It gives us energy and even a sense of well-being”

Intermittent fasting involves two main meals a day, eaten six to eight hours apart, with no snacks between meals. “We can make a habit for life, it has no risks, only benefits”claims nutritionist Mihaela Bilic.

“It's easier for us to starve when it's called…intermittent fasting. Called in English, this eating style alternates periods of black fasting with periods of normal eating. The most common practice is the 16/8 method, which means not eating anything for 16 hours, and in the remaining eight hours having two main meals. There are other models: black fasting for 24 hours, one or two days a week, or the five-by-two method (five days a week we eat normally, and two days we eat very little, i.e. 500-600 cal/day)”writes Dr. Mihaela Bilic, on the Facebook page.

According to the nutritionist, intermittent fasting is a flexible and easy-to-follow regime, everyone can find the rhythm that suits them. It essentially involves main meals a day, eaten six to eight hours apart, with no snacks between meals. We can make this eating style a lifelong habit: it has no risks, only benefits.

“Sparse meals put the body into ketosis, regulate insulin levels, stimulate growth hormone synthesis and unlock weight loss. We also discipline our eating behavior, learn to stop nibbling and strengthen our tolerance to hunger.” claims Dr. Bilic.

With the help of intermittent fasting, the metabolism benefits, food breaks give it a break to clean and regenerate cells.

“Autophagy is activated, a process by which the body digests and recycles all the proteins from waste, dead and aged cells. Fasting has an antiaging effect, improves type 2 diabetes and inhibits inflammatory processes. And for those who want to get rid of the extra kilos, fasting is a quick solution to lose weight, mainly fat deposits are melted and muscle mass is protected”explains the nutritionist.

What are the negative effects of intermittent fasting?

The nutritionist claims that slight dehydration can occur if we do not consume enough fluids.

“In the beginning, there may be a state of irritability and insomnia, which quickly disappear once we get into the rhythm. A state of weakness with drowsiness is also described until the body learns to cope with hunger. Bad breath also appears, which confirms our acidosis state, so losing weight works!”says Mihaela Bilic.

In conclusion, two to three weeks are enough to get used to and detach from the food.

“Besides getting in shape, the absence of food clears our mind, gives us energy and even a sense of well-being. Eating less and less frequently is healthy, so it's no wonder that fasting has come to be recommended by religion and medicine as well. It deserves a try!”concludes Dr. Bilic.