Some diets aim to curb your appetite to reduce your food intake, while others suggest restricting your intake of calories and either carbs or fat. This can lead to weight loss — unless you compensate by eating too much food during allowed eating periods. Other studies found that intermittent fasting can increase fat burning while preserving muscle mass, which can improve metabolism 3, 4. Other benefits: Intermittent fasting has been linked to anti-aging effects, increased insulin sensitivity, improved brain health, reduced inflammation, and many other benefits 5, 6. That said, those sensitive to drops in their blood sugar levels, such as some people with diabetes, low weight, or an eating disorder, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women, should talk to a health professional before starting intermittent fasting.
Back to Healthy weight. The stock library no longer exists. Image was incorporated into the webpage during the subscription term and can be used indefinitely in the same page – subject to thinkstock subscription rules. The diet is based on a principle known as intermittent fasting IF, where you eat normally for 5 days a week and fast on the other 2. Sticking to a regimen for 2 days a week can be more achievable than 7 days, so you may be more likely to persevere with this way of eating and successfully lose weight. The non-restricted days don’t mean unlimited feasting.
The truth is that no one diet is best for everyone — and what works for you may not work for someone else. The paleo diet claims that you should eat the same foods that your hunter-gatherer ancestors ate before agriculture developed. The theory is that most modern diseases can be linked to the Western diet and the consumption of grains, dairy, and processed foods. How it works: The paleo diet emphasizes whole foods, lean protein, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, while discouraging processed foods, sugar, dairy, and grains. Some more flexible versions of the paleo diet also allow for dairy like cheese and butter, as well as tubers like potatoes and sweet potatoes. Weight loss: Several studies have shown that the paleo diet can lead to significant weight loss and reduced waist size 1, 2, 3, 4. In studies, paleo dieters automatically eat much fewer carbs, more protein, and — fewer calories per day 1, 2, 3, 4. Other benefits: The diet seems effective at reducing risk factors for heart disease, such as cholesterol, blood sugar, blood triglycerides, and blood pressure 5, 6, 7. The downside: The paleo diet eliminates whole grains, legumes, and dairy, which are healthy and nutritious.