Ditching the Diet Mentality – Part Two

February Monthly Newsletter – Special Series

Find out the facts behind popular diets in our four-part series.

Morsel of the Month
We are back with Part Two of our deep dive into fad diets. By now, you have probably heard of intermittent fasting, but do you know what it is or who should (or should not) try it? Intermittent fasting is an umbrella term for several different methods of fasting. The most popular method is time-restricted eating, but other types include alternate day fasting and modified fasting. The idea behind intermittent fasting is that by restricting the hours (or days) you are permitted to eat, in turn, you will end up eating less, which could lead to weight loss. However, the long-term effectiveness of intermittent fasting for weight loss is unknown, as most studies have been done on small groups of people or animals. 

Our Opinion: Although we do recommend limiting late night eating, stopping at least 2-3 hours before bedtime, intermittent fasting may be overly restrictive for most people. The additional restrictions may ultimately cause individuals to override their natural signals of hunger and satiety. Overtime, these eating restrictions will likely backfire and unhealthy weight cycling will start again. At Athens Nutrition, we focus on your internal cues, such as hunger and fullness after eating, to help you to become a more intuitive eater.

For more details on types of intermittent fasting, as well as possible benefits and risks, check out our blog post.

Look for part three in our series next month when we discuss plant-based diets.

Nutrition Handout Highlight
Intermittent fasting teaches people to eat according to external cues such as day of the week or time of day. An alternative approach would be trusting your body’s internal cues of hunger and fullness. For guidance, check out our Hunger Scale handout on our website.

Athens Announcements
Athens Nutrition now offers weight loss coaching and telehealth appointments to take your nutrition goals to the next level. Contact us for more information or to make a one-on-one appointment with a Registered Dietitian at one of our three convenient locations.
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