Intermittent fasting has gained a great deal of popularity recently, as many have discovered that it’s a great way to improve their health and boost their energy.
So what exactly is this new eating plan and you might be wondering, “Can I eat anything during intermittent fasting”?
Technically yes, you can, as this is more about when you eat than what you eat.
The most popular way to fast would be the 16/8 fast, where you eat for 8 hours and fast for 16.
During the 16 hours of fasting, you cannot eat anything with calories, which really cancels out all food.
During the 8-hour eating window, you can eat anything but should limit your intake to healthy and nutritious food.
Sidenote: There is an exception whereby you could consume anything up to 50 calories before your body technically breaks its fasting state. So for those non-purists, you could consume some calories in, say a breakfast coffer, with milk or cream.
Eating when intermittent fasting can feel pretty daunting at first, but the reality is that things don’t need to be complicated.
It’s all about having the right snacks and meals available to you throughout the day.
Try having foods like eggs, nuts, Greek yogurt, and avocado on hand.
They are all great sources of healthy fats and proteins which will help you feel full and energized.
Regarding fruits, apples, oranges, and berries are great options as they are relatively low in sugar and fiber.
Pick easy-to-grab snacks like boiled eggs or energy bars for when you realize it’s been more hours than you intended since your last meal.
Can I Eat Anything During A 16 Hour Fast?
No, during the 16-hour fasting period in the 16/8 diet, you cannot eat anything containing calories.
You have to limit your meals to your 8-hour eating window.
However, you can drink some beverages like unsweetened tea and coffee, water, and zero-calorie electrolyte drinks.
Intermittent fasting is an increasingly popular eating pattern that has been found to have numerous health benefits.
It involves alternating between periods of fasting and eating within a given timeframe, with various protocols designed to fit different lifestyle needs.
Studies have found that intermittent fasting helps improve insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and even decrease risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.
Furthermore, it can lead to healthy weight loss and improved mental clarity, making it an overall beneficial dietary practice for many.
Before beginning any nutritional regimen, though, consult your doctor or another healthcare professional to ensure that you get the proper nutrients your body needs.
What Are You Not Allowed To Eat During Intermittent Fasting?
During a standard period of intermittent fasting, you are not allowed to consume solid food or beverages with calories ranging from 12 to 24 hours.
This means that common foods such as snacks, sweets, soft drinks, other sugary drinks, fast food meals, and starchy carbohydrates are all off-limits while on intermittent fasting.
It should be noted, however, that still water, coffee, and tea are allowed, but it is best to avoid adding sugar or cream to them.
Intermittent fasting can be a powerful tool when used correctly, so it is important to understand the rules of this dieting strategy to maximize its effectiveness.
When you break your fast, foods high in complex carbohydrates and proteins can help revitalize the body and restore energy levels.
Carbs like quinoa and brown rice provide sustained energy for hours afterward, while proteins such as lean meats and plant-based sources such as lentils, beans, nuts, and seeds can supply your body with vital nourishment to replenish lost nutrients.
Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables add essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support the body’s health.
Eating a small snack or a light meal of these nutrient-rich foods after a fasting period can help maximize restoration benefits while also keeping energy up throughout the day.
Does What You Eat Matter On Intermittent Fasting?
While most experts agree that the effects of intermittent fasting on weight loss and cognitive benefits are largely independent of what you eat, eating certain foods may enhance these effects.
Eating whole food-based items such as fruits, vegetables, fish, and lean protein sources would likely yield more substantial health benefits than an unhealthy diet consisting of processed food products.
Becoming more aware of the types of food you eat during fasting, and regular meals could increase the potential benefits that intermittent fasting brings to your health journey.
Intermittent fasting is a process of abstaining from food and drink for a set period.
For example, this can be done by having only one meal a day in the evening or reducing the number of meals consumed in a given day.
Studies have shown that intermittent fasting can offer significant health benefits, and it has been used for thousands of years in different cultures.
Intermittent fasting helps to reduce inflammation, lower levels of insulin resistance, promote weight loss, boost the immune system, and possibly even increase lifespan.
Intermittent fasting should always be conducted under medical supervision, as it may not always be suitable depending on individual health circumstances.
Can I Eat Pizza While Intermittent Fasting?
During your eating window, you can eat whatever you want. Technically.
That doesn’t mean you SHOULD eat anything you feel like.
However, if you are intermittent fasting for weight loss, pizza is going to ramp up your calorie intake significantly.
A slice of pizza typically contains about 400 calories, coming in at a whopping 2,000 calories for a whole 16” pizza with cheese!
Eating pizza is an enjoyable treat, but it often comes with a hefty caloric cost.
That’s because, in addition to the dough, which provides carbohydrates, pizza includes several high-calorie components such as cheese, unhealthy oil, and unhealthy fats, plus meats like sausage and pepperoni.
These key ingredients combine to form a delicious meal BUT can easily exceed 400 calories per slice.
Fortunately, individuals looking to reduce their caloric consumption don’t have to forgo their favorite comfort food altogether.
There are versions of pizza that can provide all the flavor without as many calories.
Choosing thin crusts instead of thick ones and opting for toppings like vegetables rather than meat can help make pizza a more health-conscious choice.
Can I Eat What I Want On The 16 8 Diet?
The 16/8 diet is when you fast for 16 hours and eat for 8.
During the 8 hours, you can eat whatever you want but should stick to healthy, nutritious food that will give you energy throughout your fasting period.
During your 16-hour fasting period, you cannot have any food or beverage with calories.
Following a 16/8 diet can be an effective way to stay healthy and reach your fitness goals.
When it comes to what you should eat on this diet, focus on foods that are high in nutrients and provide plenty of energy throughout the day.
Try incorporating more fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates like whole grains and legumes, as well as healthy fats and unsaturated oils into your daily meals.
Eating plenty of water-rich foods such as cucumber or celery will also help ensure you are receiving enough hydration while in a fasted state.
Overall, it is important to find the right balance of nutrient-dense foods so that you have enough energy throughout the day without feeling overly full while in a fasted state.
Can You Have A Cheat Meal On Intermittent Fasting?
If you have been intermittent fasting for some time, having a cheat meal once or twice isn’t likely to interfere with your weight loss efforts.
It can benefit your mental health and give you more motivation to stick to the diet for extended periods.
A cheat meal can be used as an excellent opportunity to tie up loose ends with dieting, allowing dieters to alleviate cravings while avoiding the discouragement of total diet abandonment.
Furthermore, research has suggested that cheat meals could help increase motivation and adherence to an intermittent fasting diet plan in the longer term by enabling people still to enjoy food at the end of their fasts while still achieving their goals.
Therefore, depending on your goals, planned cheat meals may deserve a place in any intermittent fasting plan.
What Is The Best Food To Eat During Intermittent Fasting?
During intermittent fasting, it is important to eat the right food that is rich in nutrients and low in calories.
Nuts are a good snack as they provide essential fats and proteins without having too many calories.
Other items, such as fruits and vegetables, can be added to meals during intermittent fasting as well as these contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Lean proteins can also be an excellent addition when intermittent fasting.
Whether it is chicken or salmon, these options give energy-dense protein sources with low amounts of fat and carbohydrates.
Protein helps your body stay strong, rebuild muscle, and fuel your energy levels.
If you don’t eat enough protein while fasting, you can start to feel rundown and sluggish.
When combined with other foods such as carbohydrates or healthy fats, protein can provide balanced nutrition while promoting the beneficial health effects of fasting.
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.