Intermittent fasting during the holidays: dangerous or really effective?
At the height of the festive season, it's hard not to eat more than usual. Tradition demands that families gather around a well-stocked table. The problem, however, is that in early January, once all is said and done, you find yourself staring at the scales, distressed to see how much weight you've put on. A study by doctors at the University of Houston in the USA found that between November 15 and January 1, people put on an average of 17 oz/500 gr more than during the rest of the year. It may seem trivial, but weight gain during the festive season is a real anxiety factor for many people, who find themselves obliged to resort to learned techniques. Fasting is one of the most popular of these techniques, with rapid results. But beware: none of them should be started without prior medical advice.
What is complete fasting?
There are many variations on fasting, one of the most popular in recent years being water fasting. This partial fast is characterized by an exclusively liquid diet for several days (soups, broths, etc.). The main advantage of this type of fasting is that it considerably reduces daily calorie intake. In fact, with only 400 kcal per day, compared with 1500 to 2000 kcal on average. Generally speaking, fasting is often perceived as radical, whereas only "complete fasting" is. The latter consists of ingesting nothing but water for 24 hours. This is often the solution chosen for the festive season.
What's the difference with intermittent fasting?
The intermittent fasting method originated on the American continent is based on the 16/8 rule: eat nothing for 16 hours of the day and regain your strength during the other 8. Keeping your meals balanced. The most practical way to do this is to count your hours of sleep as hours of fasting. Eating nothing from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. the next day is the most effective approach.
Intermittent fasting has many advantages. Unlike complete fasting or a strict diet, it doesn't lead to frustration or deficiencies, because it doesn't drastically alter your diet. What's more, its health benefits go far beyond simply losing the weight accumulated over the holidays. This type of fasting allows you to tap into your body's fat reserves while stimulating your metabolism and energy levels.
Fasting the right way
Intermittent fasting can be useful, as long as it's not just a passing fad. It needs to be practised on a regular basis to reap its full benefits. Trying it just before Christmas, then stopping immediately, won't bring any real benefits. On the other hand, if you manage to include this diet on a regular basis, even just a few days a week, it will help you regenerate throughout the year and automatically reduce overeating during the festive season. On the contrary, don't deprive yourself during this period. By controlling your fasting, you'll be able to enjoy the festivities even more, with a stronger appetite. In concrete terms, after Christmas Eve, adopt intermittent fasting until the New Year, notably by skipping dinner. And above all, don't lose sight of the pleasure of the festive season!
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