Intermittent fasting is a weight loss method that aims to interweave fasting periods with feeding periods. The goal is to make the body use the fat stores and thereby lose fat mass.
Normally, between 10 and 24 hours of fasting are indicated, which can be done daily or only on certain days of the week.
The periods when feeding is allowed, the person should drink fluids that have no calories, such as water (with or without gas) and teas and coffee without sugar.
Fasting was very common in the Paleolithic age, when humans did not have access to food all the time.
The method, however, is not suitable for everyone and can cause problems when done without proper guidance for easy intermittent fasting.
How Intermittent Fasting Works
There are several protocols of intermittent fasting that require more or less fasting hours. Before meeting them, however, it is important to emphasize that the choice of the best way to follow an intermittent fast should be discussed with a specialist (be it an endocrinologist, nutritionist or nutritionist), who will perform specific exams and will be able to tell you the best protocol for your Cheers.
12-hour fast
This is the most common type, where you go half a day without eating (including the recommended eight hours of sleep).
Leangains System
Here, the person fast for 16 hours, being able to have between two and three meals in the remaining eight hours.
Eat Protocol – Stop – Eat
In this system, the person chooses one or two days of the week when he will be completely fasting.
How to do intermittent fasting
In any case, every method of intermittent fasting involves:
- Power windows, which can be a day or hours during the day
- Intake of fluids without calories during fasting, such as water and coffee and unsweetened teas
- Avoid items that contain calories, including some supplements, such as whey protein.

Jorge is a health blog author who has been writing about nutrition, fitness and healthy living for over 10 years. He also loves to run, hike and bike with her wife.