Intermittent fasting is the FIRE friendly diet
Now I’m the first to admit that I think there isn’t a diet that fits everyone, and that every body is unique so their circumstances and dietary requirements are different. However, after trying diets like paleo and keto and now intermittent fasting, I can definitely say that it could definitely be a long term thing for me, and quite possibly you. Much like my finances, I can be a little lazy when it comes to diets. Luckily I’ve always been active and ate quite healthy so I’ve never had an issue with weight, but I am always looking at improving my health, otherwise why save all this money if I’m not healthy enough to enjoy it! Intermittent fasting has been great for my body and wallet because I’ve basically cut out an entire meal (lunch) and I don’t even notice!
What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent Fasting (IF) is a type of dieting pattern that involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting. After about 12 hours of not eating, your body stops using calories from your last meal for energy, and instead starts burning fat.
The most popular form of intermittent fasting and the one I have been following is the 16:8 method, which involves fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window. During the fasting period the only things I consume are black tea and coffee (no sugar!) and water. Depending on who you ask, around the 12 hour mark is when the body starts using stored fat so a few hours per day in this state is what I aim for. I have tried longer periods, up to 20 and 24+ hours, but I found these intervals to be too long for me so I’ve pulled it back to 16 and have found this super easy to maintain.
What does my day look like?
I basically do everything the same, but have moved breakfast from 8am to midday which essentially cuts out lunch. I basically wake up, have water and black coffee and go about my day. After around lunch time, I basically eat as much as I want for the next 8 or so hours, but find I actually consume less than I would if I was eating all the time.
What are the benefits?
Obviously if you’re eating less, you’re spending less, and here in Norway food is super expensive! But, the reason I love IF, is because you don’t necessarily feel like you’re eating less. With reduced apettite and cravings for food, I no longer find myself standing zombie like in front of the fridge hoping for something to appear for me to snack on. I also have way more energy in the mornings. We’ve all been there, you wake up, have a huge breakky, and almost need to go back to bed because you’ve tried to do a Brett Lee and have 14 weetbix and are now in a carb coma.
Apart from the obvious financial benefits of buying less food, there are a number of claimed health benefits. These include but are not limited to
- improving digestion
- reduced risk in diabetes and heart disease
- your cells start to repair themselves in a state called autophagy
- less fatigue and increased focus
- reduced risky of obesity
Isn’t this all just a fancy way of starving yourself?
Yes and no, but think back to a few thousand years before the obesity epidemic the world now is seeing. The average hunter gatherer couldn’t just go to the fridge or pantry and grab a snack. They had to go out and search for it. Now I’ve seen enough episodes of “Alone” to know that is easier said than done, and it’s clear to see that humans probably went a considerable amount of time eating nothing at all between meals. Eating 24/7 is a relatively common phenomenon which our bodies are not yet adapted to. If we’ve been programmed to consume food and store it because we don’t know how far away our next meal will be, it only makes sense that our bodies will continue to store all that excess energy as fat.
Like anything in life, every one is different. This might sound like complete garbage to you and that’s ok, health is like finances, everyone has a different outlook. I like IF because I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing anything, something that most other diets make you do. Whether it to be restricting calories, or not eating certain types of foods etc. With this lifestyle I just eat good, healthy, real foods with lots of fruit and veggies and get to save money doing so. Sounds like a win in my book!
Disclaimer – Obviously I am by no way a qualified dietician so please do not take this as health advice and seek the opinion of a professional before making any decisions as your circumstances may vary.
