How To Get The Benefits Of Fasting Without Fasting

The benefits of eating healthy are well documented, but the reality for most of us is more complicated than just “eating well.”

So when sports stars and select scientists began telling us that not only should we eat less junk, but start skipping breakfast to improve our health, the “barriers to entry” to dieting success became more like a maximum security prison.

The upshot? The end goal looked too difficult and many people stopped trying (and listening).

And if you’re partial to the odd Messina triple-choc or bucket-load of hot chips: we feel your pain. Which is why we looked into whether it’s possible to reap the benefits of intermittent fasting… without actually fasting.

As it turns out, you (theoretically) can: in fact multiple studies have suggested you can get the benefits of fasting via a “fasting mimicking diet.”

So what does a “fasting mimicking diet” (FMD) involve? According to Medical News Today, “The FMD is low in protein, low in unhealthy fats and high in healthy fats… Stimulat(ing) markers linked to fasting, such as low glucose levels and high levels of ketone bodies, in order to mimic the effects of prolonged fasting.”

Basically; it’s a protein-lite version of the keto diet.

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Food needs no label 🚫 – Keto 🥓☕️🧀 vs. Food 🍳🥑🌱 (may be classified as Keto too) — Thanks for this great photo @livevitae! — The Keto diet has risen to fame with some very valid merits and yet there are some common misconceptions about how to properly execute it. I believe a greater understanding is the key to not only better adherence to this diet (which can be tricky to stick to) but also greater health reward. — The Genius Plan (laid out in my book Genius Foods) is a stress-free, nutrient-rich, cyclic keto approach. It incorporates carbohydrates based around activity & energy demands which will help to facilitate your performance while keeping insulin and other growth factors deliberate and pulsatile. — What you’ll notice here its all about the details. They are both keto. However, the right side is far superior in nutrients + anti-inflammatory + more fiber + satisfying and mouthwatering. — If you enjoy buttery coffee, by all means, go for it! I do occasionally. Just bear in mind the 200+ calories you get from the butter do not magically disappear post-ingestion, so if weight loss is your goal, those calories can make the difference between stasis and progress! — Love you guys! ❤️ Max . . . #ketogenic #ketosis #keto #ketodiet #ketogenicdiet #lowcarbhighfat #lchf #ketolife #atkins #ketofam #lowcarb #highfat #eatfatlosefat #lowcarbdiet #atkinsdiet #lowcarbfood #ketogeniclifestyle #lowcarblife #lavkarbo #lchftjejer #hflc #ketoadapted #lowcarblifestyle #lchfmat #lowcarbs #ketolifestyle #sugarfree #nocarbs #primal #paleo
A post shared by Max Lugavere (@maxlugavere) on Dec 10, 2018 at 12:22pm PST

FMD researchers believe the ‘fasting mimicking’ diet could, “Promote immune cell regeneration and longevity associated with fasting without the need for food restriction and the potential adverse effects that come with it,” (Medical News Today).

“Although the clinical results will require confirmation by a larger randomized trial,” they qualified, it could be worth a try: after all—in terms of risk—it’s no worse than actual fasting, the potential dangers (and benefits) of which are outlined here.