If you do intermittent fasting, read on: these are the foods that don't break it

Intermittent fasting. That unknown thing that celebrities do to stay in shape and in their weight. That way of eating that very few people understand and that all the grandmothers of the world, lovers of good cuisine, would make them cry. That eating plan that has made Tania Llasera lose 10 kg (during confinement !!) and that has caused so much criticism. Definitely, intermittent fasting it is one of the trends of the year. And although it has been with us for some time, it has been in recent months when it has experienced the definitive 'boom', such as the sales (or the coronavirus).

What does fasting consist of? Broadly speaking, it is more than a diet of a lifestyle in which one fasts during a certain time slot, leaving a window that is around 12-8 hours for food intake. Speaking in silver: it is about not having dinner or not having breakfast, depending on your lifestyle and your preferences, although it depends on the type of fast you do, your fan will be bigger or smaller and with it, the food intake schedule .

There are several types of fasting, Elsa Pataky, for example, carries out the 12-12: twelve hours without eating any solid food and 12 hours of fasting. However, the most widespread is the 16-8, in which you fast for 16 hours and eat for 8, forcing you to skip one meal at the beginning of the day and another at the end.

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Which has benefits?

According to Cristina Romagosa, health advisor and nutrition expert at mediQuo, “intermittent fasting appears today as a strategy to fight obesity and can have beneficial effects, such as improving the feeling of satiety, reducing the insulin response and systemic inflammation ”. We must also bear in mind that, almost without realizing it, we carry out the so-called "night fast" every day, which we break with breakfast, so that unconsciously, we can fast between 10 and 12 hours naturally. Many experts claim that a balanced diet consists of eating 5-6 meals a day, however, not everyone agrees, since fasting has benefits beyond weight loss.

Dr. Jason Fung and Jimmy Moore they explain it in 'The Complete Guide to Fasting, (Plus Vitae', (You can get it on Amazon) "Fasting is not starvation. When done right, it is an incredibly effective therapeutic tool with extraordinary results in losing weight and fighting type 2 diabetes. It can even help slow aging, prevent cancer and improve cardiovascular health. " What's more, the nutritionist Carlos Ríos It is also recommended to lose weight and improve hunger control, yes, always with the follow-up of a dietitian-nutritionist.

Among the benefits of intermittent fasting are also increased energy, the benefits of fasting sports, a better knowledge of the foods eaten, when we are hungry or only eat out of boredom, and better management of anxiety.

But … What can you eat during the fasting hours? The answer is nothing. Solid foods are prohibited since we would break the post-absorptive metabolic state of the first six fasting (if they are more, the body begins to use the energy that we have stored in the liver), however, hydration is key for a intermittent good fast. And we are not just talking about water.

There are several drinks that you can consume without problems and that do not break the fast. According to him Dr. Jason Fung In his book, the main ones are:

-Water

-Infusions (matte is included)

-Water with lemon (a few drops)

-Coffee alone (or with a little whole milk, not skimmed)

-Bone broth and vegetable broth

These drinks that cannot contain preservatives, additives or sweeteners of any kind are allowed. Dr. Isabel Belaustegui also adds that "coffee is an enhancer of metabolism", so it amplifies the effects of fasting.

All teas are allowed: green tea, chamomile … even draining infusions if you want to boost fluid loss. These options are ideal if you "skip" breakfast, however, if what you do without is dinner, broths are a very good option to calm anxiety or the desire to eat food before going to bed. Combine the broths with relaxing infusions: valerian, passionflower … so you can go to bed satiated, calm and above all light. The heaviness of the stomach is over.

What do you tell us Does fasting convince you?