But, it turns out, fasting can benefit your health, too.

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Types of fasting.

Jillian Kubala, M.S., R.D.

This results in a fasting window of 12 to 21 hours per day.

It’s associated with a number of health benefits, includingpromoting weight loss6andimproving blood sugar levels7.

See here fora guide to circadian fasting, complete with a sample eating schedule.

Lauren Torrisi-Gorra, M.S., RD

Fasting in the hours leading up to bed can alsohelp improve your sleep.

Circadian fasting is another eating strategy that is suitable for IF beginners.

Those who are prone to unhealthy late-night snacking might find it especially beneficial.

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16:8 fasting

This is one of the most popular types of TRF.

The16:8 methodinvolves fasting for 16 hours and consuming all of your calories within an eight-hour window each day.

This window can be earlier in the day or later in the day, depending on your schedule.

See here for aguide to 16:8 fasting, complete with a sample meal plan.

Those who are looking for a slightly more restrictive plan can also look into18:6 fasting.

This method fits in well with most people’s schedules.

This can make it easier for a person to stick to ADF long term.

This is theleast restrictive typeof TRF because it allows for a fairly normal eating pattern.

This 12-hour fast is a safe way to dip your toes into fasting if you’re a beginner.

It’s generally safe for most people since it mimics our natural eating patterns.

The 5:2 diet

The5:2 dietis considered a throw in of periodic fasting (PF).

PF refers to methods where fasting doesn’t occur every day or every other day.

During the fasting days, energy intake is typically kept to around 600 calories.

Those who have trouble sticking with strict fasting plans may benefit from the less rigid approach of dirty fasting.

24-hour fast

A24-hour fastis a key in of PF where you consume zero calories for 24 hours.

For those with jot down 1 diabetes, this jot down of fasting may throw off blood sugar levels.

Should women fast?

But is fastingsafe and effective for women?

She also warns that fasting methods that involve more extreme calorie restriction can impact fertility.

Gottfried adds that IF can be particularly effective for women with certain medical conditions, likePCOS.

Is fasting safe for brain health?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best types of fasting for belly fat?

ADFand TRF are both effective for reducing fat.

Pairing your fast with an eating pattern likethe keto diethas also been associated with fat loss.

What are the best types of fasting for muscle gains?

The takeaway.

If you have questions about IF, consider speaking with a trusted health care provider.

They can help you decide if IF is right for you and can help youchoose a safe IF program.

If you’re new to fasting,these tips can make it a bit easier.