What is the advantage of using a strategy based on intermittent fasting versus simple dietary changes alone - such as the low-carb high-fat diets that we prefer? There are seven good ones.
#1 - Simplicity
When I started out my clinic, I tried to persuade people to adopt the LCHF diet. I was doing this for people of all ages, of all nationalities. It is difficult enough for a well educated English speaking, computer literate person to adopt a strict LCHF diet. This is hard given all the conflicting advice flying around the internet and the airwaves.
We would tell people to go Low Carb and find food diaries full of whole wheat bread and plates of pasta. Many people honestly did not understand the diet at all. I spent lots of time and grey hair trying to change their diets, but many people simply did not understand. Furthermore, their diets had not significantly changed in 40 years, and they were having a lot of trouble changing it.
![The 7 Benefits of Fasting The 7 Benefits of Fasting](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/134/1346450/the-7-benefits-of-fasting-L-i3aVc9.jpeg)
Fasting itself, is so simple that it can be explained in two sentences. Eat nothing including sugars or sweeteners. Drink water, tea, coffee or bone broth. That's it. Even with this simple method, we (Megan, not actually me anymore) spend hours explaining 'how to' fast.
The most obvious benefit to simplicity, though is demonstrated by the startlingly simple graph above. The simpler, the more effective. Amen.
#2 - Cheap
While I may prefer patients to eat organic, local grass fed beef and avoid the white bread and processed foods, the truth is that these foods are often 10 times the cost. Some people, simply put, cannot afford to eat that well.
This is due to the distorting effect of government subsidies on cost of food. Since grains enjoy substantial government subsidies, it is far cheaper to make something out of flour than whole foods. This means that fresh cherries cost $6.99/ pound and an entire loaf of bread will cost $1.99. Feeding a family on a budget is a lot easier when you buy pasta and white bread.
![The 7 Benefits of Fasting The 7 Benefits of Fasting](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/134/1346450/the-7-benefits-of-fasting-L-xUsyPa.jpeg)
#3 - Convenience
While I may advise people to always eat a home cooked, prepared-from-scratch meal, there are many people who simply do not have the time or inclination to do so. The number of meals eaten away from home has been increasing over the past few decades. While there are many who try to support the 'slow food' movement, it is clear that they are fighting a losing battle.
![The 7 Benefits of Fasting The 7 Benefits of Fasting](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/134/1346450/the-7-benefits-of-fasting-L-_Fw8yP.jpeg)
So asking people to devote themselves to home cooking, as noble as it may be, is not going to be a winning strategy. Fasting, on the other hand is the opposite. You save time because there is no time spent buying food, preparing, cooking and cleaning up. It is a way to simplify your life. I often skip breakfast in the mornings. Man, the time saved! I often skip lunch, too. Man, the time saved! If time is money....
![The 7 Benefits of Fasting The 7 Benefits of Fasting](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/134/1346450/the-7-benefits-of-fasting-L-7pRshv.jpeg)
#4 - Cheat days
While I might advise people to never, ever again eat ice cream, I don't think that is actually very practical advice. Sure, you might be able to swear off of it for 6 months, or 1 year, but for life? And would you really want to? Think about it. Think about the joy that some people get from savouring an especially delicious dessert at a wedding feast. Do we need to deny ourselves that little bit of pleasure forever? Let us all enjoy our birthday salad feast! Thanksgiving kale festival! All you can eat brussel sprouts! Yes, life just got a little less sparkly. Forever is a long time.
Now, I am not saying that you can eat dessert every single day, but fasting gives you the ability to occasionally enjoy that dessert because if you feast, you can balance the scale by fasting. It is, after all, the cycle of life. The reason these 'cheat' days are important is because it builds compliance. Simply put, it makes the diet easier to follow and changes it into a lifestyle instead. We often counsel that the most important aspect of fasting is to fit it into your life.
[Note that cheat days are NOT recommended if addicted to sugar or other foods. Just like cheat days are not recommended for alcoholics - AE]#5 - Power
![The 7 Benefits of Fasting The 7 Benefits of Fasting](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/134/1346450/the-7-benefits-of-fasting-L-j4MTly.jpeg)
In the end, you must ask yourself this question. If you do not eat anything for 1 week, do you think you will lose weight? Even a child understands that you must lose weight. It is almost inevitable. So its efficacy is unquestioned.
There are only two remaining questions. First - is it unhealthy? On the contrary, there are extraordinary health benefits. Two - can you do it? Well, if you never try it, you will never know. I think almost everybody can do it.
#6 - Flexibility
![The 7 Benefits of Fasting The 7 Benefits of Fasting](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/134/1346450/the-7-benefits-of-fasting-L-KQI2I3.jpeg)
Furthermore, why would we assume that somebody cannot fast for 1 week or 1 month without ever having tried it?
#7 - Add to any diet
![The 7 Benefits of Fasting The 7 Benefits of Fasting](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/134/1346450/the-7-benefits-of-fasting-L-vJXbg8.jpeg)
You don't eat meat? You can still fast.
You don't eat wheat? You can still fast.
You have a nut allergy? You can still fast.
You don't have time? You can still fast.
You don't have money? You can still fast.
You are travelling all the time? You can still fast.
You don't cook? You can still fast.
You are 80 years old? You can still fast.
You have problems with chewing or swallowing? You can still fast.
What could possibly be simpler?
Do you you want to learn more about fasting from Dr. Jason Fung? Check out our new video course. The first part is freely available for anyone.
So far there are 16 parts to Dr Fung's fasting series on his blog: