Intermittent Fasting, The Shortcut to Glowing Skin and Age Prevention

Intermittent Fasting, The Shortcut to Glowing Skin and Age Prevention

Intermittent fasting isn’t an uncommon term as you must have come across it one way or the other. Many consider it for weight loss, but the benefits extend beyond shedding a few pounds. The research is clear on the tremendous benefits of fasting, including extending life span, increasing cognitive ability and dramatically improving you skin. This is all done by way of autophagy.

Whether you’re considering trying it out or already doing it, this article is for you. In this article, I’ll discuss some things that must be in place for intermittent fasting to work for you. 

However, before I get into that, I’ll like to explain what intermittent fasting is properly. 

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting, of course, is a weight loss method but it is much more than that. Intermittent fasting is a diet plan that alternates between periods of fasting and regular meals. That is, it is an eating pattern that involves abstaining from all foods for a lengthy period of time. This time frame typically lasts between 12 and 40 hours.

Although intermittent fasting is typically used for weight loss, it also helps to prevent and manage chronic diseases like diabetes and any form of heart disease.

The Do’s of Intermittent Fasting

If you think intermittent fasting is a good idea and you want to try it out, I've pointed out some things that you must do to ensure that it gives the desired results. Also, if you already fast intermittently, these do’s will also help a lot.

• Start Slow

If you’re trying intermittent fasting for the first time, it is very important that you don’t start by letting your fasting period last for long hours. You can try fasting for 12 hours first, then go for longer periods as you progress. If you try going for too long, you might end up binge-eating during your eating hours. 

Binge-eating is a big don’t of intermittent fasting that I’ll explain in the latter part of this article so you might want to keep reading. 

• Hydrate in the mornings

Fasting intermittently doesn’t mean that you’ll also skip water during your fasting periods. In fact, hydration is so important during intermittent fasting that it must never be skipped or ignored.

Staying hydrated will not only suppress hunger and keep you energized, but will also help to flush out toxins and improve the skin. I recommend trying water with slices of fruit and drinking organic teas and beverages. Lastly, avoid soda drinks as these do more harm than good and lead to more dehydration.

As important as water is for our health, studies shave shown that tap water is not at all safe for consumption. This is why investing in a high quality water filter is key in order to keep harmful toxins away. For further information on this topic, please check out 'Our Water is Toxic' blog here.

Tea is a great way to spice up your daily water intake. Drinking water doesn't have to be a chore and Blume's Rose Fog Organic tea not only tastes amazing, with bergamot and vanilla flavors, but also offers incredible benefits. Micro-ground rose petals, rose-hips and tart cherry make this blend rich in vitamins and skin boosting goodness. In addition to this, sipping on Blume will also aid in easing symptoms of PMS and bloating !

• Make the best of your two meals

Fuel your body with the right kinds of meals that will not only energize you but also provide all the nutrients that you need. 

Balanced fibers like quinoa, nuts, oatmeal, chia seeds, and fruits, are good options to try because they keep you satisfied for a long period of time. High-quality proteins like fish, meat, and eggs provide your body with the necessary nutrients that it needs. Lastly, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and arugula are rich in many vitamins and minerals. 

You can make fasting even more enjoyable by adding protein into your diet with ANIMA MUNDI Chocolate Protein Superfood Powder. Not only is it incredibly delicious but it is also packed with nutritious value!

Made from a blend of fabulous superfoods and adaptogens such as Maca, Cacao, Cordyceps. This 100% vegan protein powder is bound to keep you energized consistently throughout the day while offering a host of health benefits! Some of these benefits include promoting gut health, helping to regulate blood sugar levels and helping with treating adrenal fatigue.

Now I know that many people are not exactly vegetable lovers, but this should not be an excuse to not consume the important nutrients that greens offer us. Luckily there are amazing supplements that contain these very nutrients without having to consume them by way of your typical salad. Our favorite herbal supplement here at The Beauty Doctrine is ANIMA MUNDI Liver Vitality Organic Green Detox.

This therapeutic green cleanse formula contains a full spectrum of naturally occurring, absorb-able and non-toxic vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, chlorophyll, soluble and insoluble fibers, tens of thousands of phyto-nutrients, all the essential amino acids, and a plethora of other synergistically bound, organic nutrients.

ANIMA MUNDI's Adaptogenic Immortality has Lion's Mane and a bunch of other amazing mushrooms to increase longevity and boost immunity. This is easily incorporated if blended into your coffee, smoothie or even added to soups.

• Limit snacks

Most snacks that we crave do not contain the right nutrients and can as well reverse the effects of intermittent fasting. I know it might be hard to do away with snacks completely but at least, you shouldn’t eat them often.

You can try using your favorite snacks to reward yourself after a week of fasting intermittently. This will motivate you even more. 

The Don’ts of Intermittent Fasting

Just the same way there are important things you must do while fasting, there are also things that you must try your best to abstain completely from.

• Binge during your eating window

After concluding your fast, your first instinct will probably be to eat as much as possible. You shouldn’t succumb to that instinct. This is because you’re defeating the whole purpose of your fast. 

If in need of a pick me up, a nutrient-dense latte made with a plant milk and either Moringa leaf powder or Matcha would not only satisfy your cravings, but give you a boost of protein & cell-energizing nutrients, without spiking insulin levels.

ANIMA MUNDI's Organic Moringa Essential Green Master Mineralizer is our herbal supplement of choice, made entirely vegan and cruelty free.

Intermittent fasting is meant to encourage healthy eating habits. Therefore, you should eat as healthy as you would if you were not fasting.

• Restrict calories during your eating window

I understand that you want to fast the right way and you want to eat very healthily. However, this doesn’t mean you should restrict your calories during your eating window. Your body needs enough calories to sustain you and if it doesn’t get enough, you might start feeling really hungry at night.

Remember, everything should be done in moderation. Don’t consume excess calories but focus on consuming what will be JUST enough. 

• Starve yourself

Fasting isn’t about starvation instead, it is about giving your body enough time to go through autophagy - a process that restores the normal cellular function of the body. People’s bodies are different and your limit might be different from someone else’s limit. Listen to your body and don’t push yourself too hard.

I have an article that discusses autophagy extensively on my website. You can read more about it here. 

• Constantly watch the clock

You don’t want to make your fasting journey a toxic one. The goal is to enjoy the process and watching the clock constantly might deprive you of that.

Get busy, engage in your hobbies, read books, restrategize on certain goals you have, and just be productive. I can assure you that if you use our fasting periods to be productive, you’ll enjoy the process more.

Conclusion

Intermittent fasting can be really enjoyable and can bring the desired results if done the right way. The guidelines I gave in this article will go a long way in helping you lose your desired weight. 

It should be noted that not everyone is advised to try intermittent fasting. This is might either be because of an underlying medical condition or because it might not be sustainable. So always check with your doctor prior into venturing into restricted eating and new supplements.

Be well. Be safe. Be beautiful.

Disclaimer:

As a blogger, my content may include affiliate links from advertisers. I may earn a small commission from actions readers take on these links such as a purchase, or subscribe. All my recommendations are based on my own research and personal trust in the products that I share. I am not a doctor or nutritionist. Please consult with your practitioner prior to using any products recommended.