Broth Soup Is a Good Choice After a Long Fast

Seems like every day there is a new approach to dropping unwanted pounds. A popular new "buzzword" is intermittent fasting, which is really an eating pattern that requires a dieter to cycle between periods of food intake and fasting. Weight loss and weight management are two common reasons people try intermittent fasting, but make no mistake about it, you still need to make nutritious choices when you eat. Although calorie counting is not necessary when fasting or restricting food consumption, the weight that you lose is mostly due to your overall reduction in calorie intake.

• 16/8 Fasting - If you choose the 16:8 method of fasting, experts recommend picking an eating window that allows you to finish your daily meals early, because your body is less efficient at managing blood sugar later in the day.
• Alternate Day Fasts - Short-term fasting can facilitate weight loss by increasing your metabolic rate with the release of a fat-burning hormone. When you limit the window for eating, you are creating a fasting period in which the body will have to use its own stored glycogen from carbohydrates and fat as fuel.
• 24-Hour Day Fasting - The 5:2 Diet strongly discourages drinking alcohol on fasting days and suggests that you drink in moderation on your off days. Once you have reached your goal weight, it is recommended that you fast one day of the week instead of twice.
• Meal Skipping - Following a menu plan with an established timeline for fasting and feeding (i.e. - Eating between 12 noon and 6 pm with food restricted for the remainder of the day) is one of the simplest methods for fasting.

A balanced menu plan and simple modifications to your eating behavior are key to effective weight loss and maintenance. For shorter fasting periods, you can break a fast by consuming a regular-sized meal, so avoid overeating and select healthy foods. You may want to ease back into eating with a broth soup after longer fasting periods. In addition to eating lots of lean proteins, fresh produce, and healthy fats, you need to consume plenty of water. It is easy to understand why some people would rather watch what they eat a couple days a week instead of counting calories every day while following a traditional diet.

*NOTE: Due to a difference in hormonal makeup, women have special considerations when fasting. Intermittent fasting is not a good idea for women under 18 years of age, those with a lean body profile, or those with medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or a history of eating disorders. Ask your physician about an appropriate fasting protocol for you.