Intermittent Fasting—What Is It?

Have you ever intentionally gone without eating for a meal or two—perhaps for religious reasons or because you had no appetite due to an illness? If so, then you’re familiar with the concept of fasting. Intermittent Fasting is simply the absence of food for a prescribed period of time. I practice it myself, eating each day when I feel hungry. So the time of day when I break my fast from the night before might occur at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, or I might go all day without eating and enjoy a nice plant-based meal in the evening. I never eat immediately after waking up.

Below is a TedTalk video from Cynthia Thurlow, a Western medicine trained nurse practitioner and functional nutritionist who is passionate about female hormonal health. She believes that the inherent power of food and nutrition can be your greatest asset to your health and wellness journey. She works one-on-one with female clients and is the creator of Wholistic Blueprint—a 6-week signature program for female hormonal health. She’s also the co-host of Everyday Wellness podcast and a recurring segment contributor on her local ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C.

Cynthia says that two-thirds of women 40-59 years old are overweight and more than half are obese. Intermittent fasting can help women lose weight effectively. It can also have a profound impact on bio-physical profiles, as well as improve self esteem and interpersonal relationships. It is easy to implement, inexpensive and flexible.

What I’ve learned over the past 18 months since going Whole Food Plant-Based is that eating less frequently throughout the day and eating only plant-based foods that my body can use as fuel has helped me lose 25 pounds (and keep it off), has eliminated various chronic aches and pains I was having in my lower back, hands and knees, and makes me feel better physically and mentally. And each day I’m learning new things that make me even better. It’s been easier for me than I thought it would. Before becoming a plant proponent I was a cheese-aholic, but since going WFPB I really haven’t missed cheese at all. I’ve found plant-based alternatives that are just as good. So intermittent fasting is yet another arrow in my Whole Food Plant-Based quiver to help me stay healthy.