Why doesn’t the time between dinner and breakfast count?
I would presume it’s because the body changes during sleep, metabolism slows, brain changes. My cardiologist said that cholesterol is produced at night while we sleep and recommends cholesterol drugs be taken after dinner.
I was never obese, but had some weight I didn’t like mostly gained when I quit smoking 15 years ago. I did the atkins/keto thing and it worked really well. Not easy to stick to. Fortunately for me I am not a sorrow eater so I didn’t turn into a chipmunk during the covid lockdowns. Watched way too much TV but didn’t eat much. This summer I quit the diet because I wanted summer fruits. As fall is here again, I’ll go back to the El Pollo Loco diet. Lots of protein, some greens, and minimal carbs. Many who do Keto also advocate intermittent fasting but they tend to mean “skip lunch” and some also suggest eating a salad maybe an hour before dinner in addition to a high protein (or high fat) diet. Atkins stresses more protein, Keto stresses more fat but otherwise they are basically the same. My personal preference is more protein - so leaner meats.
The single thing I don’t do enough of is exercise.
Sleep time does count in fasting. And most fasting gurus tell you to skip either breakfast or dinner to maximize the sleeping fast hours. Lunch is often the main or only meal for most fasters.
The best thing about fasting is that it’s FREE! No fancy foods to buy, no memberships to pay, nada. Just skip a meal.
The 2nd best thing is how flexible it is. You can tailor it completely to your family and work schedules.
The time between dinner and breakfast does count!
I did 15 hour fasting for a few months and it did bring my A1C down to normal range. Also lost fat around mid-section.
Now I eat 3 meals and 1 snack, eat a balanced diet, and have no health issues. My secret is daily walks on treadmill for 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of working the weight machine with lighter weight settings, in the gym. I feel simply amazing at age 81. Don’t need any prescriptions, don’t need doctor visits, no joint pains, and enough energy to mow my suburban lawn in Florida summers without needing breaks.
OK, on mowing day I skip the gym.
Intermittent fasting is never “skip lunch”. You can skip breakfast or late breakfast and early dinner. Just so its in at least an eight hour window. The true believers get the window down to four hours or less. High protein is only good for people who do a lot of exercise.
And never take cholesterol drugs. They are just there to help you be fat and diabetic while not dying of a heart attack. You will hate life. Just cut the carbs. You will be in good health and also live a long time. Fewer aches, better joints, healthier liver, and better life.