Intermittent Fasting 16:8

[gemini76]

Hi,

I have loosely been following intermittent fasting 16:8. I eating only between the hours of 11am -7pm or 12pm -8pm. The trouble is that I am fine during the day but when it comes to evening I have terrible cravings for sweet stuff - biscuits, cakes etc. and end up eating biscuits. Has anyone had success with intermittent fasting? Or has anyone any helpful suggestions on how I can overcome my sugar cravings?

Thanks,

Nicky

[RG07 Maintainer]

I have never tried fasting diets so I cannot really help- but are you getting enough calories in the time that you can eat? I use calorie counting (NHS 12 week weight loss plan) and have found that good though still occasionally give into my cravings- which for me were crisps! Some members drink peppermint or herbal tea if start to get cravings since the after taste doesn't go well with sweets, or clean their teeth. Could try distraction- go out for a walk, do something which occupies both hands so not available to grab the biscuits. I have managed to control (on the whole) my cravings for crisps, but I don't buy them so they are not in the house when I get the munchies. If crisps were in the house I may be able to resist for a few days but then I will give in- if they aren't there I usually cannot be bothered to go out to the local shop to get some so distract myself instead. It does get better

[jannah in reply to RG07]

There actually have NHS 12 weeks diet plan which I've not seeing. Can you please let me know where it is.

[RG07 Maintainer in reply to jannah]

If you put in 12 week weight loss nhs plan in search engine it should come. It’s on nhs choices website

[MirandaT]

Try sustutuing fruit for the biscuits? Keep a varierty of fruit that you like in the house and when you get thise cravings spend some time slicing and chopping the fruit, arranging it attractively on a plate, then slowly eating it. The preparation time makes you think about what you're eating and it's a real contrast to the quick fix biscuits! A lot of this losing weight/fitness thing is about changing habits.

[Joanney69 in reply to MirandaT]

Great suggestion, MirandaT, I like it 😊

[Minniewinny Host 5 stone Maintainer]

Good morning gemini76

Like RG07 I would check that you are eating enough during your fasting window.. Also foods that will sustain you, if the evenings are harder.. would you maybe try doing a later timeframe to include eveing hotspots?

Have you joined in the daily diary? I found it invaluable to help me to lose the weight by planning ahead my menus..

Cheering you on 🎉🎉🎉

[IndigoBlue61]

One trick I read about was to mentally close the kitchen at 7pm 😊. Evening nibbling is often just a habit that can be changed with time healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Rhea23 in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Like that idea Anna.😊

[MirandaT in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I try to do that and it works for me too - I never thought much about those late night crisps / chocolate / wine but once I stopped late night snacking I realised how many extra calories, salt and sugar I'd been consuming!

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to MirandaT]

That’s great news Miranda 😊. And a much healthier habit

[Active_43]

Well done for giving IF a go but it might just not be for you. Try spreading your calorie allowance throughout the day instead and see if the cravings subside.

IF doesn't suit me at all!

[MGEe1]

What I do is pretty self explanatory: I avoid the goody aisles in the supermarket - if I don't buy it then I can't eat it. For my evening snack I have an apple and / or a banana with a handful of nuts.

[Lumpyloo]

I've come across your post as I've been researching 16:8 diet to see if it is something that may work for me. Do you have to do it every day or just a certain number of days? Is it still working 5 months on?

[Bignut1]

Hi gemini76 how have you got on?

I'm just into my first week of the 16/8 and like yourself only eat between 12pm and 8 pm. What I find myself doing in the evening is drink plenty of water as I've now noticed that sometimes when I thought I was hungry I was actully thirsty.

Hope your still doing well.

[Bungiecat]

Try drinking water instead of the sweet stuff it helps me I did a 16 hour fast from 6pm yesterday to 10 am I am doing 10 to 7pm then a rest day Gail

[Midiwill]

Hi gemini76

Don't worry, it's very normal that you get hungry and crave for sugary food by the evening when you do 16:8. The only thing you have to change is the food that you keep around you during the fasting days.

Biscuits are very easy to reach but keep some nuts near you or prepare some low sugar fruits cuts around you. Try to keep the sugary foods out of reach during fasting hours. Put them all inside a most top cupboard

I have experienced the same. Whenever I felt like eating biscuits or any sweet, I drink a lot of water(mostly it's just thirst) and wait to see if it goes, if not, I go for a green tea or any tea without sugar and milk. Also, try to distract yourself. Listen to your favorite music or change whatever you were doing. As time goes by, this becomes a habit and you will never feel sugar cravings

[jannah]

I have a question what would be the best diet to follow to controlling blood sugar.please help

[lucigret in reply to jannah]

jannah this is a very old post, I am not sure that you will get many replies.

Take a look at this,

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

The best diet for blood sugar is LCHF

[Michele22]

This is really healthy. As a Catholic we always fast on Fridays and of course Lent so I'm used to fasting.