If you take medication or have a medical condition that relies on regularity in food intake, fasting may not be for you.
For those who are otherwise healthy, here are a few things to consider when deciding on a fasting regimen.
How often should I fast?
Every day? Every other day? Only on weekends? There is no right or wrong answer to this question—it depends on what works for you.
How do I fast?
There are two options—both involve going without food for upwards of 16 hours, although it may be helpful to ease into it by starting with less.
Option #1—Early faster
The early faster takes their first bite close to waking up and takes their last within eight hours of that point. For example, if the first meal was at 8 am, the last meal should be no later than 4 pm. Early fasting may not always be practical.
Option #2—Late faster
The late faster may not start eating until the afternoon and will also take their last bite some eight hours later. For example, if the last meal was at 8 pm, they would eat again no earlier than noon. Late fasting, for most people, is the more practical route.
