Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Alexander Spatari
Topics: Food and Drink, TikTok, Social Media, Health
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Food and Drink, TikTok, Social Media, Health
Warning: This article contains discussion of dietary habits which some readers may find distressing.
A TikToker has explained what really happens when you 'intermittent diet' sparking debate over the practice.
When it comes to healthy eating, it feels like there are a million-and-one things you're supposed to do or not meant to do, and it can feel impossible to know what advice to take.
Ultimately, it's about finding what's safest and healthiest for you and your body.
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But if you've heard about 'intermittent fasting' - some people practising it by skipping breakfast - then it's important to know both sides of the argument.
A TikToker called Wintertok7 took to the platform on April 20 to break down what happens when someone 'skips breakfast' - in this case, referring to the type of eating diet known as 'intermittent fasting'.
He explained: "Let's imagine at 8:00pm you are completely done eating for the night which technically means your fast would start at 8:00pm.
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"Four hours later, at midnight, your blood sugar would be normalized.
"When you wake up at 6:00am, your digestive system has completely reset.
"When you finally roll out of bed, you're going to skip your cereal, your bagel, you're not going to go to Dunkin' or Starbucks, you're just not going to eat anything.
"By 8:00am, your fat burning is going to kick in and your HGH production is going to go up.
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"By 10:00am, your body has really ramped up the fat burning process - and if you went to workout in the morning, it's even better - your body is literally beginning to eat your love handles for breakfast."
The TikToker says if you then 'break your fast' 16 hours later at around 12:00pm with 'something that is high in protein, fat and fiber' you're 'not going to spike your blood sugar which means you're not going to spike you're insulin so you're going to stay in fat-burning mode'.
While Heathline notes there can be some health benefits to fasting, other experts have spoken out in warning of the practice.
Expert in holistic wellbeing and Master NLP Practitioner, Nicci Roscoe, argued '[no] matter how busy you are, it's important to start the day off right with a decent breakfast'.
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She argued: "Eating breakfast helps to kickstart your metabolism and stave off cravings, and it needn't be an elaborate affair."
However, she agreed with the TikToker when it comes to prioritizing protein, reducing sugar intake and being careful when it comes to caffeinated drinks.
Rather than avoiding certain foods, she advises to eat things in moderation and also be mindful - only eating when you're 'present in the moment' rather than 'eating on autopilot' or when 'distracted' - so turn that TV off.
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If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone, contact National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). You can reach them on their free hotline at 1(888)-375-7767, which is open Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm CST.