Regarding weight loss to weight management, the two diet plans that come into account are fasting and calorie deficit diets. But, the question arises: which one promises you will drop extra pounds? Let's find out what the study says!
Fasting has gained immense popularity recently and is considered the most effective alternative to traditional weight loss approaches such as calorie-deficit diets. But, the study has proved these assumptions wrong.
Per the result of different studies, as compared to calorie-deficit diets, fasting is not that effective in weight or fat loss. The study further adds that the physical activity and fasting can optimize the weight loss.
If you are on a weight loss journey and want to make your story a real success, you must find the diet plan that suits you. So, let's know about both strategies here in detail. Find which one could be better for weight loss!
Fasting Diets Vs. Calorie Counting: Which Is Most Effective For Weight Loss?
A study was conducted to find which is better for weight loss, a calorie-deficit diet or fasting. The results revealed that fasting is less effective in weight loss than the calorie-deficit diet. According to the researchers, you can add physical activity to boost the weight loss.
Fasting has become a popular approach to losing weight, where a person can eat within a specific time or hours. Usually, people don't eat for hours or even days at a time. People consider that it is an easier way to maintain the body weight. But, the research does not agree with them.
According to the findings, fasting is effective in weight loss, cholesterol, blood pressure, and sugar levels. But, it is not as effective and safe as a calorie-deficit diet. The study further adds that fasting on different or alternative days and daily calorie restriction can produce similar results and be considered effective weight loss approaches.
The weight loss that comes through a calorie-deficit diet comes through fast loss. But, in fasting, half of the weight loss came from the body fat while the remaining half came from the fat-free mass.
Understanding The Relation Between Calories And Weight Loss
Lower calories mean lower pounds and more calories mean more pounds. Calories are energy that our body uses to perform different functions. If you take the required calories, your body will use them to accomplish biological functions such as running the body's organs and digesting the food. But, the problem arises when you eat more number of calories. The extra energy is stored in the body as fat.
Various factors, such as age, genes, and medical conditions, affect the metabolism rate. So, if you are following an active lifestyle, you're young, and your metabolic rate is higher, you may not get fat even if you eat more calories.
Now, the question arises of how the calorie cut helps you lose weight. When you consume fewer calories, your body starts consuming fat to accomplish the body's functions. Resultantly, you start shedding the extra pounds.
How To Cut Calories?
There are various strategies you can follow to cut down the extra calories; for instance, you can:
- Remove the high-calorie treats like donuts, brownies, chips, or chocolate cake. It will save you from at least 250 to 350 calories. Instead, you can walk for 30 minutes and burn 150 calories.
- Snacking is good if you eat something good for your health and lower calories. If you are eating a food that provides more calories between meals, how can you lose weight?
- Soda can provide you with about 150 calories. So, skipping that could be beneficial.
- Replace the high-calorie option with low-calorie favorites. For instance, you can choose yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Start saying no to fried food as it can add many unhealthy calories. You can go from fried fish to boiled or grilled chicken, which would be healthier.
- Always eat on a plate or bowl, whether food or snacks. If you eat from the bag, you can consume more calories.
What Is Intermittent Fasting, Its Health Benefits, And How Does It Work?
Intermittent fasting restricts your eating within a specific time, usually eight hours a day. People find it easier to count the hours instead of calories and go for intermittent fasting regarding weight loss.
Also, instead of finding lower-calorie food, you can eat whatever is available within a specific time, making it convenient.
Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting
Now, the question arises: what are the health benefits of fasting? It helps you fight against heart disease, diabetes, dementia, cancer, and other diseases. Also, it reduces inflammation and insulin sensitivity and stabilizes the blood glucose level.
How Intermittent Fasting Works
There are multiple approaches for intermittent fasting, but time restriction is the most popular because it is more effective for weight loss. People usually fix a time like eight to ten hours a day in which they can eat and then fast for 16 to 14 hours. People fast for about 24 hours, 1 to 3 days a week.
But remember that intermittent fasting is not for everyone. It is not advisable for pregnant women, diabetic patients, or those with eating disorders. Besides, if your body mass index is 18.5 or lower, you are not advised to go for intermittent fasting. When you are fasting, consume more water.
Conclusion:
Intermittent fasting, which restricts people to eat within a specific window of time, usually eight hours a day, is considered a helpful strategy for weight loss. Conversely, a calorie-deficit diet that cuts off a specific number of calories daily is the best way to shed extra pounds. But, which you need to adopt for fat loss becomes harder to find.
According to the latest research, calorie-deficit diets promise better results than fasting. So, to achieve your ideal weight this year, cut down extra calories from your diet. Also, add physical activity to get better and quick results!