Fans of intermittent fasting (IF) absolutely rave about all the purported benefits, yes. But behind all the talk about what type of fasting schedule is right for you or whether you can combine IF with other diets like keto, there’s an often-overlooked fact: IF can still cause side effects or have its negatives…especially if you’re not doing it right.
“It’s important to figure out which style of IF works for you, whether that’s a shorter versus longer fasting window or only doing it so many days per week,” says Alyssa Koens, lead registered dietitian of weight loss coaching company Profile Sanford. “If you’re consuming too few calories or nutrients during fasting times, you could have side effects.”
But since there aren’t any formal guidelines for how many calories you should be consuming during IF — or for what kinds of foods you should be filling up on during non-fasting hours — it can be hard to hit your IF groove without some bumps in the road first…assuming it’s even the right choice for you at all. And there are some signs to watch out for that might mean it’s just not the best fit for you and your lifestyle.
But first: If you’re wondering why IF is so popular in the first place, there may be potential benefits of intermittent fasting.
There are several potential positive effects of IF, including weight loss, better appetite control, and lower insulin levels. The main issue is that none of those benefits have been heavily researched in any way. The research is also the scantest in humans (compared to, say, the research in mice).
It’s also unclear if the root cause of the purported benefits is intermittent fasting itself (e.g. how it affects your body, say, on a cellular level) or simply the calorie restriction. So it’s kind of trial and error at this point to see whether an IF eating style works for you and your body.
READ MORE: What You Need To Know Before You Try A Fasting Diet To Lose Weight
On the other hand, there are a bunch of possible negative side effects with IF.
As mentioned, the upsides of intermittent fasting are still very much in the research phase — but there are some promising findings there. However, there’s also plenty of anecdotal evidence that IF does come with some possible negative side effects, and you shouldn’t start an IF eating plan without hashing those things out with your doctor first.
Here are 10 red flags to watch out for. And if you notice any of these side effects, that means stop IF and talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before proceeding.
1. Feeling hangry
We’re not 100 percent certain that “hangriness” is a real word, but it’s definitely a real sensation. This is the feeling of grouchiness, grumpiness, or overall irritability that comes with not being able to eat when your body is telling you it’s hungry.
As WH previously reported, teaching your body to go 16 hours without food takes some practice, and some people’s bodies might not ever be happy eating within a restricted window.
In theory, if you’re consuming enough protein later in the day or night, you shouldn’t be starving first thing in the morning. But if you are, that’s a sign you need to make some dietary adjustments during your caloric intake period to avoid turning into a major crank — or it’s a sign that you’re just not vibing well with fasting. For some people (e.g. those who work out a ton), not eating for long periods may just not be ideal for them at all — and that’s definitely something worth considering. Don’t force it.
2. Fatigue or brain fog
Ever found yourself yawning over and over mid-morning, only to realize you never got around to eating breakfast? Since not eating breakfast is typically how most people do IF, realizing that you’re excessively tired every day — or making dumb mistakes because you’re wading through brain fog — is a tip-off that you’re not eating the right foods during non-fasting hours or that fasting isn’t fitting in with your lifestyle needs.
“Pay attention to what you’re fueling your body with,” says Koens. “You can eat what you want on IF, but you should still be fueling it with good food that will make you feel healthy and strong.” And if you just feel *way* better eating breakfast most days, listen to your body.
3. Food obsessions
Being on any kind of restrictive diet can affect your relationship with food, says Koens. While some people like the rigidity of IF, others may find themselves focusing way too much on when they can eat and how many calories they’re getting.
Spending an excessive amount of time thinking about the quality or quantity of your food every day can lead to a type of eating disorder called orthorexia. According to The National Eating Disorders Association, having orthorexia means you focus so much on “correct” or “healthful” eating that it actually has a detrimental effect on your overall well-being.
That shouldn’t be the goal of any diet, says Koens: “You want to focus on forming a healthy, positive relationship with food.”
READ MORE: Would It Be A Terrible Idea To Try Intermittent Fasting While Breastfeeding?
4. Low blood sugar
If you’re having persistent nausea, headaches, or dizziness during IF, that’s a red flag that indicates the diet may be throwing your blood sugar out of whack. As WH previously reported, diabetics should avoid any kind of fasting diet for this exact reason: IF can cause you to become hypoglycemic, a dangerous condition for anyone with insulin or thyroid problems.
5. Hair loss
Seriously? Yup. Koens says that sudden weight loss or a lack of proper nutrients, especially protein and B vitamins, can cause hair loss.
An important point: While IF doesn’t necessarily lead to a loss of nutrients, it tends to be harder to eat a well-rounded diet when you’re cramming a whole day’s worth of eating into a handful of hours. If you think more hair than usual is falling out in the shower every day, reevaluate the nutrition content of your daily meals and speak with your doctor about whether IF is really a wise move for you.
6. Changes in your menstrual cycle
Here’s another side effect of sudden weight loss (which can be a result of IF): Women who lose a dramatic amount of weight or are consistently not getting enough calories every day might find their menstrual cycles slow down or even stop completely.
Per the Mayo Clinic, women who have excessively low body weight are prone to a condition called amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation. Sudden weight loss or being underweight can disrupt your typical hormone cycle and cause missed periods; so while you might be rejoicing in the way IF has helped you shed pounds, you could also be depriving your body of calories it needs to function.
If you stop getting your period and think it’s linked to intermittent fasting habits you’re practising, stop fasting and speak with your gynaecologist to troubleshoot.
7. Constipation
All backed up? IF could be to blame. “Any diet can cause an upset stomach if you’re not getting enough fluid, vitamins, protein, or fibre,” says Koens, who emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated all day long.
It’s easy, she explains, for people to forget to drink water during fasting hours — but going 16 hours a day without enough fluid is a recipe for (gastrointestinal) disaster. So if you’ve started an IF diet and can’t seem to get your bowel movements to happen regularly (or at all), it’s time to hit pause on your plan and speak with a nutritionist or MD about what’s happening (er, or not happening in this case!).
READ MORE: Can You Drink Black Coffee While Fasting Or No?
8. Unhealthy diet
Even if IF doesn’t trigger a serious disorder like orthorexia, it could still bring about some pretty unhealthy eating habits. In addition to not getting the proper nutrients, you could also find yourself making mess nutritious choices during non-fasting hours.
“The main worry is setting off binge-eating behaviour, because you are so hungry you’re eating 5,000 calories [and going way over your daily amount],” Dr Charlie Seltzer, weight-loss physician and certified personal trainer, previously told WH.
If this sounds like you, you may be better off working with an RD to find a plan that doesn’t force you to restrict your eating hours and instead focuses on fueling your body with proper nutrients around the clock, not in a specific window.
9. Sleep disturbances
Koens says that many people report improved sleep patterns while doing IF, possibly due to the way IF helps curb late-night snacking habits, and in turn, an inability to fall asleep because your stomach is busy still digesting that 10 p.m. nosh.
However, there is some research pointing to the opposite effect. A 2018 review in the journal Nature and Science of Sleep points to evidence that diurnal intermittent fasting (meaning daytime fasting) causes a decrease in rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. Getting enough REM sleep has been linked to all kinds of health benefits, including better memory, cognitive processing, and concentration, per the Harvard Business Review. It’s unclear why exactly.
If you notice you can’t fall asleep or stay asleep after you’ve started an IF eating plan, again, hit pause and talk to a pro to make sure you’re not hurting your health.
10. Mood changes
It would be weird if you didn’t experience any moodiness or *ahem* hangriness during IF, at least in the beginning. And while some people feel a serious boost of energy or motivation once they adjust to fasting, it’s important to remember that it is still a restrictive diet. Feeling obligated to follow it could have negative effects on your mood, especially if you’re becoming isolated from friends or family members due to your diet restrictions.
If you’re feeling down, anxious, or discouraged about IF, it’s crucial to stop and get in touch with a registered dietitian, psychologist, or nutrition coach right away. They may be able to help you create a fasting schedule that better suits your mind and body.
This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com
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