The act of fasting has existed for centuries but has recently become increasingly popular over the last few years, due to the proposed health benefits such as weight loss and blood sugar control.
However, although fasting might be the newest diet craze popping up all over the world, there are so many questions surrounding the concept, especially when it comes to the consumption of super greens powders.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the reasons why people fast, explain the different types of fasting, and provide some tips on how you can successfully fast in a way that’s both safe and beneficial for you.
But most importantly, we’re going to look at the relationship between fasting and super greens powders, to shed some light on whether super greens break a fast.
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Some people fast because of religious beliefs, some do so in protest, and some do so without realizing at all. But, as mentioned above, fasting has become increasingly popular in recent years due to proposed health benefits and therefore a large percentage of people all over the world have started to take part in the process.
Although there are several methods to fasting, (that we will take a look at shortly) the health benefits from each are generally the same and are widely celebrated.
Fasting promotes blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance, promotes heart health, reduces inflammation, improves blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels, and aids weight loss (1).
In addition, fasting may boost the brain’s functions, delay aging, help with combating certain types of cancers, boost metabolism, and increase muscle strength (1).
Intermittent fasting is the process of selecting time periods for eating and selecting time periods for fasting. There are a variety of different eating/fasting patterns that you can choose from when you start intermittent fasting, so let’s take a look at some of the most common types.
The 16:8 Method
The 16:8 fasting method occurs when an individual fasts for 16 hours, then eats within an 8-hour window. This is probably the most popular type of fasting overall because it fits into most people’s lives quite easily. For example, you can eat from 10 am – 6 pm and then start your fast. Most of this fasting time is taken up by sleeping, hence the ease of it.
The 5:2 Method
The 5:2 method occurs when an individual eats a normal, healthy diet for 5 days of the week, and then for the other 2 days, restricts their calorie intake to 500 calories. The two days have to be spaced apart so that there aren’t 2 consecutive fasting days. For example, you might choose Tuesday and Friday to be your fast days.
The Alternate-Day Method
The alternative day method occurs when an individual eats a normal healthy diet one day, and the next day either consumes a restricted calorie intake of 500 calories or fasts completely. So it’s similar to the 5:2 method but more intense.
You may also be interested in: Our Recommended Greens Powder
- Ease into it.
Fasting is difficult, and you will need to ease into it. If you’ve never fasted before, do not jump straight in and try to do a 7 day fast – you will most likely fail and could become ill. Instead, try the 16:8 method first, and once you’ve mastered that type of fast, feel free to try others. - Make sure you stay hydrated.
Although you might think you’re not allowed to consume anything when fasting, you are if it contains 0 calories – so you can drink water! It’s important to stay hydrated whilst fasting because when we consume a normal diet, we actually receive a lot of our hydration from food. - Have a nutritious diet when not fasting.
For fasting to provide you with the desired health benefits, you need to make sure you have a healthy, nutritious diet when you’re not fasting. There’s no point fasting if as soon as you break a fast you reach for the chocolate or pizza. Try to stay healthy and eat your superfoods. - Break your fast the right way.
One of the most important things that people often look past or ignore when fasting is the fact that it’s vital that you break your fast the right way. You shouldn’t have a huge meal to break your fast, instead, you need to consume small amounts of vegetables and fruits.
Overall, the answer to this question is yes. Most super greens formulas contain around 50 calories, and therefore consuming a super greens drink will break your fast if you are on a ‘no eating’ type of fast.
However, if you are doing a 5:2 type of fast or alternate-day fasting, super greens formulas are one of the best ways to ensure you are keeping a low-calorie diet as well as also consuming the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients for optimal daily health.
In addition, super greens formulas are the perfect thing to break a fast. As mentioned above, whatever you consume to break a fast should be light and nourishing, and that’s exactly what super greens formulas are. Consuming a super greens formula to break your fast means that your body will become gently revitalized and fulfilled with all the nutrients needed.
If you are to consume a super greens powder when you are in a ‘no eating’ phase of a fast, then this will break your fast due to the number of calories present in the formula. However, if you use the 5:2 method of fasting or alternate-day fasting, a super greens drink is the perfect way to stay low on calories whilst consuming all of the essential nutrients needed for optimal health.
Although, it’s vital to remember that super greens formula is the perfect thing to break a fast, as they provide your body with a light, potent hit of nutrition.
If you’re about to embark on a fasting diet, good luck and be safe!
Our Recommended Greens
Among the best in green superfood powders is SuperGreen TONIK.
Its amazing how this supplement combines organic greens, brain and immune nutrients, all in one easy, great tasting drink. Plus, you get all the vitamin and mineral you need each day.
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- Hi, my name is Sandra! I am the main author and reviewer of Super Greens Expert. I am a keen juicer as I was want to get all my daily veggies. Having found super greens I now use one such supplement daily.