The Fast Diet: What To Know

Overview

The aim:

May include weight loss, disease prevention and optimal health. 

The claim:

You’ll lose weight – specifically fat – and reduce your risk of a host of chronic diseases.

The theory:

Michael Mosley, a journalist trained as a doctor at the Royal Free Hospital in London, and Mimi Spencer, a journalist and author, tout the scientific evidence behind significantly cutting calories two days a week as well as their own experiences with this method in their book “The FastDiet.” They say that when we intermittently fast, we’re fooling our bodies into thinking we may be experiencing a famine, in which case the body switches into maintenance mode and burns energy from fat stores. As our bodies respond to this stressor, they toughen up – essentially following the logic of, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” 

Balanced Diet

These diets fall within accepted ranges for the amount of protein, carbs, fat and other nutrients they provide.

Pros & Cons

• Few rules to keep track of
• You’re only dieting two days of the week

• Unsafe for some people
• You may get hungry