Here at Bodē Pro, we have talked a lot about intermittent fasting and touted its potential benefits. We are clearly big fans! However, if you have tried intermittent fasting but feel like it is not going the way you had hoped, check out these tips to make fasting work better for you.

• Eat healthy foods. When you reach your eating window each day, be sure you are loading up on healthy fuel for your body instead of just indulging in junk food. If this is the only time period during which you are eating for the day, be sure you give your body the kind of nutrients it needs to help you reach your full potential.

• Eat because you’re hungry, not just because you’re in your eating window. Forcing yourself to eat when you are not hungry can have negative effects on your health, but one of the benefits of intermittent fasting can be a great awareness of your body’s hunger cues. If you find you are simply not feeling hungry until your eating window closes, it might be worth re-evaluating your window and adjusting it to a later time.

• Choose filling foods. In addition to eating healthier foods as mentioned above, make sure you are choosing foods that will keep you full longer rather than high-calorie small portions of junk food. Consider some high-fiber foods like nuts, beans, fruits, and vegetables as well as foods that are high in protein such as meat, fish, or tofu that could help you feel sated after your eating window ends.

• Drink water. Often, we can mistake hunger for thirst, so if you feel hungry outside of your eating window, try drinking a glass of water!

As always, you should talk to your physician before embarking on any new diet or exercise program. Plus, your doctor might have recommendations to help you adapt to intermittent fasting if the two of you determine this is the right path for you. Remember the adage “work smarter, not harder” while making intermittent fasting work to fit your lifestyle!