Isn't 16:8 just another way to restrict calories?

[losenotloose]

So if I only ate within an 8 hour window but 2000+ calories I won't lose weight will I? Is it just another way to restrict calories or is there a scientific reason why eating this way helps you lose weight??

I agree with you, I think the idea is that over time you will eat less in the window rather then cram food in, most people usually end up skipping one meal with it. However, I love 16:8 for other reasons, it's worked wonders for my IBS and acid reflux

I thought so! I don't mind the idea of lowering calories I just resent every diet being sold as some kind of miracle cure! It's just restricting calories under a different name! Same with low carbing, 'it's amazing, you can eat all the double cream you like! '. What, without cake?! Without pudding?

I think the difference with 16:8 (and all IF) is that there's a scientific explanation for the fat burning periods when you're fasting. So it's not JUST about having less time to eat the calories, it's also about how the hours 14-16 are when your body is literally burning fat (supposedly). That said, if you squeezed fewer higher calorie foods into your 8 hours you wouldn't lose weight.

It's to do with reducing insulin levels. Jason fung obesity code is very good.

Well there's a whole insulin benefit too apparently.

But yeah basically it just stops you shoving three meals worth into your mouth (& a couple of packets of crisps) and instead makes you just shove 2 meals worth in (with no crisps).

But if you still eat your normal amount in 8 hours, you won't lose a pound.

I naturally came upon the 16:8 when I decided I’d only eat when I was hungry. Breakfast is my favourite meal but I realised I’m not actually hungry when I wake up, so I just moved breakfast to 12.00 and then have another meal in the evening. It suits me down to the ground. I’d never be able to give up porridge.

I'm glad it works for some people but if you basically just eat two meals instead of three then it's a bit of a let down for me. I was hoping someone would come along explaining that yes, you can eat three meals, a pudding and wine and lose weight, it just has to be squeezed into an eight hour window!

Whichever way you chop it, it comes down to calories. Insulin is also benefitted from keto but eat too much protein or coffee and sweetners then it spikes.
Skipping meals and portion control which becomes easiet when you eat less your stomach shrinks and your hunger signals become clearer.

It’s not about calories, it’s about reducing insulin levels. Jason Fung explains it better than I ever could, plenty of his free content on YouTube.

My very rudimentary understanding of it is that it helps to balance the insulin spikes which effectively drive our hunger. So yes you have less time to eat BUT because your insulin and therefore your hunger is more balanced, you don't actually WANT to eat 3 courses and a family size bar of chocolate.

Interesting. So you reduce calories because you're actually less hungry? So yes it's calorie restriction but in theory without the suffering.

It's not just about weight loss. My weight was fine but I would eat small meals then snack on high-sugar foods at night and was getting high blood pressure, and had really fluctuating energy levels.

16:8 (well, sometimes that and sometimes more like 14:10) has improved my blood pressure and diet a lot, and my energy levels a fair bit too. I've lost a few pounds too, even though I wasn't particularly intending to, but there are other benefits as well

Here's some detail via a Harvard research doctor - one thing was that they studied men eating the exact same calories in 3 meals between 7am and 7pm and 7am and 3pm, and the fasting group had much better outcomes.

www.health.harvard.edu/blog/intermittent-fasting-surprising-update-2018062914156

It 100% reduces your hunger.

In fact it's literally the only diet plan that has made a glutton like me, actually stop feeling hungry.

Oh its not overnight - the first few days you do feel hungry and are watching the clock (but you can start off just fasting for 14 hours and build it up).

But after a week or so you never really go beyond peckish and you just drink a lot and it stays at only peckish.

Oh and bloating pretty much disappears overnight.

16:8; would having a single cup of tea with milk at 8am, then having your eating window 12 noon to 8, ruin it?

Yep.

But I always put a wee drop of skimmed milk in because I don't care too much about ruining the insulin part of it. I don't have any issues with my blood sugar and I can't drink black tea. I've tried!

There are people who put a chicken stock thingy into hot water and drink that. It's called "dirty fasting" to break the rules slightly.

These little things mean that your weight loss is probably going to be a bit more gradual than someone who is strict about fluids. It's up to you.

I do 16:8 more or less all the time but I still allow myself a tea with milk at 7.30 am.

Ive started this today, will be planning to start the day with green tea until I start eating, but as I didn't have any in went for blackcuurrant tea instead!