Is It Safe to Do Intermittent Fasting While On the Keto Diet?

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August 14, 2018
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If you’re as obsessed with Halle Berry as we are, you probably already know that she swears by the ketogenic diet. The 51-year-old actress has been open about using this high-fat, moderate protein, low-carb eating plan to manage both her weight and her type 2 diabetes.

#FitnessFriday Today let’s talk about food. I think the most important part of being healthy and in great shape largely depends on what and when you eat. Being diabetic most of my life, I have always had to take food very seriously. So for years, I have been following the keto or ketogenic diet. I hate the word “diet” so while you’ll see the word diet, just know I encourage you to think of it as a lifestyle change NOT A DIET! Keto is a very low-carb food plan which actually forces your body to burn fat like crazy. I also believe it’s been largely responsible for slowing down my aging process. The keto lifestyle offers so many benefits such as weight loss, (moms that’s how we get rid of our baby bellies), appetite control, more energy and better mental performance. If you’re like me, you can possibly reverse type 2 diabetes, you’ll experience better physical endurance, better skin and also less acne if that’s an issue. And it even helps control migraines! I’m sharing two links (check Stories!) that will explain the lifestyle in detail and it also offers a plan to help you get started! So today I encourage you to say yes to keto, give it a try… what do you have to lose?! #FitnessFridayHB
A post shared by Halle Berry (@halleberry) on Jan 26, 2018 at 1:17pm PST

“I normally eat two meals a day,” Berry told viewers. “I normally skip breakfast and I sort of fast and I do my green drink or I do my bullet coffee,” she added.

Considering those benefits, it’s no surprise Berry is a fan. But is it safe to practice intermittent fasting and the keto diet at the same time? (Related: The Keto Meal Plan for Beginners)

“Technically there is no reason intermittent fasting and keto can’t be combined,” says Health contributing nutrition editor Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD. “Because a keto diet tends to reduce hunger, many people feel it’s easier to stick with intermittent fasting when following a keto plan.” Not much research exists, however, on the effectiveness of pairing the two approaches, Sass adds. (Related: Keto vs. Atkins: Which Is the Better Low-Carb Diet?)

If you’re thinking of trying intermittent fasting, you’ll only see results if the food you do eat is healthy. “Simply eating a high-fat diet on a time-restricted schedule can lead to nutrient shortfalls that can negatively impact your health,” says Sass, “even if you’re losing weight simultaneously.”

Sass also emphasizes that intermittent fasting and the keto diet, separate or together, are not right for everyone. “Intermittent fasting and keto are both big commitments that will impact your social life, and for many people are not sustainable long term.” (Related: 8 Common Keto Diet Mistakes You Could Be Getting Wrong)

Both eating plans involve significant lifestyle changes that can become overwhelming. “If a method of losing weight feels like a struggle and does not make you feel well both physically and emotionally, it’s not right for you, no matter how popular it is,” Sass says. (Related: How the Keto Diet Transformed Jen Widerstrom’s Body In 17 Days)

Though we can all agree that intermittent fasting and the keto diet seem to be working for Berry, it’s important to remember our bodies are uniquely ours and might not have the same needs as someone else’s.

This story originally appeared onHealth.com by Samantha Lauriello.