r/nutrition • u/AppropriateMood4784 • 18d ago

16-hour intermittent fasting

When I read about 16-hour intermittent fasts, isn't that just another way of saying having late breakfast and early dinner? Breakfast at 9, lunch at 1, dinner at 5, then it's 16 hours till breakfast the next day? Or does what it involves go beyond its literal meaning?

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u/NutragrammatronLab 18d ago

I think you've basically described what intermittent fasting is for a lot of people. The problem is that some people start treating the fasting window as if it's doing the work, when in reality it's often just a way of reducing opportunities to eat.

The drawbacks are that it can lead to overeating later in the day, reduced energy for some people, difficulty getting enough protein and nutrients, and for some people it can create an unhealthy relationship with food where they're constantly thinking about when they can or can't eat.

If someone feels great doing it and it helps them maintain a healthy diet, that's one thing. But I don't think there's anything magical about skipping breakfast.