How Do Breads, Rolls, Pies, Cakes and Pastry Fit into My Diet?

Intermittent fasting has taught me that food counts.

Oh sure, not eating for sixteen hours sounds like a long time between meals and it is…that’s why they call it fasting. 

A recent discussion regarding this ideal way to better manage weight centered on how much food could we eat in 8 hours and what foods should we avoid.

The first question my friend asked was, “Do I have to give up bread?”

LOL! She was not the first one to ask that! 

Most of us use intermittent fasting to control our weight. We’ve all dieted and know the rules. Calories, carbs and protein are still the same. Eating all of your food within 8 hours in a sane and timely manner will assure weight loss but if you begin “loading” on high-carb and calorie-laden foods, your tummy will bulge, and weight loss will be minimal.

Let’s say your first meal to break your fast is at 10:00 a.m.  What do you eat? A muffin, croissant, bagel smeared with cream cheese. Or perhaps an apple or an orange. For me, this first meal is most important. Personally, I like to break my fast with protein – two eggs. 

Eggs are filling, they’re low in calories and essentially have zero carbs.  If you’re running out the door each morning, eggs can be boiled the night before, slipped into the fridge and then into your carry-all tote when you’re ready to leave for the day.

So how does bread fit into our daily lives when we’ve grown up eating peanut butter sandwiches and inviting, sugary desserts are offered everywhere, tempting us to indulge our sweet tooth. 

Moderately. 

Eating bread every day, having a cookie or a piece of cake won’t be the end of intermittent fasting. It is recommended that you use this fasting method five days a week but after months of adhering to this new way of eating, you can basically eat what you want in that 8-hour span! Choose wisely and you’ll be delighted how quickly your body sheds unwanted pounds…I’m living proof!