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10 Drinks That Will Ward Off Hunger Without Breaking Your Fast, and 6 You Should Avoid

Dr. Eric Berg gets real about what is acceptable on a keto diet.

Leah Groth
By Leah GrothSep 16, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Leah Groth
By Leah GrothSep 16, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fitness & Workouts

Are you on a keto diet but aren’t sure what you can drink while you are fasting? Eric Berg, DC, is a doctor and chiropractor who specializes in keto and intermittent fasting. He regularly shares videos on how to lose weight with time-restricted eating and has amassed a whopping 12.1 million YouTube subscribers. In a viral video, he discusses “the non-acceptable and acceptable liquids during intermittent fasting,” which he calls a “very important topic because so many people make mistakes when they're fasting.”

What Is a “True” Fast

“A true fast is really not eating anything except drinking water,” he says. “The problem with that is the majority of the population has a lot less stored nutrients than we had even 20 years ago. So you're going to experience all sorts of side effects and problems if you don't enhance your fasting with certain nutrients.”

What Happens When You Break a Fast

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“The benefits of fasting can get nullified with anything that spikes insulin. So the whole goal of doing fasting is to lower your insulin as low as possible,” he says. “When you consume pure fat, okay, you don't trigger insulin. When you consume fiber, which is a carbohydrate, you're not going to trigger insulin. Your body is going to go after that fat as its primary calories before it taps into your own body fat. So even though you're in ketosis, the ketones are coming from the dietary fat, not your own fat. This is why you may not be losing weight,” he says. However, if you consume pure fat during a fast, “it's not gonna increase insulin, it's not gonna bump you outta ketosis, but it's just gonna stop your weight loss.”

Water

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Number one, water. “Of course, there's good water, and there's bad water. Tap water is just filled with chemicals. So if you need to get a filter, get one and start using it because there are plastics, there are chemicals, there are hormones in the water supply, not to mention the toxic chemicals that they use to kill off germs and things in the city water. So just get a filter,” he suggests. “Spring water is the best you can do. Bottled water. Pellegrino is a bit expensive, but it has all the minerals, and it's naturally carbonated.

RELATED:I Lost Over 50 Pounds and This Is the Only Tip You Need to Do the Same

Apple Cider Vinegar

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You can also add apple cider vinegar to water. “ACV vinegar will greatly help your blood sugars. It's an acid so it's going to help your digestion. So you're gonna just digest better. And even though you drink it when you're not eating, it's still gonna help your digestion,” he says. He recommends adding a tablespoon in water a few times a day.

Lemon Juice

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Next up, lemon juice. “Lemon juice has citrates, which help inhibit oxalates. So it decreases the risk of getting a kidney stone. Lemon juice does have vitamin C, but only if it's a fresh lemon. If it's in a lemon concentrate, it's pasteurized. It's not going to have pretty much any vitamin C at all. So the goal is not to drink it for vitamin C. The goal is to drink it to help prevent kidney stones by inhibiting oxalates. And it's also good for other things too. It helps the liver, it helps the gallbladder and it also has certain phytonutrients that help in other ways.”

Diet Sodas

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Diet sodas are a “big fat no,” he says. “The artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame, affects your microbiome and that can indirectly affect your insulin levels and create insulin resistance and that can actually cause you to put on weight.”

Diet Sodas Made with Stevia

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However, diet sodas made with stevia, “that's a whole different story. Totally fine,” he says. Monk fruit is another good sweetener as well.

RELATED:3 Reasons Why You Should Eat Bananas Every Day to Burn Fat

Black Coffee

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Next up, coffee. “If you're just doing black coffee, it's not going to hurt you at all. So that would be a yes on the list. The only point I'm gonna bring up is caffeine. If you're drinking a lot of coffee throughout the day, you're gonna be consuming a lot of caffeine and that can inhibit your sleep cycles, which will then increase cortisol and that will slow down your weight loss. So I would recommend only doing one cup in the morning if possible. That's what I do. And my cup is actually pretty small. Of course the coffee is strong, but it's a very small cup. I would definitely spend a little bit more money and get organic because out of all the things that are sprayed with pesticides, coffee beans are at the top of the list.

Bulletproof Coffee

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Next up is Bulletproof coffee, which has butter or MCT oil added. “This brings up the point that I talked about in the beginning: It's not going to bump you out of ketosis; it's going to bump you out of losing weight if you have a slow metabolism,” he says. “But I do recommend Bulletproof Coffee in the very beginning while you start this program because it's gonna allow you to do longer fasting and it has other benefits for your cognitive ability because MCT oil and even butter will help you generate ketones for your brain and it's going to help you with memory and focus and concentration.

Coffee with Half-and-Half or Cream

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“Now what about half and half versus cream?” he asks. “Half and half is half milk and half cream. And then you have whole cream or whipping cream. Now half and half has maybe 1.6 grams of carbs. So I mean, it's pretty small, but it has some in two tablespoons, whereas whole cream has zero carbs. So I would always recommend doing the whole cream in your coffee versus the half and half,” he says.

Coffee with Non-Dairy Creamer

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Next up, coffee with non-dairy creamers. “Those things are filled with chemicals, so I would avoid those at all costs,” he says.

Tea

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Next, tea. “Green tea is very good to consume when you're fasting. There are certain phytonutrients in tea, even if you heat the tea that will help your metabolism, that will speed things up, that have antioxidant properties that have other phytonutrients that fight cancer, that have phytonutrients that support blood sugars, and the list goes on and on and on. I highly recommend consuming some type of herbal tea. Green tea is one of them. There's many others on a keto plan, but just one point about that is that these teas sometimes have caffeine. So take that in consideration because that can start affecting your sleep, especially if you're sensitive.”

RELATED:I'm a Nutritionist and This Is the One Habit Worth Adopting to Transform Your Body

Coconut Water

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Next, coconut water, which has between 11 to 16 grams of sugar, he points out. “So you definitely want to avoid coconut water. Some people drink it for hydration thinking it's a great electrolyte drink, but it comes with a package, it comes with a lot of sugar. And anytime you eat sugar or when you're fasting, you nullify your results for a good amount of time.

Coconut Milk

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“Coconut milk also has some carbs, but it really depends on the type of coconut milk,” he says. “The coconut milk from brand name Silk actually has one gram of carbs, so that may be okay. So coconut water is a no, coconut milk could be a maybe.”

Pre-Workout Powder

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The next drink is “pre-workout powders that you would put in your drink, like branch chain amino acids,” he said. “Not good at all.” Why? “This protein is not a complete protein, it is just amino acids.” You don't want them while you're fasting, as they will “definitely bump you out of ketosis,” he says. “It will bump you out of fat burning.”

Alcohol

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What about alcohol? “You've probably heard of types of alcohol that are so-called keto friendly. They have no carbs in them. Here's the problem. The alcohol itself really toxifies your liver, which is gonna affect your fasting results and your ability to lose weight and your autophagy. It's not a good idea in any amounts,” he says.

Milk

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Is milk keto friendly? “That would be a big fat, no, because one cup has 12 grams of carbs and zero fiber,” he says.

RELATED: This Plan Is How to Lose 5 Percent Body Fat In 2 Weeks

Electrolytes

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Another drink he approves of? Electrolytes, “if it doesn't have any added sugar, if it's sweetened with stevia or monk fruit, totally fine,” he says. “Electrolytes are essential when you're fasting. So are other nutrients like B vitamins and vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids because the last thing you want to have happen is run out of these nutrients when you're fasting and get dizzy or faint or feel weak.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

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Nutrition & Diet

10 Fasting Mistakes This Weight Loss Expert Says You Need to Stop Making Now

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Dr. Morgan Nolte, Zivli/YouTube
Christopher Roback
By Christopher RobackNov 18, 2024
Christopher Roback
Health & Wellness Writer | Author | Exclusive Contributor at Body Network
Christopher Roback is a health and wellness writer and exclusive contributor to Body Network.
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✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you struggling to see results with intermittent fasting? You're not alone. Many people start their fasting journey with high hopes, only to hit frustrating plateaus. The good news? Most fasting setbacks come down to a few simple, fixable mistakes. Dr. Morgan Nolte, a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy and founder of Zivli, has identified the most common pitfalls that derail fasting success. With her expertise in metabolic health and weight management, she helps clients overcome these obstacles to achieve lasting results. Read on to discover how to avoid these common pitfalls and finally unlock the weight loss results you've been working toward.

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

Unlike traditional diets that focus on what to eat, intermittent fasting centers on when you eat. As Johns Hopkins neuroscientistMark Mattson explains, "Our bodies have evolved to be able to go without food for many hours, or even several days or longer." This natural fasting ability stems from our prehistoric ancestors, who often went long periods between successful hunts.

How Does It Work?

"After hours without food, the body exhausts its sugar stores and starts burning fat," says Mattson, who has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years. He calls this "metabolic switching." This differs from typical American eating patterns, where frequent meals prevent burning fat. "If someone is eating three meals a day, plus snacks, and they're not exercising, then every time they eat, they're running on those calories and not burning their fat stores."

You're Overeating Processed Foods During Your Eating Window

"Even keto or low-carb processed foods can halt your progress," warns Dr. Nolte in her post. She emphasizes that while intermittent fasting is powerful, what you eat matters just as much as when you eat. The golden rule remains: focus on real, unprocessed foods to optimize both weight loss and metabolic health.

You're Fasting Too Long Too Soon

Shocking your body with dramatic fasting windows can backfire. Dr. Nolte recommends gradually increasing your fasting period by 30-60 minutes rather than jumping straight to lengthy fasts. "Starting too aggressively often leads to a restriction mindset and eventual overeating," she explains.

You're Not Drinking Enough Water

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Many forget that we get significant hydration from food. "When fasting, you need to be extra mindful about water intake," says Dr. Nolte. She recommends drinking half your body weight in ounces daily, aiming for clear or light yellow urine as an indicator of good hydration.

You're Consuming Sweet Drinks While Fasting

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Even zero-calorie sweeteners can trigger insulin release. "Anything sweet, including alcohol and diet drinks, signals your brain that calories are coming," Dr. Nolte explains. This can increase hunger and disrupt fat burning, defeating the purpose of your fast.

RELATED:Dad Drops 125 Pounds in Just 13 Months By Eating These Foods Every Day

You're Skipping Electrolytes

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Dr. Nolte admits this was her own mistake for years. "Unflavored electrolytes during fasting can improve muscle recovery and overall energy," she shares. She recommends either using plain LMNT supplements or making your own mixture with magnesium, potassium, and sea salt.

You're Afraid to Exercise While Fasting

Exercise during fasting can be highly effective when done right. Dr. Nolte recommends Zone 2 aerobic exercise at about 70% of your maximal heart rate. "This level of activity is perfect for fat burning while maintaining muscle mass," she notes.

You're Eating Too Many Starches and Sugars

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"There are essential proteins and fats, but no essential starches or sugars," Dr. Nolte points out. To maximize fasting benefits, she advises reducing starchy and sugary foods even during eating windows, as these trigger the largest insulin responses.

RELATED:Weight Loss Coach Shares 5 Key Reverse Dieting Hacks

You're Fasting at the Wrong Time in Your Cycle

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For menstruating women, timing matters. Dr. Nolte recommends focusing fasting efforts during days 1-14 of your cycle. "The week of your period through ovulation is optimal for fasting," she explains, while suggesting more flexibility around ovulation and pre-menstrual phases.

You're Fasting Despite Poor Sleep

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Sleep deprivation increases hunger hormones, making fasting much harder. "If you're not getting at least seven hours of sleep, focus on improving that before extending your fasts beyond 14 hours," Dr. Nolte advises.

You're Being Impatient About Results

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"There is no entitlement in weight loss," Dr. Nolte emphasizes. Initial weight loss might be water weight as insulin levels drop, and that's normal. She encourages focusing on long-term health benefits rather than quick fixes, noting that sustainable results take time.

The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

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The science behind fasting is compelling. "Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related neurodegenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers," Mattson notes in his research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Studies have shown improvements in memory, heart health, physical performance, and blood sugar control.

RELATED:This 15-Minute Walking Workout Has 87,000 People Burning Fat Without Leaving Home

Safety and Considerations

While intermittent fasting can be practiced safely by many people, it's not suitable for everyone. Mattson advises that "it can take two to four weeks before the body becomes accustomed to intermittent fasting." He notes that while initial hunger and irritability are common, many people stick with it after the adjustment period because they notice improved well-being. However, certain groups should avoid fasting, including children, pregnant women, people with type 1 diabetes, and those with a history of eating disorders. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any fasting regimen. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Nutrition & Diet

20 Intermittent Fasting Mistakes Preventing You From Losing Weight

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Dr. Morgan Nolte/YouTube
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothJul 16, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
FACT CHECKED BY Alek Korab
✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you already on the intermittent fasting bandwagon, but can’t seem to lose weight? You might be making a critical mistake, claims one expert. Dr. Morgan Nolte, PT, DPT, GCS, is a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy and the founder of Zivli. In a viral YouTube video she discusses the most common missteps people make while practicing time restricted eating. “If you are using intermittent fasting to lose weight or get healthy, be sure to avoid these 10 common intermittent fasting weight loss mistakes,” she says in the video. “The goal of this episode is to help you avoid 10 common intermittent fasting weight loss mistakes that I've made and that I see my clients make, especially beginners just getting started with fasting.”

Keep in Mind That When You Start on the Weight Loss Journey, Your Body Might Take Time to Adjust

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“When you're trying to lose weight or get healthy, there are so many forces working against you,” she says. “Your body likes the status quo and doesn't want to change.”

Intermittent Fasting Is a Great Tool to Lower Insulin and Get Your Body Into Fat Burning Mode

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“Habits are hard to break, but using intermittent fasting is one of the best tools in your weight loss toolbox because when you don't eat, your insulin stays low. Insulin is your fat creation and storage hormone. So if you want to get into fat burning, intermittent fasting is a great tool to lower insulin,” she continues.

If You Have Insulin Resistance There Is More to the Equation Than Just “Eat Less, Exercise More”

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“When insulin is too high for too long, you may develop insulin resistance, which makes losing weight harder. It's also a root cause for type two diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. So living a low insulin and inflammation lifestyle is key to better health and keeping the weight off,” Dr. Nolte continues. “It takes a more specific and targeted strategy than just eat less, exercise more to lose weight with insulin resistance.”

Here Is Who Should Try Intermittent Fasting

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Who should try intermittent fasting? “If you've been at a weight loss plateau or are just getting started and maybe you've lost some weight but you're terrified to regain or you just have a few extra pounds to lose, intermittent fasting can be a helpful strategy for you,” she maintains.

Keep in Mind That Intermittent Fasting Is Basically Time-Restricted Eating

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She also wants to “take any drama or fear” out of the term intermittent fasting. “Everyone is already intermittent fasting. Anytime you are not eating, you are intermittently. Fasting when you're sleeping is a great example. So for that reason, I prefer the term time-restricted eating or feeding because it's more descriptive of what you're doing. You're shortening your eating window so that more time of your day is spent fasting to lower insulin.”

Everyone Should Fast for 12 to 14 Hours a Day

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“I recommend everyone fast for at least 12 to 14 hours per day. That would be considered a baseline level of intermittent fasting, and in my opinion is ideally just part of everyone's lifestyle unless they have a medical reason not to,” she says.

Moderate Intermittent Fasting Is 14 to 24 Hours Fast and Anything Longer, Advanced

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“I consider moderate intermittent fasting, anything from about 14 to 24 hours,” Dr. Nolte says. She defines “more advanced fasting” as “anything longer than a day.” She recommends “moderate intermittent fasting because we want you to lose weight how you're gonna live the rest of your life and not necessarily view fasting as a diet,” she says.

Talk to a Doctor Before Extending Your Fast

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“There are good medical reasons for advanced or extended fasting, but they may require more direct medical supervision depending on your health conditions,” she continues. “While intermittent fasting is the most powerful tool in your weight loss toolbox, it is still just one tool.”

Mistake 1: Overeating or Eating Too Much Processed Food

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“What you eat and how much you eat is very important too. So mistake number one is overeating or eating too much processed food,” Dr. Nolte reveals. “The golden rule of nutrition is to eat real unprocessed food. Whatever dietary pattern you ascribe to the golden rule still applies and will make that nutritional pattern healthier.”

Mistake 2: Fasting Too Long

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“The second major mistake, especially for those who want to make time restricted eating part of their lifestyle is they fast for too long,” reveals Dr. Nolte. “Starting out, they shock their brain and body and develop a restriction mindset that leads to overeating or binging.” Instead, “gradually increasing your fasting window versus going from say, a 10 hour fasting window to a 16 hour fasting window in one day,” is the way to go. “Gradually increasing by 30 to 60 minutes will be easier for both your brain and your body to adjust, but before you advance your fasting window, refer to my first point about learning how to properly fuel your body so that when you are fasting, you're not as hungry.”

Mistake 3: Underhydration

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“Speaking of hunger, that brings me to the third mistake of under hydration. Much of the water we consume in a day comes during meals to help us chew and swallow our food. We also get some water from the food that we eat. So if you're not eating, it will be especially important to hydrate,” she explains. “Aim for at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day. Ideally, your urine is clear or light yellow. Now, small amounts of caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea, like less than four to 500 milligrams would technically count towards your water intake.”

Mistake 4: Drinking Alcohol or Sweetened Beverages – EvenThose with Non-Nutritive Sweeteners While Fasting

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“The fourth intermittent fasting mistake is drinking alcohol or any sweetened beverage, whether with sugar or non-nutritive sweeteners, even the healthy ones, during your fasting window,” she says. Sugary beverages, alcohol, and many zero or low calorie drinks like ice, Coke Zero, really anything sweet, will trigger the hypothalamic region in your brain to make you think that calories are coming in. The hypothalamus then sends a signal to your pancreas via your vagal nerve that says, ‘Hey, you better get some insulin pumped out because we have some sweet stuff coming in.’ Then the insulin gets pumped out, but there's not really a direct rise in the glucose because you didn't actually eat any sugar or calories. So insulin pushes glucose already in your bloodstream into your cells, which lowers blood sugar. This drop in blood sugar sends a signal to your brain to increase your hunger, which is not something that we wanna do when we're fasting.

Mistake 5. Not Having Electrolytes While Fasting

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“Piggybacking on the hydration mistake is mistake number five, which is not having electrolytes when you're fasting,” says Nolte. “This was a mistake that I made for a long time, but finally started taking them when I felt like my muscles were taking longer to recover from exercise than what I wanted.” She recommends unflavored electrolytes with no added sugar or sweeteners.

Mistake 6: Fearing Exercise

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“Mistake number six is fearing exercise when you're fasting,” says Nolte. “This is one that's very personalized based on the level of intensity of your workouts and body composition goals.” She recommends taking exercise one step at a time. “Start with where you're at and know that any movement is better than none. But for optimal mitochondrial health and fat burning an hour of zone two aerobic exercise several times a week can be great. If you're struggling through your workouts, try including electrolytes in your water during and after exercise.”

Mistake 7: Eating Too Much Starch and Sugar During Your Window

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“Mistake number seven is eating too much starch and sugar during your eating window,” says Nolte. “To maximize the benefits of intermittent fasting for weight loss and fat burning, it's important to reduce starches and sugars in your diet. Starches and sugar have the biggest insulin response of all three macronutrients. Now remember, the whole goal here is to live a low insulin and inflammation lifestyle. There are essential proteins and fats, and I'd argue that fiber is essential too, but there are no essential starches or sugars. So if you're at a plateau, do a nutrition audit and check to see how you could increase your portions of protein, fat, and fiber from whole foods and reduce the portions of starches and sugar.”

Mistake 8: Fasting at the Wrong Time of Your Menstrual Cycle

Woman planning her monthly menstruation calendar, mark the days of menstruation and ovulation. She sitting on bed wearing home clothesShutterstock

“Now, mistake number eight is fasting at the wrong time of your menstrual cycle,” Nolte continues. “If you're a woman still menstruating, the best time to experiment or start fasting is the week of your period up to ovulation. So about days one to 14, you won't wanna do longer fasts during ovulation or the week before your period.”

Mistake 9: Fasting When You’re Not Sleeping Well

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Mistake number nine is fasting when you're not sleeping well. “Sleep deprivation will increase your hunger hormone, ghrelin and make fasting harder, not something that we want,” she says. “If you're not sleeping at least seven hours a night, I'd focus on improving your baseline nutrition and sleep before starting anything longer than a 14 hour fast. It will just be easier and you're gonna see better results.”

Mistake 10: Being Impatient and Giving Up Too Soon

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“I've saved the best mistake for last, and that is being impatient about your results and giving up too soon,” she says. “There is no entitlement in weight loss. I know that for some, when you fast, you feel like you deserve to see results on the scale right away, and you might because fasting lowers insulin faster than anything else. And when your insulin is lower, you'll excrete more water. So the first bit of weight you lose may be water weight. The weight loss will likely slow down, and that is 100% normal expected. And okay, we've got to get over the instant gratification mindset If our aim is long-term weight loss and better health because that mindset is not serving you.”

Tackle One of These at a Time

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“No need to tackle all of these at once as that often leads to overwhelm, like you're taking two steps forward and then one step back,” Nolte concludes. “Instead just pick one and narrow your focus, your efforts will be way more effective that way.”

Follow Dr. Nolte on Social Media

dr-morgan-nolteDr. Morgan Nolte/YouTube

You can follow Dr. Morgan Nolte on social media for more intermittent fasting advice. Here is her YouTube Channel and Instagram account.

Nutrition & Diet

3 Truths I Tell My Patients About 16:8 Fasting as a Medical Professional

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Leah Groth
By Leah GrothOct 21, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
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Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Are you considering trying intermittent fasting to lose weight? Doctor James O'Donovan, MBBS, specializes in aging and regularly shares videos on promoting longevity. In one of his viral videos, he discusses a popular weight loss method, 16:8 intermittent fasting, going over everything you need to know about the trending eating style.

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

“Intermittent fasting is when you alternate between periods of eating and fasting. This type of eating is often described as ‘patterns’ or ‘cycles’ of fasting,” he writes in the caption of the clip. “Intermittent fasting isn't about starving yourself — it's about cutting way back on calories for short time periods. The belief is that your body becomes satisfied with smaller portions while also reducing cravings for unhealthy snack foods. That is, as long as you maintain a healthy diet while trying it all out.”

16:8 Fast for 16 Hours and Feast for 8

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16:8 Intermittent fasting is “a popular type of intermittent fasting that involves fasting for 16 hours and an 8-hour eating window,” he writes. He goes on to explain what it is, “what time windows you might want to choose for your fast, food groups to consider, and benefits and drawbacks of intermittent fasting.”

It’s Not About What You Eat, But When You Eat

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“Many diets focus on what to eat, but intermittent fasting is all about when you eat. With intermittent fasting, you only eat during a specific time. Research shows fasting for a certain number of hours each day or eating just one meal a couple days a week may have health benefits - for example, for losing weight and for better control of diabetes,” he says.

More Details About Intermittent Fasting

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“Intermittent fasting involves limiting your daily food intake to a certain window of time. Now, one of the most popular types of intermittent fasting is a diet that's called the 16 eight intermittent fasting diet,” he continues. “Essentially, this involves limiting your intake of food and drinks, which contain calories, to a set window of eight hours a day. Now, for the remaining 16 hours, you abstain from food and drink. However, you are still allowed to drink water and other non-calorie beverages, such as plain coffee or tea. Importantly, you can repeat this cycle as frequently as you like, from just once or twice a week to every day, and it will all depend on your personal preference as well as what fits in with your lifestyle.”

It’s Easy to Follow and Is Less Restrictive Than Other Diets

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“While other diets often set out strict draws, 16 eight, intermittent fasting is easy to follow, and it might provide measurable results with minimal disruption to your diet,” he notes. “It's generally considered less restrictive and more flexible than many other diets, and it works well with most lifestyles.”

RELATED: I’m 70 but Look 40 Thanks to These 7 At-Home Exercises

Choose a Time Window That Works for You

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It’s key to choose a time window that works for you. “You should begin by picking an eight-hour window and limiting your food intake to that time span. Now, this is obviously going to depend on your lifestyle, but some popular eight-hour time windows to eat are from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, as well as 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM,” he says. “Basically, what I'm trying to convey by this is that there is no one fixed way to do things. The best thing to do is that when you're starting out, try to experiment and pick the timeframe that best fits your schedule.” He also recommends setting a timer for the start and stop times of your feast period.

Eat Nutritious Whole Foods

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“Now we've discussed the time window. Let's just discuss some of the food and meal plans now to maximize the potential health benefits of any diet,” he continues. “It's important to stick to nutritious whole foods and beverages during your eating period. Filling up on nutrient-rich foods will basically help you round out your diet and support a healthy weight. Trying to balance each meal with a variety of whole foods can include things like fruits, such as apples, bananas, berries, oranges, pears, or tomatoes, and vegetables, so things like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cucumbers, and leafy greens. Things like spinach and kale, as well as whole grains, are really important.”

He also recommends barley, buckwheat, quinoa, rice, and oats, healthy fats like olive oil and avocados, and protein sources, including eggs, fish, meat, poultry, nuts, and seeds.

And Stick to Zero Calorie Drinks

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He also tackles the topic of beverages. “In terms of drinking, I would just encourage you to drink water and avoid any calorie beverages,” he says. “These are things like pops and sodas. I would just stay very clear of those.”

Avoid Ultra Processed Foods

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“It's important also to avoid ultra-processed foods, things like packaged snacks, deep fried items, sugary drinks, and most frozen meals,” he continues. “These foods are often full of bad sugars and preservatives, which are going to spike your blood sugars quickly, and they're going to make you feel more hungry. And ultra-processed foods have actually been linked with a whole host of negative health outcomes, so things like type two diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and even dementia.”

RELATED: I Lost 90 Pounds in 3 Years Without Giving Up My Favorite Foods

Here Are the Potential Benefits

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He goes on to discuss the potential benefits of this diet. “The first potential benefit of restricting your eating window to a few hours a day is that you can cut your calorie intake over the course of the day, which may, in turn, contribute to weight loss. For example, one review of the scientific literature on intermittent fasting found that it's in 11 of the 13 studies on intermittent fasting. It was reported there was statistically significant weight loss in participants,” he says. Another benefit? Improving blood sugar.

“Intermittent fasting has been shown to reduce fasting insulin and blood sugar levels, potentially decreasing your risk of diabetes. Now, if you've got type two diabetes, intermittent fasting might be an effective intervention, but you should speak to your own doctor before embarking on this diet to see if it will work for you.”

Here Are the Potential Drawbacks

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He also discusses potential drawbacks. “The first thing to state is that it's important that if you decide to embark on this type of fasting, that you do it gradually and you consider stopping or consulting your doctor if you've got any concerns or you experience any negative symptoms,” he says. “One of the other downsides is the potential for overeating as well as potential weight gain. That's because restricting your intake to just eight hours a day may cause some people to eat more than usual during the eating periods in an attempt to make up for the hours spent fasting. Now, this may lead to weight gain, digestive problems, and unhealthy eating habits.”

He adds that some people experience short-term physical symptoms. “These include things like hunger, weakness, and fatigue, although these often subside once you get into a routine,” he says.

Fasting Doesn’t Necessarily Lead to Weight Loss

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“Now, interestingly, current research doesn't suggest that intermittent fasting leads to any more weight loss than typical diets that recommend overall calorie restriction. Both eating patterns may lead to moderate weight loss. Now, suppose weight loss is your primary goal. In that case, you might prefer to lower your calorie intake instead of fasting intermittently to prevent the overeating that can occur when restricting intake to certain time windows,” he says.

RELATED: I Wore a 25-Pound Vest for a Year and These 7 Things Happened

Here Are His Top Tips

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He goes on to reveal his top intermittent fasting tips. “If you do want to start this, you should start with just one to two days a week and see if it works for you,” he says. “You should try different timings to see which fits your lifestyle. If you've got a long-term health condition, you should first consult your doctors to discuss whether or not this is the right type of dieting for you. This is important if you're taking any medications if you've got diabetes, low blood pressure, or a history of disordered eating. It's also important not to view 16-8 intermittent fasting as a substitute for eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods. And similarly, intermittent fasting is discouraged if you're trying to conceive your pregnant or your breastfeeding.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Fitness & Workouts

10 Drinks That Will Ward Off Hunger Without Breaking Your Fast, and 6 You Should Avoid

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Are you on a keto diet but aren’t sure what you can drink while you are fasting? Eric Berg, DC, is a doctor and chiropractor who specializes in keto and intermittent fasting. He regularly shares videos on how to lose weight with time-restricted eating and has amassed a whopping 12.1 million YouTube subscribers. In a viral video, he discusses “the non-acceptable and acceptable liquids during intermittent fasting,” which he calls a “very important topic because so many people make mistakes when they're fasting.”

What Is a “True” Fast

“A true fast is really not eating anything except drinking water,” he says. “The problem with that is the majority of the population has a lot less stored nutrients than we had even 20 years ago. So you're going to experience all sorts of side effects and problems if you don't enhance your fasting with certain nutrients.”

What Happens When You Break a Fast

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“The benefits of fasting can get nullified with anything that spikes insulin. So the whole goal of doing fasting is to lower your insulin as low as possible,” he says. “When you consume pure fat, okay, you don't trigger insulin. When you consume fiber, which is a carbohydrate, you're not going to trigger insulin. Your body is going to go after that fat as its primary calories before it taps into your own body fat. So even though you're in ketosis, the ketones are coming from the dietary fat, not your own fat. This is why you may not be losing weight,” he says. However, if you consume pure fat during a fast, “it's not gonna increase insulin, it's not gonna bump you outta ketosis, but it's just gonna stop your weight loss.”

Water

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Number one, water. “Of course, there's good water, and there's bad water. Tap water is just filled with chemicals. So if you need to get a filter, get one and start using it because there are plastics, there are chemicals, there are hormones in the water supply, not to mention the toxic chemicals that they use to kill off germs and things in the city water. So just get a filter,” he suggests. “Spring water is the best you can do. Bottled water. Pellegrino is a bit expensive, but it has all the minerals, and it's naturally carbonated.

RELATED:I Lost Over 50 Pounds and This Is the Only Tip You Need to Do the Same

Apple Cider Vinegar

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You can also add apple cider vinegar to water. “ACV vinegar will greatly help your blood sugars. It's an acid so it's going to help your digestion. So you're gonna just digest better. And even though you drink it when you're not eating, it's still gonna help your digestion,” he says. He recommends adding a tablespoon in water a few times a day.

Lemon Juice

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Next up, lemon juice. “Lemon juice has citrates, which help inhibit oxalates. So it decreases the risk of getting a kidney stone. Lemon juice does have vitamin C, but only if it's a fresh lemon. If it's in a lemon concentrate, it's pasteurized. It's not going to have pretty much any vitamin C at all. So the goal is not to drink it for vitamin C. The goal is to drink it to help prevent kidney stones by inhibiting oxalates. And it's also good for other things too. It helps the liver, it helps the gallbladder and it also has certain phytonutrients that help in other ways.”

Diet Sodas

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Diet sodas are a “big fat no,” he says. “The artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame, affects your microbiome and that can indirectly affect your insulin levels and create insulin resistance and that can actually cause you to put on weight.”

Diet Sodas Made with Stevia

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However, diet sodas made with stevia, “that's a whole different story. Totally fine,” he says. Monk fruit is another good sweetener as well.

RELATED:3 Reasons Why You Should Eat Bananas Every Day to Burn Fat

Black Coffee

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Next up, coffee. “If you're just doing black coffee, it's not going to hurt you at all. So that would be a yes on the list. The only point I'm gonna bring up is caffeine. If you're drinking a lot of coffee throughout the day, you're gonna be consuming a lot of caffeine and that can inhibit your sleep cycles, which will then increase cortisol and that will slow down your weight loss. So I would recommend only doing one cup in the morning if possible. That's what I do. And my cup is actually pretty small. Of course the coffee is strong, but it's a very small cup. I would definitely spend a little bit more money and get organic because out of all the things that are sprayed with pesticides, coffee beans are at the top of the list.

Bulletproof Coffee

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Next up is Bulletproof coffee, which has butter or MCT oil added. “This brings up the point that I talked about in the beginning: It's not going to bump you out of ketosis; it's going to bump you out of losing weight if you have a slow metabolism,” he says. “But I do recommend Bulletproof Coffee in the very beginning while you start this program because it's gonna allow you to do longer fasting and it has other benefits for your cognitive ability because MCT oil and even butter will help you generate ketones for your brain and it's going to help you with memory and focus and concentration.

Coffee with Half-and-Half or Cream

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“Now what about half and half versus cream?” he asks. “Half and half is half milk and half cream. And then you have whole cream or whipping cream. Now half and half has maybe 1.6 grams of carbs. So I mean, it's pretty small, but it has some in two tablespoons, whereas whole cream has zero carbs. So I would always recommend doing the whole cream in your coffee versus the half and half,” he says.

Coffee with Non-Dairy Creamer

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Next up, coffee with non-dairy creamers. “Those things are filled with chemicals, so I would avoid those at all costs,” he says.

Tea

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Next, tea. “Green tea is very good to consume when you're fasting. There are certain phytonutrients in tea, even if you heat the tea that will help your metabolism, that will speed things up, that have antioxidant properties that have other phytonutrients that fight cancer, that have phytonutrients that support blood sugars, and the list goes on and on and on. I highly recommend consuming some type of herbal tea. Green tea is one of them. There's many others on a keto plan, but just one point about that is that these teas sometimes have caffeine. So take that in consideration because that can start affecting your sleep, especially if you're sensitive.”

RELATED:I'm a Nutritionist and This Is the One Habit Worth Adopting to Transform Your Body

Coconut Water

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Next, coconut water, which has between 11 to 16 grams of sugar, he points out. “So you definitely want to avoid coconut water. Some people drink it for hydration thinking it's a great electrolyte drink, but it comes with a package, it comes with a lot of sugar. And anytime you eat sugar or when you're fasting, you nullify your results for a good amount of time.

Coconut Milk

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“Coconut milk also has some carbs, but it really depends on the type of coconut milk,” he says. “The coconut milk from brand name Silk actually has one gram of carbs, so that may be okay. So coconut water is a no, coconut milk could be a maybe.”

Pre-Workout Powder

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The next drink is “pre-workout powders that you would put in your drink, like branch chain amino acids,” he said. “Not good at all.” Why? “This protein is not a complete protein, it is just amino acids.” You don't want them while you're fasting, as they will “definitely bump you out of ketosis,” he says. “It will bump you out of fat burning.”

Alcohol

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What about alcohol? “You've probably heard of types of alcohol that are so-called keto friendly. They have no carbs in them. Here's the problem. The alcohol itself really toxifies your liver, which is gonna affect your fasting results and your ability to lose weight and your autophagy. It's not a good idea in any amounts,” he says.

Milk

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Is milk keto friendly? “That would be a big fat, no, because one cup has 12 grams of carbs and zero fiber,” he says.

RELATED: This Plan Is How to Lose 5 Percent Body Fat In 2 Weeks

Electrolytes

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Another drink he approves of? Electrolytes, “if it doesn't have any added sugar, if it's sweetened with stevia or monk fruit, totally fine,” he says. “Electrolytes are essential when you're fasting. So are other nutrients like B vitamins and vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids because the last thing you want to have happen is run out of these nutrients when you're fasting and get dizzy or faint or feel weak.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Nutrition & Diet

Lose 20 Pounds in 60 Days with Intermittent Fasting

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Ferozan Mast
By Ferozan MastSep 08, 2024
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Ferozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer with a passion for making science and research-backed information accessible to a general audience.
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If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Losing 20 pounds in 60 days can be achieved, depending on your starting weight—and intermittent fasting could be a very useful tool to help make that happen. “Fasting changes where your body gets its energy. Typically, your energy comes from sugar. If you eat constantly while awake and don’t exercise, your body simply runs on the calories you consume,” says UCLA Health. “If you don’t use all the sugar you take in during the day, your body stores it as fat. When you go hours without eating, your body eventually runs out of stored sugar to use. Instead, it begins to burn fat to produce energy.” Here’s how intermittent fasting can help with weight loss and overall health.

1. Pick a Fasting Window

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Your fasting window is how long you fast for, and your eating window is the time allotted for meals. “There are lots of options to choose from,” Mary Hyer, RD, LDN, CCRP, tells Mass General Brigham. “But in the scientific world, you have to go at least 12 hours for it to be considered a fast. You still have to make sure you’re picking healthy foods. But intermittent fasting is one tool that can kickstart a healthy lifestyle change.”

2. Ease Into It

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You might find it easier to ease into fasting by changing some other behaviors first. “If fasting sounds scary, try to avoid snacking between meals and especially late-night snacking,” Hyer says. “That can be an easy way to give yourself time for your blood sugar to recover between meals.”

3. What Can I Drink?

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Try not to take in any calories during your fasting period. “While there are no hard-and-fast rules regarding what you can consume during your unrestricted eating periods, experts agree that maintaining a healthy, well-rounded diet produces the best results,” says UCLA Health. “During fasting times, limit yourself to water and zero-calorie drinks.”

4. Eating Less

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The shorter your eating window, the less you are likely to eat. “If you maintain your regular diet and then limit the time window during which you eat, it is likely that you will eat a few hundred fewer calories per day,” Richard Joseph, MD, tells Harvard Health. “If this is sustainable as a lifestyle, it could add up to modest weight loss (3% to 8% on average, based on current data) that can produce beneficial improvements in cardiometabolic markers such as blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and average blood sugar.”

5. Stay Active

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You can lose lean muscle as well as fat with intermittent fasting, so make sure to support muscle growth through exercise. “Given the importance of lean muscle mass for revving your metabolic rate, regulating your blood sugar, and keeping you physically able overall, pairing resistance training with an intermittent fasting protocol is strongly advised,” Richard Joseph, MD, tells Harvard Health.

RELATED: I Lost 120 Pounds in a Year by Walking. Here's How Many Steps You Need to Do to Lose.

6. No Snacking

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Intermittent fasting can prevent mindless snacking, which causes weight gain. “Take a moment to think about your eating habits,” Melinda Gong, RD CDCES CSOWM, tells UC Davis Health. “If you notice that you tend to snack a lot at night, intermittent fasting could give you a cut-off time and help you eat less. If you notice your last meal of the day is late in the evening, maybe you can eat earlier to allow your body to start fasting at that time.”

7. Health Benefits

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Intermittent fasting has benefits beyond weight loss. “Losing weight and being physically active help lower your risk of obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, sleep apnea and some types of cancer,” Manpreet Mundi, MD, tells the Mayo Clinic. “For these diseases, intermittent fasting seems to be about as beneficial as any other type of diet that reduces overall calories.”

8. Long-Term Weight Loss

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A study from the University of Illinois Chicago shows intermittent fasting can lead to long-term weight loss. “That is pretty exciting,” Courtney Peterson, a professor of nutrition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, tells NPR. “This study has the most compelling results suggesting that people can stick with it, that it's not a fad diet in the sense that people can do it for three months and they fall off the wagon for a year.”

RELATED: 10 Simple Ways To Lose Weight for Women Over 50

9. Portion Control and Calories

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Remember, portion control and calories still count for weight loss with intermittent fasting. “During your eating window, focus on eating a healthy diet and maintaining portion control. Don’t eat too many calories and avoid junk food and fast food,” says Family Doctor. “While you don’t need to eat anything in particular, you do need to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need. Some people choose to use the Mediterranean diet as a guideline for what to eat. This plan focuses on fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and fish. You can also choose lean proteins and healthy fats.”

10. Stay the Course!

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Don’t be discouraged by unpleasant symptoms as your body adjusts to the new way of eating. “It may take 2 to 4 weeks for your body to get used to eating on an intermittent fasting schedule. During those first few weeks, you may have headaches and feel hungry, grouchy, or tired,” says Family Doctor. “Know you may feel this way before you start and make a plan to push through these feelings. After a few weeks, your body will get used to this eating pattern and those symptoms should go away. In the end, many people say that feel better following an intermittent fasting lifestyle.”

11. Lower Bad Cholesterol

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Experts say intermittent fasting can positively impact cholesterol and some cancers. “If you add exercise to the mix, it’s a great combination for not only weight loss but also improved health benefits,” says Family Doctor. “Intermittent fasting may help people who have cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and some cancers. Intermittent fasting may also help lower your bad cholesterol and improve symptoms of arthritis.”

RELATED: 20 Powerful Methods to Achieve Your Best Body Ever

12. Who Shouldn’t Fast?

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Always talk to your doctor before starting any drastic dietary change. “Intermittent fasting is safe for many people, but it's not for everyone,” Dr. Mundi says. “Skipping meals may not be the best way to manage your weight if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. If you have kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux, diabetes, or other medical problems, talk with your doctor before starting intermittent fasting.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Nutrition & Diet

I Lost 50 Pounds at 50 by Following These Easy Diet Rules

Denise Kirtley fiftyfitnessjourney
Coach Lost 50 Pounds at 50 by Eating These 6 High-Protein Meals
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Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneApr 16, 2025
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Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

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Are you struggling to lose weight in your 50s? You may need to try a more flexible dietary approach. Denise Kirtley is a 54-year-old transformation coach who looks half her age after rehabbing her approach to diet and fitness shortly after turning 50. In a new social media post, she reveals the dietary changes she made that enabled her to get her fittest figure ever. “I lost 50 pounds in my 50s and have kept it off for almost 4 years now. Here’s what I ate last year to maintain my weight loss,” she writes in the post.

She Has “Cracked the Code”

Here’s the thing…I love food. I look forward to my meals. Over the past four and a half years, I feel like I have finally cracked the code on how to eat in a way that makes me feel satisfied while fueling my workouts so I can become stronger. And most importantly…without feeling deprived.

Her Meals Are Protein Focused

“I have learned to make balanced meals that work for me. All of my meals have approximately 25g to 35g of protein plus a good amount of healthy carbs for energy and the right amount of fat to maintain my goals,” she says.

Her Meals Are “Balanced” and Even Include Processed Foods

“Whenever I post my meals…there’s always a few that criticize any processed food, any sugar, anything that we are told are ‘bad’ foods. I have learned that for me, it’s really about balance. I don’t look at foods as good or bad,” she says.

The “All Or Nothing” Mindset Backfires

“And I have learned long ago that when I fall into a perfectionist, all or nothing mindset…it backfires.

As a former binger and emotional eater, that mindset doesn’t serve me,” she continues.

She Aims for 80/20

“So, I aim for 80% of my diet to be whole natural foods…I eat lots of lean meats, fish, fruits, veggies and grains. I have developed a love for these foods as a result of loving how eating them makes me feel. But I also allow flexibility with 20% of my diet,” she says.

She Even Eats Bread, Chocolate, Pasta, and Protein Bars

This “includes bread (gasp!). I love bread! And chocolate! (Bigger gasp!) I have had a bit of chocolate every day for the past 4.5 years! Every.Single.Day. And the occasional protein bar, bit of pasta, protein powder, veggie meats, etc, etc,” she says. “On vacation or special occasions I have dessert! And even on a very rare occasion, a glass of champagne (few times per year)”

Flexible Eating Makes Her Diet Sustainable

“My working these more flexible foods into my macros has made this a really sustainable and enjoyable way of life for me. If you’re looking for someone that has given up absolutely everything processed or refined, that’s not me. I admire the people I see on here that say they only eat whole foods 100% of the time,” she says.

Rigidity Doesn’t Work for Her

“But as a food lover and someone who struggled with weight ups and downs most of my adult life, it’s all about balance. I know that a life with rigidity around food choices and a future of only chicken and broccoli doesn’t work for me,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Fitness & Workouts

Walking Over 50? This Simple 30-Minute Routine Targets Stubborn Fat

Pahla Bowers Pahla B
I Lost Weight After 50 With These Simple Changes
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Christopher Roback
By Christopher RobackApr 16, 2025
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Christopher Roback is a health and wellness writer and exclusive contributor to Body Network.
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This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

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We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Middle age brings many changes to our bodies, especially during menopause, when weight seems to stick no matter what we try. Fitness coachPahla Bowers has developed a simple yet effective walking workout specifically designed for women over 50 that combines low-impact movements to target stubborn fat without stressing your joints. This 30-minute routine alternates between walking intervals and targeted exercises that can be done right in your living room, making it perfect for busy days when you need an effective workout without complicated equipment.

The 5-0 Method Makes Weight Loss Simple

"Every single day we do five things that make you say, oh, I had no idea it could be so simple to lose weight at our age," explains Pahla as she introduces her 5-0 method in her post. This approach focuses on five daily habits: eating the right number of calories (not necessarily fewer), drinking enough water (half your body weight in pounds in fluid ounces), maintaining consistent sleep patterns, exercising moderately, and managing your mindset. This combination creates a sustainable path to fat loss that works especially well for menopausal bodies.

One Minute Walking, 30 Seconds Exercise

The workout follows a simple but effective pattern: one minute of walking alternated with 30-second cardio exercises. "Today's workout was really for me to be able to just really enjoy moving my body and not having to think too hard," Pahla shares. You can walk anywhere—around your living room, up and down hallways, or even take the routine outside. What makes this approach so effective is the continuous movement that keeps your heart rate in a fat-burning zone without overtaxing your system.

Your Mindset Is Your Secret Weight Loss Weapon

Perhaps surprisingly, Pahla ranks mindset as the most important factor for weight loss success. "If you truly do not believe you can lose weight, think that you are not losing weight... mindset's number one," she emphasizes during the workout. The routine incorporates a powerful mantra—"I am always on track"—to help shift your perspective about your progress. This positive approach reduces stress hormones that can sabotage weight loss efforts, particularly during menopause when hormonal balance is already disrupted.

Balance Training Burns Fat And Protects Your Future

Throughout the 30-minute routine, many exercises like "speed skaters" strengthen your outer thighs while improving balance. "That is the thing that can keep you from falling over when we're doing lateral moves like this, strengthening your inner and outer thighs," Pahla points out. This focus on balance isn't just about current fitness—it's targeting the areas where fat often accumulates after 50 while simultaneously protecting against falls. "Most older adults actually fall from some kind of a lateral motion," she explains, making these side-to-side movements crucial for long-term independence.

Low-Impact Doesn't Mean Low Results

Just because this workout avoids jumping doesn't mean it's not effective for fat loss. "Just because we are not jumping doesn't mean your heart rate doesn't have some variability here," Pahla reminds participants during the "swimming frogs" exercise. The workout strategically incorporates arm movements that elevate your heart rate while keeping the routine gentle on aging joints. This approach allows you to burn stubborn fat without adding stress to your knees, hips, or back—a common concern for women over 50.

What Really Drives Fat Loss After 50

During the walking intervals, Pahla reveals an important truth about exercise and fat loss. "Exercise is fantastic for your health. It's beautiful for your health. Very, very, very good for you. Does not drive weight loss," she explains. While movement is essential for overall wellness, particularly heart health, nutrition and mindset play bigger roles in shedding pounds. Understanding this helps you approach exercise with the right expectations and reduce frustration when the scale doesn't immediately respond to your efforts.

Water And Sleep: The Unsung Heroes Of Fat Loss

According to Pahla, water and sleep play crucial roles in your body's ability to burn fat. "They don't necessarily speed up weight loss when I'm doing them right, but they definitely slow them down if I'm not hitting my targets," she shares. The 5-0 method recommends drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily and maintaining consistent sleep patterns. These simple habits support your hormone regulation and metabolism, creating an environment where your body can more efficiently release stored fat.

Make This Workout Work For Your Body

Throughout the 30-minute routine, Pahla emphasizes personalizing the workout to your fitness level. "You, my friends, can always make the workout work for you," she encourages while demonstrating modifications. This might mean slowing down certain movements or reducing range of motion as needed. She warns against pushing too hard just because it feels good in the moment, noting that soreness, fatigue, or plateaued weight loss might indicate your workout isn't truly working for your unique body.

Every Movement Is Moving You Forward

The workout includes fun exercises with names like "clackers," "ding-dongs," and "chicken wing high knees" that make the 30 minutes fly by. "Your track might not look anything like you thought it was going to or like you wish it would, but it is your beautiful, unique, personal track," Pahla reflects during the final exercises. This perspective helps release the pressure of comparing your progress to others. By acknowledging that your journey is uniquely yours—with all its detours and unexpected turns—you can approach fat loss with greater patience.

Cool Down With Forward Thinking

As the workout winds down with gentle stretches, Pahla reinforces the forward-looking mindset that supports long-term success. "You are always on track for a glorious time ahead of you. Independence, being your healthy weight, feeling amazing," she says. Even during the cool-down, the simple arm circles and side steps continue the balance training, reinforcing that every movement contributes to your fat-burning goals. This 30-minute routine isn't just about today's calories—it's building habits that support lasting weight loss.

Start Your Fat Loss Journey Today

This 30-minute walking workout is part of a larger series designed specifically for women over 50, but you can begin with just this single routine. Performing moderate exercise like this consistently delivers better results than occasional intense sessions that leave you too sore to continue. Start where you are, move at a pace that feels sustainable, and remember that being "on track" means showing up for yourself daily. As Pahla says at the end of the workout, "Not only are you always on track, but you always do such a great job." And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Nutrition & Diet

7 Diet Hacks for Getting “Toned and Lean” in Your 40s

Julie Clouse
Fitness Expert Says Fit Women in Their 40s Have These 6 Things in Common
Copyright julieclouse_/Instagram
Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneApr 16, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
See Full Bio
✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you struggling to shape up in your forties? Julie Clouse is a social media influencer and fitness and macros expert who tries to “inspire others to be the best version of themselves.” In a new social media post she unveils her healthy habits for losing weight after 40. In a new post, she reveals a few things that helped her get fit in perimenopause. “Eating habits that helped me get toned and lean in my 40s,” she writes, revealing 7 nutritional habits that helped her achieve her enviable body.

She Increased Her Protein Intake

The first thing she did? Increased her protein intake. “Increasing my protein intake to eat my body weight in grams of protein, has not only improved muscle recovery, but also made me feel more satiated, leading to positive changes in my body composition,” she writes.

She Ate 3 to 4 Large Meals a Day

Eating 3-to 4 large meals a day was also game-changing. “Instead of skipping breakfast or lunch and later binge eating snacks and being behind on protein goals, I now eat larger meals, which helps me avoid excessive snacking and overeating,” she says.

She Ate 80% Whole Foods

“Transitioning to a diet of 80% whole foods (veggies, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains) from one that was not protein focused and a lot of processed foods, has left me feeling energized, with clearer skin, and significantly better overall,” she says.

She Ate 20% of Foods That Fulfilled Her Cravings

She allotted the remaining 20 percent to foods that fulfilled her cravings. “Allowing myself to enjoy 20% indulgent foods like sweets and pizza prevents binging since I’m not completely depriving myself. Do not deprive or call foods off limits, just make them fit in your diet in moderation. Life is so much better with some indulgence!” she says.

She Ate Similar Meals

She also ate consistent and similar meals daily. “Preparing simple, enjoyable meals on repeat saves time and reduces overwhelm, especially if you’re counting macros,” she say

She Fueled Her Body Properly

Fueling her body properly was another game-changer. “For years, I thought I needed to eat less to look toned. But staying in a constant diet state kept me from seeing results. Once I focused on eating enough to support muscle growth, my body composition finally changed. You can’t build a strong, lean body if you’re always under-fueling!” she said.

She Took Creatine Daily

Taking creatine daily was the final helpful habit. “One of the simplest and most effective supplements! 5g of creatine daily helps with muscle strength, recovery, and overall body composition. It also supports energy levels during workouts, making it easier to push harder and build lean muscle,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

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