Intermittent Fasting for Women in Menopause

Metabolic Switching

When properly employed, Intermittent Fasting ignites a process called “metabolic switching.” Regular eating supplies a steady flow of glucose to be utilized as energy. When we take longer breaks between eating, the glucose supply is drained, insulin levels go down, and the body is forced to dip into fat stores for fuel, so we start to burn body fat.

The fasting state is best supported by good hydration while being mindful not to introduce sneaky liquid calories as one often does when making additions to coffee or tea, such as milk, cream, or sweeteners. You are best served to stick to black coffee, herbal tea, or water spiked infusions using a splash of citrus fruits like lemon or pulverizing herbs-like mint for flavor and a boost of antioxidants. It is also important to realize that zero-calorie sweeteners can still trigger an insulin response and are disruptive to the fasting state and the gut and endocrine system. Don’t derail yourself for the quick-hit high of dopamine they provide. 

Start making mindful, incremental changes to stretch the hours between eating by upping your hydration. Researching plants the seed, but habits take time and encouragement to grow. If new practices, like Intermittent Fasting, are tended to with care through coaching and practice, they can take root, and you, in turn, can benefit from them and flourish. 

Intermittent Fasting Tips for Women

Work your way up to the Intermittent Fasting method preferred by most coaches and practitioners of The Galveston Diet, which is 16:8. That means a 16-hour fasting window of zero caloric intake and an 8-hour window for eating.

Depending on your schedule and blood sugar needs, you might opt for a variation on the hours from anywhere between 15:9 to 20:4. To truly be considered Intermittent Fasting, you must go for at least 15 hours without caloric input. Each hour less than that diminishes the health benefits and is more akin to the typical break with sleeping. 

• Don’t worry about being perfect; make it a practice, and know it gets easier over time. 
• The fasting state is best supported by good hydration, so focus on increasing your water intake.
• Be mindful not to introduce sneaky liquid calories as one often does when making additions to coffee or tea, such as milk, cream, or sweeteners.
• For alternatives to water, stick to zero-calorie drinks like black coffee, herbal tea, or spiked water infusions using a splash of citrus fruits like lemon or pulverizing herbs-like mint for flavor and a boost of antioxidants.
• It is also important to realize that zero-calorie sweeteners can still trigger an insulin response and are disruptive to the fasting state and the gut and endocrine system. Don’t derail yourself for the quick-hit high of dopamine they provide.
• Ease into breaking your fast by choosing nutritious options. 

Intermittent Fasting & The Galveston Diet

Intermittent fasting is a vital component of The Galveston Diet – and studies prove that you are much more likely to be successful in your endeavor if you understand the science. We encourage you to start gradually, do not be afraid of failure, and continue to make choices that promote your health and wellbeing.  We support scale victories as well as non-scale achievements, and we hope to celebrate yours!