Intermittent Fasting and the Instant Pot

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” 

I have been struggling these past two weeks ( and if I am honest with myself, for a long time) with sugar cravings....around 9.00 PM in the night...the hankering for something sweet... a tub of Rocky Road, half a bear claw, a bowl of kheer or even a big piece of dark chocolate hits me and I am not able to resist it. On Tuesday, I made the decision to try Intermittent Fasting (IF) (16:8)...fast 16 hours and eat 8 hours...this was mainly to nip this hankering for sugar this late in the night in the bud. I realized that 16:8 was too restricting and extreme for me in the first two days (as my husband said it I was hangry) and re-adjusted it to 12:12 which means fast 12 hours and eat 12 hours which has been working really well for me.

If you are wondering isn't IF too extreme and is it researched - the truth is I have been researching this trend for a year now. The reality is it works for some body types and definitely not others (eg. my husband and son need their AM breakfast while I have been skipping breakfast almost 15 years now) - so evaluate if this is something your body will benefit from!

Researched Benefits of IF

• When we fast our body initiates important cellular repair processes and changes hormone levels to make stored body fat more accessible
• Helps lose weight and body fat  (not so interested in losing weight but yes for Body Fat)
• Reduces the Risk for Type 2 Diabetics
• Reduces Oxidative Stress and inflammation of the body
• Improves Heart Health
• May help prevent some kinds of cancer
• Good for your brain
• May help prevent Alzheimer's
• May extend lifespan & help live longer

I do want to emphasize that the  main reason I started with IF is  because it agrees with my body habits and it's a test of my self-control to see if I can stop eating at 8.00 PM in the night till 8.00 AM in the morning (and then slowly increase the duration of my fasting if my body allows for it).

How is my Instant Pot helping me with my endeavor?

1. Clean Eating is made simple with the Instant Pot
2. I am able to cook multiple meals without much fuss in a short period of time 
3. Meal Planning is a breeze (see the dishes I made in less than 2 hrs on a Saturday morning - Rajma, Cauliflower Soup, Egg Curry)

Some of the Recipes I made this week  (click on the name for links to the recipe)

Sambar

Egg Curry

Rajma/Channa Masala

Cauliflower Soup

Yes! I have lost about 2 lbs in the first week  (but that wasn't the goal) and feel like this is a plan I can follow long-term without any issues. I don't feel any drop in energy levels in the first five days, don't feel hungry and am able to continue my exercise routine without any issues.

How is your weekend turning out?