Should I do intermittent fasting if I have T1D?
What's the deal with intermittent fasting?
What is it? IF is defined as a timeframe of not eating. The 5:2 (‘normal’ eating for 5 days + restricting calories for 2 days out of every week) or only eating within a timeframe (i.e. midday + 6pm - also called time-restricted feeding).
Some people adopt IF to lose weight and this is where most research is centred. Weight loss occurs due to the restricted eating window meaning you eat less overall RATHER than IF being some sort of miracle wonder-cure. So this is about calorie deficit, whether you're fasting or not.
Some T1Ds use fasting to boost insulin sensitivity and manage BG levels. Most research has been done with T2D populations so must be treated with caution, though the mechanism of insulin resistance/sensitivity is similar in both types of diabetes.
I'm noticing a few IF beliefs circling around that I want to address:
1) Firstly, IF doesn't need to be as extreme as the 5:2. Having your last meal at 8pm and breakfast at 8am the next morning gives your body a 12-hour fast without really even trying AND the benefits seem to be the same - bingo!
2) Just because someone tells you how they do it, doesn't mean it's right for you. We're all bioindividuals and it's important to speak to a health care professional before you start.
3) Eating 3 square meals a day and no snacking in between can be beneficial. The 2-3 hour gap gives your digestion time to carry out essential maintenance + repair. You don't need to do a water fast to see these benefits.
⛔️ IF is not advisable for people experiencing chronic fatigue or adrenal challenges (IF is too much of a stressor on the body), nor for anyone prone to disordered eating, a history of disordered eating or with an active eating disorder.