In an unexpected revelation, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has shared his commitment to fasting once a week, considering it a crucial discipline for maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The prime minister abstains from eating anything for an impressive 36 hours at the beginning of each week, according to reports.
In an interview with the BBC’s health editor, Hugh Pym, Mr. Sunak explained his fasting routine, stating, “I tend to try and do some fasting at the beginning of every week as part of a general balanced lifestyle, but everyone will do this differently.” Additionally, he candidly admitted to having “a weakness for sugary things” but cleverly uses his fasting routine to indulge in sugary treats for the rest of the week.
Known for his fondness for Coca-Cola, Sunak has described himself as a “Coca-Cola addict” and prefers Mexican Coke due to its use of cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Alongside his fasting routine, the Chancellor is an advocate for exercise, regularly enjoying morning workouts on his Peloton bike.
Intermittent fasting, a dietary practice involving alternating periods of eating and fasting, comes in various patterns. One popular method is the 5:2 diet, where individuals consume a normal amount of food for five consecutive days and then restrict calories significantly for two days. Another approach, the 16/8 method, involves an eight-hour eating window followed by a 16-hour fasting period.
The potential benefits of intermittent fasting include weight loss, as the body utilizes stored body fat for energy during fasting periods. However, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy, balanced diet during non-fasting times. Clare Thornton-Wood, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, cautioned that simply compensating for fasting days by overeating on other days may not lead to overall weight loss.
Thornton-Wood emphasized the need for medical advice before attempting intermittent fasting, especially for individuals in specific groups, including children, teenagers, those with a history of eating disorders, diabetes patients, and individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have underlying health concerns.
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