Diet Intermittent Fasting 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the most common intermittent fasting protocol?
- 5:2 method
- 16:8 method (Correct answer)
- 24-hour fast
- Alternate day fasting
Correct answer: 16:8 method
The 16:8 method — fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window — is the most popular and widely practiced intermittent fasting protocol.
Question 2: What does the '5:2' intermittent fasting protocol involve?
- 5 hours eating, 2 hours fasting daily
- Eating normally 5 days and restricting to ~500 calories on 2 non-consecutive days (Correct answer)
- Fasting 5 days and eating 2 days per week
- 5 meals on 2 days per week
Correct answer: Eating normally 5 days and restricting to ~500 calories on 2 non-consecutive days
The 5:2 protocol involves eating normally for 5 days per week and significantly reducing calorie intake to around 500–600 calories on 2 non-consecutive days.
Question 3: During fasting periods in intermittent fasting, which beverages are generally allowed?
- Juice and smoothies
- Milk and coffee with cream
- Water, plain tea, and black coffee (Correct answer)
- Diet soda and flavored water only
Correct answer: Water, plain tea, and black coffee
Water, plain unsweetened tea, and black coffee are generally allowed during fasting windows as they contain negligible calories and don't break the fast.
Question 4: What is 'autophagy' and how does it relate to intermittent fasting?
- A form of muscle anabolism triggered by eating
- A cellular self-cleaning process stimulated by fasting (Correct answer)
- A digestive enzyme released during eating
- A type of insulin response
Correct answer: A cellular self-cleaning process stimulated by fasting
Autophagy is the body's cellular self-cleaning process where damaged proteins and organelles are recycled, and it is stimulated by fasting periods.
Question 5: Intermittent fasting primarily influences weight loss through which main mechanism?
- Increasing basal metabolic rate significantly
- Enhancing nutrient absorption
- Reducing overall calorie intake by limiting eating windows (Correct answer)
- Blocking dietary fat absorption
Correct answer: Reducing overall calorie intake by limiting eating windows
Intermittent fasting mainly promotes weight loss by naturally reducing total calorie intake through a restricted eating window, not by metabolic magic.
Question 6: Which hormone's sensitivity improves with intermittent fasting?
- Cortisol
- Testosterone
- Insulin (Correct answer)
- Thyroid hormone
Correct answer: Insulin
Intermittent fasting improves insulin sensitivity, helping the body manage blood sugar more effectively and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
What is the most common intermittent fasting protocol?