Dimple Jangda Shares 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained immense popularity for its health benefits, but are you following it the right way? Many people unknowingly make common mistakes that can prevent them from experiencing the true benefits of fasting.

According to Dimple Jangda, an Ayurvedic health coach and digital creator, IF should align with your body type and the sun cycle to be truly effective. She highlights three critical mistakes that people often make while practising intermittent fasting and how to correct them for maximum benefits.

1. Intermittent Fasting Begins at Sunset

One of the biggest misconceptions about intermittent fasting is that you can eat a late-night meal and then begin fasting. This is incorrect!

The Right Way:

IF should begin at sunset, not after a heavy 10 or 12-course meal at midnight.
Eating late at night and then fasting disrupts the body's natural digestive cycle and can lead to weight gain, sluggishness, and poor gut health.
To sync with the body's natural rhythm, your last meal should be before sunset, ensuring digestion happens efficiently.

2. Breaking Your Fast Before Sunrise? Think Again!

Many people mistakenly break their fast before sunrise. Ayurveda recommends eating according to the sun's position, meaning:

The Right Way:

Break your fast after sunrise, allowing the body to naturally adjust. Follow this ideal meal structure:
Small breakfast after sunrise.
Biggest meal at noon (when digestion is strongest).
Light dinner before sunset to support better digestion and sleep.

Body Type Matters:

Intermittent fasting should vary based on your Prakriti (body type):

Vata Prakriti (Ectomorph): 12-hour IF
Pitta Prakriti (Mesomorph): 12-14 hours of IF
Kapha Prakriti (Endomorph): 14-16 hours, or even up to 18 hours of IF

3. Avoid Breaking Your Fast with Caffeine!

Avoid breaking intermittent fasting with coffee or tea. This can cause acid reflux, gut irritation, and disrupt energy levels.

The Right Way to Break Your Fast:

Always start with 200 ml of warm water, infused with any of the following:

Ghee (for gut healing and lubrication)
Lemon juice (to aid digestion and detoxification)
A pinch of cinnamon (to balance blood sugar levels)

Who Should Avoid Fasting?

Note: If you are on heavy medications, steroids, or antibiotics, avoid fasting unless advised by your doctor. A balanced Ayurvedic diet can help you achieve your health with your doctor's supervision.

Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGirTRPSLWm/

Intermittent fasting is powerful, but only when done the right way. By following Ayurvedic principles, aligning with the sun cycle, and tailoring fasting to your body type, you can unlock its full health benefits.