For a long while I have been taking an apple and banana with me while golfing as part of a plan for eating 5 a day. However since discovering the concept of intermittent fasting I’m wondering if it is better to exercise without eating and benefit from fat reduction albeit by not meeting the 5 a day target.
Hi,
Thanks for your question, please see the answer below and I hope this helps.
Paul
First of all, this is not an all-or-nothing principle when it comes to fasting. Fasting can either be done by reducing total calories (usually 800) for a certain number of days e.g. 5 / 2 or time-restricted where you simply do not eat e.g. 16hrs fasting / 8 hrs eating. Regardless of when you eat this should follow your normal dietary approach, so, therefore, you just eat your veg and fruit when not fasting or include them as part of your lower-calorie day. Another thing to consider is whether you can switch to lower-carb fruits such as berries which will also help to manage diabetes better.
As you pointed out, when you exercise you will burn your fat stores if you do not eat. The caveat to this is if you are on any diabetes medication that puts you at risk of having a hypo then you should carry a snack with you that will increase your blood glucose or glucose tablets and follow the advice of your health care team regarding the management of your medication/exercise and diet.
