There has been a tradition of fasting for centuries for religious, cultural, and health reasons, so it should come as no surprise that it has become a popular weight-loss method. The intermittent fast involves abstaining from food at certain times during the day. Several variations of this diet include the 16:8 diet, the 5:2 diet, and the Warrior Diet.
A former member of the Israeli Special Forces, Ori Hofmekler, originally devised the Warrior Diet, a more extreme form of IF. A diet consists of small, “underfeeding” meals of dairy, eggs, fruits, and vegetables for 20 hours per day and four hours of “overfeeding.” He wrote a book about the Warrior Diet and its benefits.
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It seems pretty restrictive. It may be safe or healthy for weight loss. Find out what nutrition experts think about the Warrior Diet and everything you need to know.
What Is The Warrior Diet?
Since its creation and coining, the diet has evolved from its original format. Totoro says the Warrior Diet now involves a 20-hour food fast, a four-hour fueling window, and various exercise requirements. The Warrior Diet requires you to fast for most of the day, which is more challenging than fasting overnight or for a short period, as the 16:8 diet does. In addition, 20:4 fasting is sometimes referred to as a diet.
Warrior Diet: What To Eat And What To Avoid?
Totoro says the original Warrior Diet called for small, low-carb meals of eggs, dairy, nuts, and fruits and vegetables throughout the day. The underfeeding period at night was followed by overfeeding with high fat, protein, and whole grains.
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Is The Warrior Diet Effective?
There is no scientific evidence to support the Warrior Diet specifically as a way to lose weight, but any IF regimen has been shown to help people lose weight. Totoro says this diet can result in weight loss over time since many people consume fewer calories than average by only eating during a short window. People may be unable to sustain the diet because it is so extreme.