The ‘Eight Hour Diet’: What is it and is it actually healthy?

We’ve all heard of the 5:2 diet, but have you come across the 16:8 diet?

There’s a new fad when it comes to trending diets and this time it’s all to do with intermittent fasting. A new diet called the 16:8 is growing in popularity with the likes of Nicole Kidman, Miranda Kerr and Hugh Jackson all said to be fans. But what is it and is it like so many of these other fad diets that are actually causing more harm than good? Well, the concept is very similar to that of the 5:2 diet and requires those willing to stick to an eight-hour diet, recommending eating from 10am until 6pm and then fasting until the next morning at 10am – hence the 16 hour fast. There is no set amount of calories suggested, however, they recommend good quality lean meats and lots and lots of eggs. It suggests people eat breakfast at 10am, lunch at 2pm and dinner at 6pm, which doesn’t sound too extreme in comparison to many other bizarre diet plans. And according to Australian holistic nutritionist and wellness guru, Lee Holmes, it isn’t all that different to the eating patterns of many as it is.

“You’ve been following one of the hottest diets around at the moment and you didn’t even know it,” she told FEMAIL. “If you delay your overnight fasting time for just a few more hours, you can easily fit right into the very trendy and extremely sustainable ‘Eight Hour Diet’. “By practising fasting, you allow your body and gut time to digest, real and heal. Fasting actually lightens the load on the guy, allowing it to work at its optimum. It also improves the cleansing process.”

However, it’s not all great news as Lee says there are downsides.

“It doesn’t come easily at first. We live in a world obsessed with snacks and overindulgence so, it can be hard to go against the grain.”

The nutritionist also warns that fasting can have some serious effects on our hormones.

“It can send a signal to the body that it’s experiencing famine and triggers the body to shut down fertility. "But if you satisfy your body with quality saturated fats throughout the day, like eggs and good fats (which are only around 40 calories for a teaspoon), the body will know it’s in a safe environment and will continue with proper hormone synthesis."

Lee says the only people she wouldn't recommend trying the diet are those currently suffering with an eating disorder.