Almost every other year in the 2010s, an author has come out of left field and claimed the annual bestsellers top spot at the expense of the perennial contenders. It is either a first-time novelist going straight to No 1 (Gail Honeyman with Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine last year, EL James with all her Fifty Shades trilogy in 2012), or a former mega-seller returning with a new take on their old saga (Jamess reverse-angle Grey in 2015, JK Rowling and her co-writers script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in 2016).

This happened again in 2019, but with a double twist: a non-fiction title with two debut authors. Pinch of Nom by Kay Featherstone and Kate Allinson, a pair of weight-watching food bloggers from the Wirral, was always a favourite for supremacy after it broke records in March for first-week sales. The spin-off Food Planner also makes the top 50, and the pair are bound to get a third title well up the chart by the end of the year as their follow-up, Pinch of Nom: Everyday Light, came out on 12 December.

Their success reflects a reconfiguration of the domestic sector, with a falling away of celebrity chefs recipe books (Jamie Olivers Veg is the sole survivor at No 9) and the rise of offerings centred on weight loss or fitness, including Michael Mosleys The Fast 800 (23) and titles just outside the chart by Joe Wicks and Tom Kerridge. Books about housework or home organisation are on the rise too, as shown by the remarkable sales for two books (5, 17) by Mrs Hinch Sophie Hinchcliffe promising to shine your sink and soothe your soul. Published a fortnight apart in the spring, Pinch of Nom and Hinch Yourself Happy both owe much to their authors social media presence Mrs Hinch has an eye-popping 2.9 million followers on Instagram.

Also mingling in the charts elite with the usual suspects Oliver, David Walliams, Lee Child, Jeff Kinney are representatives of another trend, the insider memoirs of people in stressful jobs: Adam Kay (6, 15) and Christie Watson (47) on hospital medicine, the Secret Barrister (25) on the law, Ant Middleton (19) on the army, and Peter Crouch (on the charts subs bench at 62) on football. Tellingly, the most popular examples of job lit outsold the top new celebrity memoirs Elton Johns Me (38), Billy Connollys Tall Tales (43) in a defeat of the famous by the non-famous that mirrors Pinch of Noms triumph in cookbooks.

The heftier, more scholarly end of the factual spectrum, by contrast, continued to flounder commercially. If Yuval Noah Hararis Sapiens (50) one of only two translated works in the list were not still hanging on five years after publication, Bill Brysons The Body (39) would be the lone standard bearer for the kind of non-fiction that wins prizes.

In fiction, meanwhile, a peculiar division is discernible in the top 50, whereby all the charts crime novels are by men an indication of the waning of the largely female-driven psychological thriller and, perhaps more surprisingly, childrens fiction (from Philip Pullman to Walliamss five titles to picture books) is a male preserve too. Conversely, no books classified as general and literary fiction are written by men, and the range of work by women is striking: Heather Morriss hugely popular historical novel (2), more BDSM sex from James (31), smart commercial fiction by Liane Moriarty, Jojo Moyes and Sophie Kinsella (7, 10, 40), Eleanor Oliphant still doing more than fine in paperback (14), and the award-winning literary novelists Sally Rooney, Kate Atkinson and Madeline Miller (13, 41, 49).

Plus, of course, the joint 2019 Booker winner Margaret Atwood, who scored with both the TV tie-in edition of The Handmaids Tale (37) and its victorious sequel. The Testaments (12) is the highest placed (adult) novel published this year and has quite possibly racked up the biggest sales ever by a winner in hardback, with 272,251 copies sold so far.

Among other reasons to be cheerful are the performances of writers who, like the chart-topping double act, were little known a year ago. These include self-styled grubby artist Charlie Mackesy, whose sleeper hit The Boy, The Mole, the Fox and the Horse (20) took the Waterstones prize, memoirist Raynor Winn (35) and Greta Thunberg (32). Six years after Malala Yousafzais I Am Malala, the Swedish teenager matched her in producing a bestseller as well as in addressing the UN.

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Bestselling books of 2019: cleaning guides and diet books hit big - The Guardian

Jessica Simpson is lookingsleek and slim on her family ski vacation in Aspen, and fans cant help butapplaud her weight loss efforts! The 39-year-old mother of three shared photosto her Instagram that showed her decked out in ski gear and enjoying a day onthe slopes. Even under the bulky coat and pants, it was obvious that Simpsonssilhouette looked severelyslimmed down compared to earlier this year.

Skiing with the kiddos today. This is far as Igot, Simpson wrote in the caption, which showed her beaming for the camera.Vacation, skiing, family bonding, and chic new look Simpson has somany reasons to be smiling!

This photo wasnt the first time Simpson showedoff her trimmer-looking figure. After the birth of daughter Birdie in March2019, Simpson got to work with her trainer to help shed the weight she hadgained during the pregnancy.

Celebrity trainer Haley Pasternak explained the unique challenges of shedding weight while being a mom. Once you become a mom, its not about you anymore, he toldUs Weekly. Youre living for something else, for someone else, and so you have to really be efficient with your time and you have to do things that are not quick fixes, [but] that are long fixes.

Thanks to hard work and the assistance of her trustedtrainer, Simpson was able to lose a whopping 100 pounds in just six monthsafter having the baby. How did she do it? A smart, efficient workout plan,better sleep, and a new way of eating that eliminated alcohol completely.

There are certainthings that are more conducive to weight loss and certain things that are goingto hurt you when losing weight, and alcohol is absolutely one of them, Pasternakconfirmed.

This seemingly simple fix worked wonders for Simpson. She revealed her slimmed-down look on Instagram. 6 months. 100 pounds down (Yes, I tipped the scales at 240, Simpson shared on social media. My first trip away from #BIRDIEMAE and emotional for many reasons, but so proud to feel like myself again. Even when it felt impossible, I chose to work harder.

Even though Simpson lost a massive amount of weight, she didnt accomplish her goals by starving herself or insane amounts of exercise. Instead, Simpson made practical choices and stuck to her regimen for the entire time.

Besides the strict alcohol avoidance, Simpsonadhered to Pasternaks Body Reset Diet, which recommends three meals with twosnacks daily. Those food options included protein, fiber, and healthy fat to keepSimpson feeling full instead of deprived.

Plus, the busy working mom made sure to get plentyof walks in and strived to hit 12,000 steps per day minimum. Ultimately, theseactions were more impactful than her sweat sessions. Its not about the workouts, Pasternak toldUs Weekly. You dont lose weight doing biceps curls and lunges. You loseweight by changing your diet, hitting your step goal, working on your sleep those were the things she did so well.

Though she looks fantastic at every size, fans couldnt help but notice how much Simpson is glowing and happy in her latest Instagram photos. You look amazing! gushed one fan. Looking fit and trim Momma!! Have a blast!! echoed another.

Its all proof that hard work pays off. Hopefully, Simpson allows herself a tiny bit of champagne to celebrate her success in the new year!

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Fans Are Freaking Out Over Jessica Simpson's Slimmed Down and Sexy Ski Trip Photos - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

How did KSI build the body that beat Logan Paul in a boxing match? In a new video for Men's Health, the British YouTuber and rapperreal name Olajide Olatunjiresponded to hilarious comments from fans and let us in on his workout secrets.

When he saw a fan applauding his fitness transformation, KSI pulled out his phone and read one of his workout plans: a sweat-inducing series involving 800-meter runs, dumbbell thrusters, deep squats, and burpees.

He also gave some insight into his Nov. 9 YouTuber-on-YouTuber showdown with Paul, which ended with a split-decision victory in KSI's favor. One fan observed that his defensive stance resembled Floyd Mayweather's.

"Yeah I didn't use it though," KSI said. "There's a time and a place, and that wasn't the fight for it. I wasn't trying to be defensive at all. I was trying to get up in his grill. Hands up, move forward, close him down, punch."

One fan asked how the rapper managed to learn boxing in such a short time frame. "Practice, man," he said. "Practice and hard work. You just have to keep doing something over and over again." And the new hobby has had a positive effect on his lifeand we don't just mean the satisfaction of besting Paul.

"Boxing has changed me so much, man," he said. "Maturity-wise, mentally, physicallyit's one of the best things I've ever done.

"All of the boxing purists, they think I was just doing this for money and fame and clout, nah man. Your boy did this for inspirations. And just for myself as well, man. To prove that I can overcome the odds as the underdog to defeat him when everyone counted me out, there's no better feeling."

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How KSI Built the Body That Crushed Logan Paul - menshealth.com

Its the time of year where millions of us are looking for an easy way to get rid of our Christmas-induced bulge.

But its never a good idea to try detox teas, diet pills or other appetite suppressants, a top doctor has warned.

Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS medical director, said such products have a slim chance of success and are potentially dangerous.

Some contain ingredients which have a laxative effect, which may cause diarrhoea, unplanned pregnancies and even heart problems.

Professor Powis said:Its always a good time to try to get in shape, and New Years resolutions are a great time to make a change.

But the reality is theres a slim chance of success with diet pills and detox teas and people could end up doing more harm than good.

Making new year goals and shifting a few excess pounds after Christmas can be a good idea but is much easier to maintain when done gradually and safely.

Professor Powis said there are safe ways to lose weight without buying into products, including the NHS 12-week plan.

Other experts supported his advice against quick-fix diet products, but said the NHS plan wasnt the best alternative.

Dr Zoe Harcombe, an independent obesity researcher and diet expert, said: I agree with Professor Powis that theres a slim chance of success with diet pills and detox teas.

The NHS plan being promoted as an alternative is not evidence based. [Its] based on carbs, carbs and more carbs.

If it were based on the most nutritious foods red meat, oily fish, eggs, dairy products and green things I would be shocked and impressed.

Professor Powis advice follows a crackdown on the endorsement of diet products by celebrities on Instagram and Facebook.

The social media giant said age restrictions would be applied to some posts while others would be banned completely if they are linked with a commercial offer.

Advertising agencies have also threatened companies to stop making exaggerated claims about their products with little science-based evidence.

Products which claim to rid your belly or cleanse your insides, such as tea-toxes, sound miraculous.

But experts, such as the British Dietetic Association, say they are marketing myths with wild and exaggerated claims.

Such products have been slammed because they may cause long term damage both physically and mentally.

Ingredients such as senna leaf, yerba mate, fennel seeds and nettle leaves have a laxative effect, which causes frequent trips to the toilet.

This is how the body initially loses weight. But used for prolonged periods, these ingredients can damage the gut lining.

The addition of dandelion has been shown to interact with medications by changing how they are broken down by the liver.

Bootea has previously admitted the tea can affect the reliability of the Pill, with a wave of women having Bootea babies as a result.

Diarrhoea can decrease the efficacy of medication, as it rushes it through the system without being absorbed in the gut into the bloodstream.

The psychological aspects of diet products are of concern because they fuel body image worries among youngsters following celebrities online.

Social media platforms, where diet products are flogged by celebrities, have put new rules in place to help combat the issue.

Instagram and Facebook said this year it will censor posts promoting miraculous fat-burning products or glorifying cosmetic surgery.

Under Instagrams new rules, posts which advertise the sale of weight-loss products or cosmetic procedures will be hidden from users under 18.

It also said any content which makes a miraculous claim about a diet product, and is linked to a commercial offer such as a discount code, will be removed.

The move followed extensive criticism of celebrities by anti-diet movements, such as I Weigh, led by actress and body positivity campaigner Jameela Jamil.

She has repeatedly criticised high-profile online figures including Khlo Kardashian for posting on social media about diet products.

Manufacturers of extreme diet products have also faced a backlash on the advertising front.

Agencies havecome down harder on companies in recent years who falsely advertise the benefits of their products.

For example, Bootea was ordered to remove various unsubstantiated health and weight claims from its website by the Advertising Standards Authority in 2014.

This month, the extent of false advertising and endorsement was laid bare when celebrities, including reality TV star Lauren Goodger, were duped into promoting a fake and poisonous diet drink by the BBC for a documentary.

Miss Goodger was secretly filmed during a meeting where she was asked to promote a fake diet drink named Cyanora, containing hydrogen cyanide, before it was ready to be tasted.

In the show, Miss Goodger admitted she had never tried Skinny Coffee, which she previously claimed had helped her lose 12lbs in three weeks on Instagram.

MailOnline have contacted Bootea, XLS-Medical, Protein World and Skinny Coffee Club for comment.

A statement form XLS-Medical said: XLS-Medical products are clinically proven to help individuals lose more weight than dieting and exercise alone.

All of the weight management products in the XLS-Medical range have been tested in gold-standard, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials and have a well-established safety and tolerability profile.

Given the prevalence and serious health implications of obesity, we believe choosing to lose or maintain weight for a healthier lifestyle is one of the most important self-care decisions.

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England's top doctor warns there's only a tiny chance that quick-fix slimming regimes will work - Infosurhoy

Everyone and their mother is chatting about the diet that could be en route to saving the world. And, as it turns out, so are their kids.

We already know that's entirely possible to follow a vegan diet and get every single nutrient that you need to live a completely healthy life, but what about those among us who might be more vulnerable when it comes to growth and development?

Specifically, children.

It seems as if every couple of months we're presented with another shocking story of parents starving their children to the point of malnourishment via a so-called 'vegan diet.'

But is it really the 'vegan diet' we should be focusing on, or the active neglect these people are inflicting on their children.

And, at the end of the day, is it safe for children to be vegan?

According to dietician Maeve Hanan from Orla Walsh Nutrition - yes, it is.

She says that when it comes to nutrition, each individual is different.

What works for one person diet-wise may not work for another. However, choosing to eat a diet free from any animal products can be entirely safe if done properly, no matter how old a person is.

"A vegan diet can be safe and appropriate at all life stages," she says, "but there are certain groups that are more nutritionally vulnerable."

"Were talking about infants, young children, pregnant women, older adults, somebody whos unwell or malnourished, or someone who has an eating disorder. All those things can impact whether its appropriate, and those people may need some extra support."

This extra support could come in the form of working with a dietician, closely monitoring the person's health, and regularly going for check ups to ensure that they - and this is particularly applicable for children - are developing correctly.

It could even mean taking specific supplements that are suitable for children, providing them with their specific needs.

"There are appropriate supplements that vegan children and infants can take," says Maeve, "but generally you do need that extra bit of support and planning."

"If a child doesnt get the right nutrients at that stage, it can impact growth and development long term.

"[Veganism] absolutely can be done but if someones unsure, they should get individual advice from a dietician."

You can read more of Her's in-depth look at veganism in Irelandhere.

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Toddlers and tofu: is it safe for children to be vegan? - Her.ie

WILKES-BARRE Another holiday season is winding down and 2019 is in the rear-view mirror.

As we dismantle our Christmas trees and put away the decorations, we vow to get in good enough shape to fut into all those nice clothes in our closets that we used to fit into not that long ago.

As we devour our pork and sauerkraut today, we look ahead to a bright 2020. Spring will soon arrive, flowers will bloom and the Democratic Party will choose its sacrificial lamb to take on President Donald Trump.

The days and months will again fly by, the snow will have melted, the heat and humidity will return, the leaves will change in the fall and my rescued Santa Claus toilet seat cover will again grace my front door in December.

Happy New Year to all and read on to see what our leaders wish for in 2020.

Gov. Tom Wolf: In the new year, I am hopeful we can do more to invest in infrastructure, raise the minimum wage, tackle poverty, reform our probation system, expand gun safety laws, and even more to improve education, reduce health care costs, and enhance the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. I wish, as well, that Pennsylvanians will continue to reach out to their neighbors and lend a helping hand.

Wico Van Genderen, CEO of Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber: There are going to be many market headwind and tailwind dynamics for 2020. Knowing that you make your best sea captains in a storm, heres wishing that our captains of industry and community can navigate the swirling waters.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh: Unemployment is at a 50-year low, wage growth is accelerating for low-income Americans, and for the first time in our nations history, there are more jobs than people seeking work. In 2020, Congress should resume work on pro-growth policies that will build upon the economic progress made over the past three years. I wish everyone across our great commonwealth a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton: We must continue the fight to protect access to quality, affordable health care in 2020. My wish for the new year is for Republicans to get serious and work with Democrats to support middle class families and people with preexisting conditions by strengthening the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I will keeping fighting like hell against GOP efforts to sabotage access to health care.

Outgoing Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George: To spend more time with his family.

Gerry ODonnell: My best wishes to all in our community for a safe and healthy New Year while remembering the New Year is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts that also comes with a time of reflection.

Harold E Flack II, Dallas: At 58.7 cents per gallon, Pennsylvania had the highest gas tax in the U.S., until we were nudged back to second place by California in July of 2019. Pennsylvanias gas tax remains 22 cents higher than the national average. We spend our winters trying not to get another flat tire or break another wheel with potholes and craters everywhere on back roads and main roads alike. My wish is for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make a serious effort to upgrade our roads, and to stop diverting gas tax revenue into other black holes of State Government.

Sen. John Yudichak: Ill go with the state motto, I wish for everyone a year filled with virtue, liberty, and independence.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser: As we close out the year and decade and enter into our own Roaring Twenties, I look forward to working together to keep the American Dream alive and well for all.

Master Sgt. JP Karpovich, U.S. Army: I would like to wish all military, police, firefighters, first responders, nurses and doctors, as well as teachers, a Happy and Healthy 2020.

Teri Ooms, executive director of The Institute: My wish for 2020 is that we all find a way to work towards innovative solutions collaboratively. The parochialism and divisiveness that has engulfed nearly every aspect our lives does nothing to improve or sustain anything positive. We have so much potential as a region, state, and nation and we need to work together to harness that greatness so that it benefits everyone. Personal or political party agendas, geographical and political boundaries, and traditional political party ideology should not drive decision making that only benefits a few.

Will Beekman, general manager of ASM Global, Mohegan Sun Arena: My wish is for Wilkes-Barre to build a downtown skate park, and for Christian Wielage and crew to continue fighting the good fight on saving the Irem Temple.

Paul Keating, Kingston administrator: Happy New Year and best wishes to our great community and all of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Incoming Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown: Rebuild a working relationship between the Mayor of Wilkes-Barre and all members of Wilkes-Barre City Council based on mutual respect and the common goal of working hard for the betterment of the residents of Wilkes-Barre.

Create a 2020 Wilkes-Barre City budget that is based on sound fiscal management rather than hypothetical revenue sources that may or may not come to fruition in the coming year.

Promote safe, clean neighborhoods, work to address the homeless population, and increase revenue productivity within the city on a daily basis.

Former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta: Looking at the start of the New Year my wish for 2020 is that the politicians down in DC end the impeachment sham that is doing nothing but wasting taxpayers money. I wish that they will remember the voters that elected them also elected President Trump and that they will work with him to continue growing the greatest economy weve seen in decades allowing everyone a chance at the American Dream.

In 2020, my resolution is to build the Jordans Army Foundation. My family and I have been so touched by the prayers and support for my grandson Jordan and want to give back. We will be working on growing the foundation to support research for Rhabdomyosarcoma and to help families that are battling this awful disease like our Jordan.

C. David Pedri, Luzerne County manager: Im wishing for all Luzerne County citizens to have a positive experience with the Countys new voting machines. Also, Im wishing for a great turnout for Julys Rockin The River concert series.

Wilkes University interim President Paul S. Adams: First and foremost, we wish every success to the more than 1,100 students in the Wilkes Class of 2020. May your every wish come to be! Second, we wish for continued success under the leadership of our seventh president, Dr. Greg Cant. Dr. Cant will begin in June and we look forward to the ways in which he will continue to advance Wilkes as a small doctoral university like no other. And finally, our University has long enjoyed a productive partnership with Wilkes-Barres leaders. We look forward to continuing this tradition under the leadership of Mayor George Brown as he officially takes office.

John L. Augustine III, President/CEO Penns Northeast: Our new year goal is to add one more County to our regional partnership. We also hope to close on project Dempko, bringing hundreds of jobs to our area. And finally, a happy and healthy year for all in NEPA.

Anne E. Rodella, artistic director of F.M. Kirby Center: My wishes for 2020 are to continue to bring quality arts and entertainment to the F.M. Kirby Center, to make the arts accessible to all, to read more/create more/dance more, and to book Tom Waits at the F.M. Kirby Center.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic: I wish everyone in Northeastern Pennsylvania a happy and healthy New Year. In 2020, Im planning to continue to use my increasing seniority on the House Appropriations Committee to bring our fair share of federal money to Northeastern Pennsylvania, attract more federal contractors to open shop in our area, and provide more and better-paying jobs.

State Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township: My New Years wish for our community is that our seniors (through legislative action) receive more property tax relief in 2020 so some of their burdens are lifted. For our children to have an increasingly innovative education so that they can bring in the next generation of family sustaining jobs to our region and to Pennsylvania. I also hope that more families will consider becoming emergency foster families for brief periods of time in order to meet our increased child protection needs in the Commonwealth.

State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township: That the joy, grace, and meaning of this holiday season carry into 2020 and guide our public policy-making toward constructive and productive results. That we are able to more deeply realize that the diversities in heritage and belief among us distinguish and strengthen Pennsylvania.

Larry Newman, executive director of Diamond City Partnership: My wishes for the new year are to continue making progress toward the goal of a vibrant Downtown Wilkes-Barre, with more historic preservation wins and more local businesses choosing to invest in the economic engine that is our center city.

And, from a personal perspective: health, happiness, and more time spent enjoying the outdoors with my family.

State Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston: I wish that we could build enough support in the legislature and from the governor to get property tax elimination done. Our area needs it.

State Rep. Karen Boback, R-Dallas: Wishing everyone a healthy, happy new year filled with love, peace and prosperity!

Plymouth Borough Council: Members would like to extend warm wishes of a happy and healthy New Year to the residents, businesses, local organizations and all who have helped in providing support and services to improve our community. Community support provided much success in 2019 and Council looks forward to continue to work with the community and organizations in making 2020 even better.

Joe Nardone Sr., Gallery of Sound/Magnus Productions: Stay young in mind and spirit and never get old. And remember to Shake A Hand.

Happy New Year snowman.

Bill OBoyle

Reach Bill OBoyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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Local leaders offer their Happy New Year wishes - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader

Silicon Valley moguls, celebrities, and social media influencers alike prescribe to the 16:8 diet, a form of intermittent fasting also known as the 8-hour diet. Proponents claim that restricting mealtimes you eat during an 8-hour window each day and fast the rest of the time helps with everything from weight loss to lowering the risk of chronic disease.

The problem with this popular method is that youre not making decisions based on how full or hungry you feel, but rather on a restricted time window a setup that can backfire in the long run if you're not careful. Here's what you need to know about 16:8 fasting before you start missing meals.

The 16:8 diet is a type of time-restricted fasting done to achieve better health or lose weight. (The 5:2 diet followed by Jimmy Kimmel, where you eat whatever you want five days a week and only consume 500 calories or less on the other two days, is also a modified form of fasting.)

On the 16:8 diet, you spend 16 hours of each day consuming nothing but unsweetened beverages like water, coffee, and tea. The remaining eight-hour window is when you eat all of your meals and snacks. Most people do this by starting a fast at night, skipping breakfast, and eating their first meal in the middle of the day. No foods are inherently off limits during that time, but some people will follow the keto diet at mealtimes to supercharge their weight loss.

While the term intermittent fasting (or IF) may be new to many of us, the practice isnt all that different from the way our ancestors likely lived: Hunt, gather, and eat during daylight; sleep and fast during darkness.

Some studies have found that theres virtually no difference between people who regularly practiced intermittent fasting and those who simply cut back their calorie intake overall.

A growing body of research demonstrates that a better strategy is optimizing the nutritional quality of what you already eat (veggies, fruit, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats) versus fasting or counting calories. Also, science suggests any potential benefit from fasting is quickly undone during the eating part of the cycle, in which appetite-suppressing hormones switch gears to make you feel even hungrier than you felt at baseline.

But some dieters may benefit from daily fasting if they have trouble sticking to prescribed meal plans or restrictive diets; a 2018 pilot study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Healthy Eating suggests that a 16:8 fasting plan can help obese dieters lose weight without having to count every single calorie they eat. This approach to fasting could also aid those battling other weight-related issues namely, high blood pressure. A new scholarly review published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that a 16:8 fasting plan may help the body naturally improve blood sugar regulation, as well as decrease blood pressure overall in the long run.

Forms of intermittent fasting like the 16:8 diet rely on the concept that fasting reduces oxidative stress on the body, which can decrease inflammation and the risk of chronic diseases.

Its also theorized that fasting gives your vital organs, digestive and absorptive hormones, and metabolic functions a break, according to a recent study published in Cell Metabolism. Since our bodies secrete insulin to help our cells absorb sugar, fasting is linked to reducing our susceptibility to insulin resistance over time. (High insulin levels ultimately put us at risk for a whole host of diseases.)

However, research has also linked fasting to increases in LDL cholesterol (the "bad" kind). Intermittent fasting can make you feel dizzy and nauseated and cause periods of low-blood sugar and dehydration. Despite the fact that most 16:8 enthusiasts drink water during fasting periods, it may not be enough (reminder: food itself provides quite a bit of water).

I also have a much deeper concern about the disordered eating behaviors that may arise from intermittent fasting. Research shows that fasting for a period of time followed by a limited window for eating primes you to overeat. It's a cycle that can be difficult to get out of because it impairs our body's natural hunger cues and metabolism. Restricted eating may also lead to an increased risk of depression and anxiety.

This is especially concerning for women, who have historically been more likely to develop eating disorders. The allotted periods of restriction followed by eating lends itself to binge-purge tendencies that cannot (and should not) be ignored. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, periods of fasting and binging are considered risk factors for eating disorders.

JGI/Jamie GrillGetty Images

Ultimately, it's a personal choice. But there are a few beneficial behaviors you can try without committing to the riskier elements of 16-hour fasts. The first is to better understand mindfulness and how it relates to your food choices. To get started, consider these questions when you're deciding when and what to eat:

Many of us eat based on scenario, not hunger levels. Case in point: Raise your hand if youve ever gone to the movies after dinner and suddenly wanted popcorn? Yep, me too!

By considering the moments when you eat, you may become aware of patterns you didn't notice before. Say youre a person who loves to graze during The Bachelor. If youre fasting after 8 p.m., youve automatically cut hours and subsequently, calories from your post-dinner snacking.

If you've cut out late-night snacking, that alone could help you go to bed earlier a very crucial component to any weight loss plan. Getting seven hours of sleep per night has been linked to better weight management, reduced risk of chronic disease, and improved metabolism.

The bottom line: Its simply not feasible for many of us to restrict food entirely for set periods of time in order to achieve better health. In addition to being difficult socially (who wants to skip happy hour or dinners with friends?), self-imposed rules are simply not as joyful as having the right information and making choices that empower you versus hold you back. It's best to find ways to make eating nutritious food work for you in the context of your day-to-day life. If you are considering intermittent fasting, Id encourage you to try it by starting small and keeping it as simple as possible: Close your kitchen after dinner, aim to get more sleep, and sit down for a full breakfast at your usual time tomorrow.

Read more here:
What Is the 16:8 Diet - Does the 16/8 Intermittent Fasting Method Work? - GoodHousekeeping.com