Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that has moved from a niche health practice to a global trend, captivating the attention of many, including high-profile figures. IF is a structured regimen dictating when to eat, cycling between periods of voluntary fasting and non-fasting, rather than focusing on what to eat. The popularity of IF among celebrities has brought significant public awareness to its potential benefits for metabolic health, energy levels, and physique management. The core appeal lies in its flexibility.
What Intermittent Fasting Entails
Intermittent fasting is broadly categorized into two main styles: time-restricted feeding and periodic caloric restriction. Time-restricted feeding, such as the 16/8 method, involves eating all daily calories within a specific window, typically eight hours, and fasting for the remaining sixteen hours. This method capitalizes on the body’s natural circadian rhythms to align food intake with active hours. Periodic caloric restriction, like the 5:2 method, involves consuming a normal diet for five days of the week while severely limiting calorie intake on the remaining two non-consecutive days. On these restricted days, the goal is often to consume only 500 to 600 calories. Both methods aim to prolong the period when the body has finished processing its last meal and begins to burn stored fat for energy.
High-Profile Adopters and Their 16/8 Schedules
The 16/8 method has a wide array of celebrity adherents who use it for sustained wellness and physique maintenance. Actress Jennifer Aniston, for instance, has spoken about noticing a significant difference in her well-being since adopting a 16-hour fasting window. She often delays her first solid food until around midday, beginning her day with non-caloric beverages like celery juice and black coffee to sustain the fast.
Action star Hugh Jackman employed a strict 16/8 regimen while preparing for his Wolverine roles, finding it an effective strategy to gain muscle mass while simultaneously minimizing body fat. He noted the regimen simplified the arduous process of consuming large volumes of food necessary for bulking, contrasting it with the difficulty of eating every two to three hours. Actor Terry Crews also adheres to the 16/8 schedule, typically restricting his eating window to the hours between 2 PM and 10 PM. He attributes his ability to maintain his physique to this disciplined approach.
Other Fasting Methods Employed by Celebrities
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel famously lost weight using the 5:2 diet, a form of periodic fasting that requires two days of severe calorie restriction. Kimmel restricts himself to fewer than 500 calories on two days of the week, often consuming only small portions of food like oatmeal, egg whites, and apples on those days.
For those seeking mental clarity, the One Meal a Day (OMAD) protocol is sometimes adopted. Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has spoken about eating only one meal per day, typically a dinner of protein and vegetables, claiming the extended fast enhances his focus and mental sharpness. Actress Elizabeth Hurley also popularized a similar approach years ago, limiting herself to a single meal in the evening. Individuals considering these more rigorous schedules should seek professional guidance, as intense fasting can affect nutrient intake and overall health.