intermittent fasting

American  

[in-ter-mit-nt fas-ting] / ˈɪn tər mɪt nt ˈfæs tɪŋ /

noun

1. a pattern of eating that involves regular short periods of fasting, such as by limiting food intake to a certain period of the day or to fewer meals on certain days of the week.

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Etymology

Origin of intermittent fasting

First recorded in 1875–80, in the context of fasting for religious purposes; 2005–10, in a wellness context

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intermittent fasting

"The results of our study indicate intermittent fasting could offer an alternative pathway for people who find conventional dieting challenging."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026

"Future trials should be designed to identify individuals who struggle to improve eating behaviors, as they may do better with intermittent fasting diets, enabling more personalized weight management," said Professor Heilbronn.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026

After six months, participants in both the intermittent fasting and calorie restricted groups had lost an average of about seven kilograms.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026

For now, the research offers a more detailed view of what may happen during intermittent fasting.

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2026

It has also attracted growing attention in recent years because of studies linking fasting and intermittent fasting to weight loss, improved metabolic health, and cellular repair processes.

From Science Daily ● May 17, 2026