On TikTok, Instagram or YouTube, intermittent fasting is presented as a simple solution to lose weight: you skip a meal, you shift your schedule a little, and everything is supposed to follow. This promise is attractive because it suggests that we can lighten the rules without thinking too much about the contents of the plate. Except that, when you listen to nutritionists, the story is less automatic than it seems.
Nutritionist doctor Jean-Michel Cohen rightly warns against a very common confusion, which can derail everything. According to him, an error in intermittent fasting simply cancels out the expected benefits on the figure and well-being. And many people commit it without even realizing it.
Intermittent fasting: what Jean-Michel Cohen recalls about its real effects
In a video published on Instagram, Jean-Michel Cohen begins by calming things down on the real effectiveness of this method. , explains Jean-Michel Cohen, cited by the Journal des Femmes. The message is clear: for the same energy intake, fasting is no more effective than a traditional balanced diet.
For him, the main advantage lies elsewhere. Eliminating a meal simplifies the organization of the day and limits the number of decisions to be made. He summarizes: , before qualifying that . In summary, the time frame helps some people, but does not exempt you from thinking about what you eat.
The error of intermittent fasting which cancels its benefits according to Jean-Michel Cohen
This is precisely where the specialist sees the biggest pitfall. He warns against those who think that the mere distribution of meals will be enough: . If we compensate for the hours of fasting with very rich or unbalanced meals, the body ultimately receives as much or even more energy than before.
Concretely, believing that we can eat “whatever we want” during the eating window amounts to canceling the effort made outside of these hours. A very fatty dinner, a succession of sugary snacks, and high-calorie drinks after the restriction period can erase the deficit created by the meal removed. Without a real reduction in overall caloric intake, weight loss remains unlikely, even with strict adherence to schedules.
How to really benefit from intermittent fasting without falling into this trap
For intermittent fasting to be of interest, the plate must remain constructed. The idea is to keep meals complete, with proteins, vegetables, good quality starches and a little fat, rather than relying on ultra-processed products. Another detail often forgotten: during the fasting phase, only non-caloric drinks such as water, tea or black coffee really respect the approach; a very sweet coffee or with a lot of milk already provides energy.
Certain signals can alert you to a poorly conducted fast: intense cravings, uncontrolled snacking as soon as the eating window opens, extreme fatigue or weight that does not change despite efforts on schedule. In these cases, re-examining the content of meals, rather than the principle of fasting itself, can already change the situation. And if doubts persist, a discussion with a health professional helps to adapt the method to your pace of life and your needs.
Intermittent fasting: what is the most common mistake?
It’s believing that simply fasting is enough, without monitoring the quantity and quality of what you eat during the eating window.
How do I know if my intermittent fasting is really working?
We observe a gradual drop in weight, better regulated hunger, fewer cravings and a generally stable energy level over the weeks.
What to eat during the intermittent fasting eating window?
Structured meals with proteins, vegetables, a minimally processed starch, a little good fat, limiting ultra-processed products and fast sugars.
