Be aware: this is only the goal of this diet, not necessarily its outcome. Results vary from person to person. Consult your doctor or dietician before starting this (or any other) diet.
The 4:3 diet is a variant of intermittent fasting and is very similar to the 5:2 diet. The difference is that you eat normal for 5 days in the 5:2 diet and fast for 2 days, whereas you eat normal for 4 days and fast for 3 days in the 4:3 diet.
Every time you have fasted one day you take a 'normal' day after. So you fast every other day. That is why the diet is also called the 'alternate fasting'/'Alternate-day fasting' (ADF) diet.
On the homepage you can compare this diet with other diets.
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Depending on how strict you follow the diet, you can decide to eat nothing at all or to eat very little (for instance maximum 500 calories) during the fasting days.
The proposition is that, with the 4:3 diet, you can eat what you want during the normal days. During the fasting days you can too, as long as you do not exceed the maximum number of calories. However, it is often recommended to make healthy choices.
There are no specific rules on drinking either, as long as the maximum number of calories is not exceeded on the fasting days, for example by consuming drinks that are high in calories. Notably, it is important to drink enough water during the day (water contains no calories). Coffee/tea without milk or sugar is also allowed throughout the day.
Dr Krista Varady, author of the book The Every Other Day Diet, says that by limiting calories to a maximum of 500 for three days per week, you can lose weight and become healthier.
Various health claims are made around the different forms of fasting. Fasting should, among other things, help lower blood pressure and reduce fat percentage. If lowering blood pressure or reducing fat percentage is your goal, you should contact a doctor or dietician.
Consult your doctor or dietician before starting this (or any) diet, especially if you have diabetes or bowel problems.
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Several books have been written about the 4:3 diet. We've listed some of them as ad links from Amazon, Apple and Ebooks for you below:
Several types of fasting, like ADF, have been discussed in podcasts. One if these is this episode (ad link) from Big Bold Life:
Other variants of intermittent fasting include the 8-hour diet and the 5:2 diet.
Examples of diets that use these or other methods of fasting include the dr. Ludidi diet, the Longevity diet, the TRF diet and the Galveston diet.
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As you see fit
With the professional help of a dietitian it should be easier to reach your goals. Please contact a dietician in your area or talk to a doctor before starting any diet.
Please take note that most diets do not have a scientific basis.
Consult your doctor or dietician before starting a diet, especially if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease or kidney disease.
If you think you might have an eating disorder (like anorexia or bulimia), it is important to look for professional help. Contact your (house) doctor or find help elsewhere. Here you can find a list of several websites that can provide (online) help. These sites also provide information for people that know someone with an eating disorder.