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I’ve tried intermittent fasting a few times, but never stuck with it for the long haul. The prospect of a bowl of Greek honey, walnuts, and honey for breakfast always proves too tempting. However, if you’re able to stick to it, it can be an effective way to lose weight.
Dr. Jillian Foglesong Stabile is a family medicine physician who specializes in helping patients make sustainable lifestyle changes. Today, she breaks down who intermittent fasting actually works for, the mistakes that trip most people up, and why starting smaller than you think is usually the move.
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Fast facts below,
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Healthline
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Written by Tim Snaith
June 4, 2026 • 2 min read |
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| Q: |
How do I make intermittent fasting actually work? |
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| A: |
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that focuses on when you eat rather than what you eat. As Dr. Stabile puts it: “IF can be a helpful approach for certain individuals, but it's not universally appropriate for everyone.”
She doesn’t recommend it for children or teenagers, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, people with a history of eating disorders, or those with conditions like diabetes that require medication management.
For everyone else, Dr. Stabile says the biggest mistakes come down to a few common patterns:
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