Harvard-trained gastroenterologist discusses three ways to lose belly fat with intermittent fasting: ‘One of these is particularly crucial’
Published on: Aug. 1, 2025, 1:30 p.m. | Source: The Indian Express
Harvard-trained gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi recommends three key tips for belly fat loss with intermittent fasting: starting with a mild 12:12 fasting schedule to promote better sleep and healthier food choices, consuming only non-caloric beverages like black coffee, green tea, or water during the fasting window, and crucially, focusing on a high-fiber, high-protein diet during the eating window to ensure satiety and promote fat loss. Certified diabetes educator Kanikka Malhotra supports this protocol, highlighting that intermittent fasting (specifically time-restricted feeding) aids weight management, improves metabolic health, and enhances insulin sensitivity by reducing mindless snacking and late-night eating. She emphasizes that the success of IF largely depends on consuming nutrient-dense meals with adequate protein, healthy fats, fiber, and micronutrients during the eating window. Both experts agree that the 12:12 pattern is accessible and offers metabolic benefits, and that restricting caloric beverages during fasting maintains the physiological state of fasting. The most critical element, however, is the high-fiber, high-protein diet during eating windows, which is essential for sustainable fat loss, though individual responses and long-term adherence require ongoing assessment.
