#469 - Fasting To Help Disordered Eating, Craving Dating App, Romantic Partner Eating Habits, Longer Fasting Benefits, Fast Food Choices, Our Favorite Supplements, And More!

In episode 469 of The Intermittent Fasting Podcast, Melanie Avalon and Barry Conrad dive into a wide-ranging discussion on fasting, disordered eating, romantic compatibility, and lifestyle optimization. They begin with a deep dive into a 2019 study from University College London comparing alternate-day fasting (ADF) to continuous calorie restriction in healthy dieters, finding that fasting led to greater reductions in shape and weight concerns, improved mood, and better adherence—suggesting that the 'all or nothing' nature of fasting may be psychologically easier than constant calorie monitoring. The hosts explore the implications for individuals with or without a history of disordered eating, cautioning that fasting may not be suitable for everyone and emphasizing the importance of psychological safety. They then tackle listener questions about dating partners with different eating habits, with both hosts agreeing that mutual respect and environmental optimization are key—especially when cohabiting. Practical advice follows on navigating fast food choices, with Chipotle and In-N-Out favored for their better ingredient profiles. The episode continues with a discussion on the benefits of longer fasts (3+ days), highlighting deep autophagy, immune system reset, and mental clarity, though both stress moderation and individual suitability. The hosts share their favorite supplements, including serrapeptase, magnesium nightcap, spirulina, berberine, HCL, urolithin A, and transdermal NAD patches—highlighting their personal transformative effects. The episode concludes with a vivid profile of Delmonico’s in New York City, a historic restaurant credited with inventing fine dining in America, where the hosts imagine breaking their fast with a luxurious meal of crab cake, filet mignon, and baked Alaska.