你听说过禁食这种节食法吗？什么是间歇性禁食？研究表明，这种节食法有助于控制血糖，且有可能降低患糖尿病的风险。它有哪些利弊？听本文围绕这些问题展开讨论，学习与节食有关的词汇。

词汇：dieting 节食

Most of us would agree that being healthy is important. We are inundated with articles in health magazines talking about the latest fad diets, or adverts that offer potential miracle cures for obesity that are often too good to be true. One of the latest crazes is fasting, often referred to as intermittent fasting. But what is it? And how can it help us to lose weight?

Fasting refers to a period of abstinence from consuming food. The idea of intermittent fasting is to reduce calories over a certain number of days or hours rather than a sustained period. It has been linked to longevity and generally improved health. It also helps those interested in keeping off the weight or dropping a few pounds. There are also different ways to fast. For example, in the 5:2 diet, you eat normally on five days of a week and reduce your calorie intake on the other two. Then there's a restricted-hours diet that sees people only eating during a limited part of the day, for example, over eight hours. But is it for everyone? Well, before we get to that, let's look at some of the possible benefits.

A study published on the National Library of Medicine website suggests that intermittent fasting may help with the control of blood sugar and potentially lower the risk of diabetes. However, more research on this is needed. Other studies have claimed that some form of intermittent fasting may help to prevent some diseases, aid with metabolism, slow the ageing process, support brain function, and help to shed weight.

And what about the downsides? Well, this diet is not for everyone. Fasting might not suit those who are underweight or with a long-term medical condition. Fasting may cause some people to experience symptoms such as headaches or make them prone to overeating after a reduced calorie intake day. As with many diets, it's always wise to speak to your doctor or weight loss professional before changing your eating habits. And, at the end of the day, it could just come down to what lifestyle choice suits you.

词汇表

inundate 使应接不暇
fad 一时的风尚
miracle cure 灵丹妙药
obesity 肥胖
too good to be true 好得令人难以置信，好到不像真的
craze 风靡一时的事物
intermittent fasting 间歇性禁食
abstinence 节制
consume 吃，喝
longevity 长寿
keep off the weight 保持体重
drop a few pounds 减重
intake 摄入量
blood sugar 血糖
metabolism 新陈代谢
ageing process 衰老的过程
brain function 大脑功能
shed weight 减重
underweight 过瘦的，体重不足的
prone to 有…倾向的，易于
overeat 过量饮食，吃得过饱

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What is intermittent fasting?

2. What is the 5:2 diet?

3. What are the potential benefits of intermittent fasting?

4. What symptoms may people experience when fasting?

5. According to the article, what is wise to do before changing your eating habits?

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. How many calories do you _______ per day?

underweight                   longevity                   prone                    consume

2. I'm really _______ to catching colds. I get them all the time!

consume                        craze                        prone                    drop a few pounds

3. Don't _______ or you'll get a stomach ache. Eat sensibly.

intake                             overeat                     obesity                  longevity  

4. It turns out the price in that advert was _______. When I got there, it was much more expensive.

too good to be true         craze                        fad                        underweight   

5. I'm being _______ with emails this morning! I need a break.

craze                              inundated                 intake                    keep off the weight

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 

1. What is intermittent fasting?
The idea of intermittent fasting is to reduce calories over a certain number of days or hours rather than a sustained period.

2. What is the 5:2 diet?
The 5:2 diet involves eating normally on five days of a week and having a reduced calorie intake on the other two.

3. What are the potential benefits of intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting may help with the control of blood sugar, prevent some diseases, boost metabolism, slow the ageing process, support brain function, and help people to lose weight.

4. What symptoms may people experience when fasting?
Some people may experience symptoms such as headaches or they may become prone to overeating after a reduced calorie intake day.

5. According to the article, what is wise to do before changing your eating habits?
Speak to your doctor or weight loss professional first before starting any diet.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. How many calories do you consume per day?

2. I'm really prone to catching colds. I get them all the time!

3. Don't overeat or you'll get a stomach ache. Eat sensibly. 

4. It turns out the price in that advert was too good to be true. When I got there, it was much more expensive.

5. I'm being inundated with emails this morning! I need a break.