Intermittent fasting has become a widely discussed approach to weight management and eating habits, with the 16:8 method among the most popular versions. Under this approach, people typically fast for 16 hours and consume their meals within an eight-hour window. However, nutritionist Lovneet Batra has urged women to consider how prolonged fasting periods may interact with stress, sleep, physical activity and overall nutritional intake. Batra recently addressed the subject in an Instagram post, focusing particularly on women who regularly delay their first meal of the day. She questioned whether extending the morning fasting period by routinely skipping breakfast is necessarily beneficial for everyone.

Her comments have added to the broader discussion about whether fasting strategies should be approached differently depending on an individual's nutritional needs and circumstances. According to Batra, cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, naturally follows a daily rhythm and is generally higher in the morning. She argues that prolonged fasting during this period could potentially add to the body's stress response. Her post suggests that an increase in cortisol may affect hormonal balance and, in some women, could be associated with changes in reproductive hormones.

Batra specifically linked this proposed hormonal response to increased testosterone and symptoms such as delayed menstrual cycles. However, hormonal health is influenced by several factors, including energy intake, body weight, exercise, stress, sleep and underlying health conditions. A delayed period should therefore not automatically be attributed to intermittent fasting or skipping breakfast. The popularity of intermittent fasting has largely been driven by its potential to simplify eating patterns and help some people reduce overall calorie intake.

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But the effectiveness and tolerability of fasting can vary substantially between individuals. A fasting schedule that feels manageable for one person may lead to excessive hunger, fatigue or inadequate nutritional intake for another. For women who choose to follow a fasting routine, the overall quality and quantity of food consumed during the eating window remain important. Adequate protein, fibre, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals are necessary for maintaining general health. Compressing meals into a shorter period does not automatically ensure that nutritional requirements are being met.

Morning routines can also differ depending on lifestyle. Someone with an early workout, physically demanding job or high energy requirements may have different nutritional needs from someone with a sedentary schedule. Sleep deprivation and high stress can further influence appetite, energy levels and hormonal regulation, making a single fasting recommendation unsuitable for everyone. Women experiencing persistent changes in their menstrual cycle, unusual fatigue or other symptoms while fasting should consider discussing them with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian.

Such symptoms can have numerous causes and may require individual assessment rather than simply changing the timing of breakfast. Intermittent fasting is therefore not inherently “bad” for all women, but prolonged fasting may not be appropriate for everyone. Batra's advice highlights the importance of paying attention to the body's response rather than following a fasting schedule solely because it is popular. For women considering longer fasting windows, factors such as nutritional adequacy, activity, sleep, stress and individual health should be taken into account before making significant dietary changes.

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