Practicing the keto diet alongside intermittent fasting (IF) is compatible. IF doesn’t specify which foods to eat but emphasizes when to eat them. However, if both keto and IF are new to you, starting both at once can be challenging and overwhelming.
Keto is not only restrictive in terms of food choices but also shifts your body from burning glucose for fuel to burning fat instead. This change can be a shock to your system, so it's recommended to get comfortable with keto before adding an IF routine.
There are many ways to practice IF, and no single schedule is universally better for weight loss or improving health. The best IF method for you is the one that fits your daily routine and social life. By reducing calorie intake, all IF methods should lead to weight loss, as long as you don't compensate by eating much more during eating periods.
In any case, start gradually. For example, begin with the 14:10 regimen, which is considered the easiest to follow, instead of jumping straight into a 24-hour fast. Once you're comfortable with 14:10, you can progress to the 16:8 method.
If you're new to IF, be aware that it may cause short-term side effects like hunger, cravings, weakness, and fatigue. These are typically temporary and don’t necessarily indicate a problem with IF. It may take some time for your body to adjust to the new eating schedule.