Fact checked Before we hit “publish,” our science team needs to be 100% satisfied that we’re giving solid advice based on high-quality, reliable, scientifically-sound research.
Editorial guidelines At Simple, we use our nutrition and wellness expertise to give you actionable content that helps you achieve your goals, overcome challenges, and increase your well-being.

    14:10 intermittent fasting could help you lose weight. 

    It could improve your health. 

    It could bring both freedom and discipline to your eating habits.

    Considering stirring up your routine with 14:10 intermittent fasting? It’s not just about what’s cooking; it’s about unlocking weight loss and a healthier, more balanced approach to eating.

    All without the long, restrictive fasts of 16:8, 18:6, or 20:4. 

    It’s quite possibly the perfect way to get started. 

    Could 14:10 intermittent fasting be the happy medium you’ve been looking for?

    Key takeaways

    • Intermittent fasting 14:10 involves fasting for 14 hours and eating within a 10-hour window.
    • It’s effective for weight loss by creating a calorie deficit and promoting ketosis.
    • 14:10 may offer health benefits, but it also poses some risks.
    • Meal planning and prep are essential for success with 14:10 intermittent fasting.
    • 14:10 is a great entry-level fasting method for beginners. 

    What is 14:10 intermittent fasting?

    Following the 14:10 intermittent fasting schedule splits your day into two windows: a 10-hour window when you eat and a 14-hour window when you fast.

    No rules about what you can and can’t eat.

    No rules about how long you need to follow this schedule. 

    No rules of any kind except to follow that 14:10 split. 

    As such, when you follow an intermittent fasting schedule, you get way more freedom than with traditional diets. Because intermittent fasting isn’t actually a diet — it’s simply a way of structuring your eating that could bring a ton of health benefits. 

    And 14:10 intermittent fasting is an easy, entry-level option — perfect for getting started. 

    How does 14:10 intermittent fasting work?

    Going for 14 hours without food might sound pretty tough. 

    But bear in mind that you’ll most likely be asleep for a good chunk of those hours, and actually, eating on a 14:10 intermittent fasting schedule won’t feel all that different from what you’re doing now. 

    You just gotta pull in the edges. Take breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and squash them a little closer together. It’s completely up to you where you place your 10-hour eating window in your day, and you can change it to suit you if your schedule shifts around. 

    For instance, maybe during the work week, 10 AM till 8 PM works great. But on the weekend, you like to have breakfast later and hit some tacos with friends for dinner, so 11 AM till 9 PM is a better fit.

    So long as you hit that 14-hour fast, it’s all good. 

    What to eat on a 14:10 intermittent fasting schedule

    The beauty of 14:10 intermittent fasting is that nothing is off-limits. BUT if you’re looking to reach some health goals, make sure you’re reaching for nutrient-dense food like a tasty salad instead of a plate of fries.

    What to eat during 14:10 intermittent fasting is completely up to you. That can feel both freeing … and terrifying. Knowing the best food choices to support your goals is no small thing. 

    We’re here to give you some ideas. 

    Whether you’re looking to lose weight or optimize your health, if your meal plan contains predominantly foods like this: 

    • lean protein
    • whole grains
    • veggies and fruits
    • healthy fats
    • calcium-rich foods

    And doesn’t contain too many foods like this:

    • ultra-processed foods
    • refined carbohydrates
    • unhealthy fats

    You’ll get results. 

    We can help you put together a meal plan that’s both full of foods you like and supportive of your goals. Go check out our intermittent fasting meal planning guide for everything you need to know and the next steps you can take. 

    There are no calorie counts to nail or macros to hit with 14:10. Instead, we’d encourage you to listen to your body and follow your appetite cues. In other words, during your eating window, eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. This does take practice, no doubt. But it’s a skill well worth getting good at. 

    The foods above will help. Nutrient-dense foods curb hunger, keep you fuller for longer, and don’t trigger cravings. When you want to work in tandem with your appetite and eat what your body needs (as opposed to, say, eating with your emotions), lean proteins, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats are a sure bet.  

    Once you’re out of your eating window and into your fasting period, you’re in the calorie-free zone. Here, stick to water plus unsweetened tea / coffee without milk.

    If you’re curious whether you can drink things like bone broth or you’ve heard MCT oil is fast-friendly, check out what you can drink while fasting for the definitive Simple guide. 

    14:10 intermittent fasting and weight loss

    14:10 intermittent fasting can lead to good results for those looking for weight loss, as studies show.[1,2]

    Some studies have found that intermittent fasting resulted in participants losing between 0.8% and 13% of their starting body weight.[1]

    As with all lifestyle changes, the impact of intermittent fasting on health and weight will depend on many factors, like age, activity levels, dietary choices, and so on. But many people have seen success with intermittent fasting on a 14:10 split. That success is likely down to a couple of key intermittent fasting-related happenings. 

    The first is that shrinking your eating window naturally creates a calorie deficit. When you eat less than you burn, you lose weight. 

    The second is that fasting puts the body into ketosis. When you don’t eat for a prolonged period, you don’t give your body any glucose with which to fuel your activities. So, it turns to your glycogen stores and, when they’re used up, to your fat stores. This is ketosis, the metabolic shift caused by intermittent fasting that helps you lose body fat. 

    14:10 intermittent fasting schedule results

    Simple user Jessi says:

    “When I started [intermittent fasting] last fall, I had been trying to get off some medications. Trying to keep up with what to eat & how often to exercise started discouraging me. I began to wonder if I could ever lose the weight and stop taking medications I didn’t want to take. 

    Then, I discovered [intermittent fasting]. 

    I started seeing losses and haven’t looked back since. I started out on a 14:10 [schedule] and now do 17:7.”

    This is a great example of how 14-hour intermittent fasting can both generate results and open up the world of longer fasts (should you want it to!).

    If you’ve heard enough and are kinda feeling this fasting vibe, why not take our Simple quiz? You can choose 14:10 as your intermittent fasting schedule, and as easy as pie, you’re off and running! 

    Health benefits of 14:10 intermittent fasting

    Like other intermittent fasting schedules, 14:10 can definitely provide you with some health benefits, especially if you couple that with daily movement like a morning yoga session.

    14:10 intermittent fasting hasn’t been studied as much as other intermittent fasting schedules. 

    That said, one study, in which people with metabolic syndrome followed a 14:10 intermittent fasting schedule for 12 weeks showed some promising health benefits.[3]

    Reduced cholesterol levels

    Participants’ total and LDL cholesterol levels dropped. 

    Lower blood pressure 

    Decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed.

    Decreased body weight and body fat

    There were significant reductions in body weight, and waist circumference decreased.

    Improved blood sugar

    Participants who had high HbA1c and fasting glucose levels experienced a drop in their HbA1c.

    Lower risk of metabolic syndrome

    Taken together, these effects lower the risk of metabolic syndrome, as well as other health conditions, like heart disease.

    Health risks of 14:10 intermittent fasting

    As an intermittent fasting schedule with a longer eating window, 14:10 hasn’t got as many risks as some others, though there are still some to be aware of. 

    Weight gain

    One of the temptations with intermittent fasting is to get sucked into the “eat whatever you want!” freedom of it. With that approach, it’s really easy to gain weight.  

    What you eat is completely your call. You’re the boss here. Just be mindful of whether the food choices you’re making align with the goals that are important to you. 

    Hunger and crankiness

    Initially, you may feel pretty hungry and cranky, especially if you’re a habitual evening snacker and your fasting period cuts that off. Drink lots of water, and make friends with new kinds of herbal teas to give you something flavorful for the evenings. You will adjust. 

    Dehydration

    Food provides a significant proportion of your daily fluid intake, so although it might seem weird, you can actually get dehydrated through fasting. Again, drink lots of water, and be sure to schedule a bunch of vegetables and fruits into your meal plan. 

    Is 14:10 intermittent fasting safe?

    14:10 is considered one of the easiest and safest fasting methods, so it’s on the table for most people to try. 

    That said, there are some people who should avoid fasting, no matter how gentle the schedule seems. Don’t try intermittent fasting — unless you have your doctor’s full blessing and support — if you: 

    • are extremely active
    • are under 18 or 80 years or older
    • have (or are at risk of having) an eating disorder or have a history of one
    • have a BMI <18.5
    • take prescription medications
    • have a medical condition
    • are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive

    Pros and cons of 14:10 intermittent fasting

    ProsCons
    Shorter (mostly overnight) fasting periods You might not reach ketosis
    You write the meal plan You write the meal plan!
    You could lose weight Results might be slow
    It could benefit your health It might feel hard (at first)

    Pros

    On a 14:10 intermittent fasting schedule, the shorter fasts are easier (relatively speaking), and most of your fasting will take place overnight. 

    You get to call the shots on what you eat and when, and your weight may decrease while your metabolic health increases.  

    Cons

    With a shorter fast, it’s not a done deal that you will reach ketosis, or if you do, you won’t spend as much time there as with longer fasts. So, results may be slower than you had hoped. 

    Any new approach to eating will feel hard at first, and you’ll need to adjust to new habits, like meal planning, to really feel the benefits of this method. 

    Is 14:10 intermittent fasting right for you?

    If you’re just getting started with intermittent fasting, 14:10 is an excellent place to begin. 

    (We have more tips on intermittent fasting for beginners here, so check them out if this is your first intermittent fasting rodeo.)

    If you don’t jive well with rule-heavy, restrictive diets, and you’re looking for something to give your food choices a bit more nutritional oomph, why not give 14:10 a go? 

    That extra bit of structure around when you eat could be just the catalyst you’re looking for to improve your eating habits. 

    14:10 can also be the perfect route into other, more advanced fasting methods. 

    Maybe you’ve read about 16:8 intermittent fasting. You’re sold on the benefits, but it sounds kinda heavy going. Get your feet wet with 14:10, and start building your fasting stamina.

    The thing is, you can’t really know if something is right for you until you’ve tried it. If it’s safe for you to do so, and you’re even a little bit interested to see how it could work for you, go for it.

    And if you’re looking for a little more help deciding what your best approach is, we gotcha! Try our Simple quiz, and we’ll help you get started on your intermittent fasting journey today.

    5 pro tips for 14:10 intermittent fasting

    Meal prep is one secret to success for the 14:10 schedule. And don’t feel like you have to prep alone; involve the whole family. Sticking to your plan + quality family time = a real win-win.

    Let us help you get the most from 14:10 with some pro tips. 

    1. Start slowly

    You don’t have to start with 14 hours. You could start with 12. Or by simply adding one hour to your existing overnight fast. 

    Practice makes progress, so don’t be afraid of starting out wherever you feel most comfortable. 

    1. Exercise for better results

    If you want speedier results, throw some exercise into the mix. Whether it’s walking, steady-state cardio, weight lifting, or yoga — whatever floats your boat will bring some extra power to your ability to reach your goals. 

    1. Listen to your body

    Notice how you feel when you practice 14:10. 

    Do you feel full of energy and clearheaded? Or do you feel kind of slumpy and fogged up? That will give you some guidance on whether 14:10 is working for you. 

    1. Become a ninja at meal prep

    Meal planning is key to success with intermittent fasting. Hand in hand with that is meal prep

    Making sure you have the food you need when you need it is a HUGE factor in eating the food you planned! 

    So whether you need to find time for regular grocery shopping, get comfy with chopping veggies, or break out the crock pot that’s been languishing in the back of the cupboard for years, put “get good at meal prep” on your to-do list. 

    1. Practice wiping the slate clean

    There will be days where your hunger will have you fast-breaking too early, you snuggle down with Netflix rather than knocking out a workout, or your meal prep hits the wall. 

    No problem. Simply wipe the slate clean and keep going. Days like that are part for the course. In the meanwhile, take a look at our guide on how not to feel hungry when fasting.

    Simple’s expert opinion and final thoughts

    While 14 hours is not the longest fast in the intermittent fasting family, it’s still a smart choice for losing weight and improving your health.

    Even smarter if you’re an intermittent fasting rookie.

    You can still get plenty (if not all) of the benefits of fasting without the restrictions of the more extreme forms, like 18:6 or 20:4. 

    If you’re looking for a new way to improve your health habits and/or lose weight, give 14:10 a whirl and see how you feel. 

    Why not start out with us by your side? Take our Simple quiz, and we’ll set you up with a fasting timer, plus a food log and a hydration tracker, so all you need to do is practice fasting and eating on a 14:10 cadence!

    Frequently asked questions about 14:10 intermittent fasting

    AIt typically takes a few weeks to see results from 14:10 intermittent fasting.

    Both fasting methods can lead to health benefits, such as weight loss and improved metabolic health, but 14:10 fasting may not be quite as good as 16:8 in terms of the speed and depth of results you can get. 
    What happens to your body when you fast for 14 hours is a switch from burning glucose from the food you’re eating to burning glycogen and fat stores.

    Yes, 14-hour fasting can help with weight loss by reducing calorie intake and increasing fat burning.

    During the 14-hour fasting period, you can’t eat anything with calories.

    During the eating window, you can eat whatever you like, but for best results, eat a balanced diet of predominantly whole, nutrient-dense foods.

    14:10 is a lot gentler than Eat Stop Eat, which has two 24-hour zero-calorie fasts a week. 

    Eat Stop Eat, like water fasting and dry fasting, are not intermittent fasting schedules we recommend at Simple. 

    14:10 and other TRE fasting methods are safer, well-researched, more supportive of your body’s needs, and plenty effective. Our advice: stick with TRE. 

    It’s not been studied specifically with 14:10, but intermittent fasting generally does not slow metabolism.