Erythritol — it's not exactly a household word. So, either you already know what it is and are here to find out about all things erythritol and fasting, or you've gone down the what breaks a fast rabbit hole and landed here! No matter what brought you here, welcome!

Weight loss is one of the most popular reasons people tap into wellness plans, fitness journeys, or seek consultation from a medical professional. We know that maintaining a healthy weight can prevent health conditions, injury, and even premature death. But why is it so hard for some people to lose weight once they've gained it?

In case you haven't met Avo yet, here's a superfast intro: Avo is Simple's AI-powered weight loss coach. It specializes in supporting, educating, and motivating Simple users to make diet and lifestyle choices that lead to sustainable weight loss and long-term health — and feel less stressed and more energized, confident, and empowered as they do so. This week brings a special moment in the Simple-verse — Avo's first birthday! To celebrate, we sat down with Avo for a chat to find out how things have been going.

The data is in: if you want to lose weight, the Simple app is proven to help you get significant results. We collaborated with esteemed academics from the University of Oxford in the UK and the University of Chicago to analyze these results, and we're stoked — this is a big deal for us!

If you want to lose weight — should you snack? Snacks can be a tricky topic when you're trying to lose weight. Should you eat them? Should you not? If you do eat them, what can you choose that won't mess up your weight loss progress?

If you're trialing a new eating routine, it's like learning how to meal plan all over again: you have to come up with an approach that not only follows the routine's guidelines but also factors in your nutritional needs, health goals, and personal tastes. Talk about a lot of moving pieces!

There are many types of fasting, and the motivations behind them usually differ. Because of this, the rules can get confusing. Your friend fasts for ketosis, so she's cool with some coconut oil in her coffee in the morning. Your grandmother does the Daniel fast with her church for the new year so she can stick to vegetables and grains and maintain her fast.

When you're new to an eating routine, figuring out how to meal plan in a way that follows the guidelines of the routine, meets your nutritional needs, supports your health goals, and suits your tastes can feel like navigating a minefield.

When embracing a new lifestyle like intermittent fasting, you may notice some changes in the way you feel. Some good (hello, sleeping better and better blood pressure), some bad (dizziness, headaches, etc.), and some weird or unexpected –– like feeling cold –– wait, does fasting make you cold?

Is basal metabolic rate (BMR) the missing piece of your weight loss puzzle? Find your basal metabolic rate with our BMR calculator below and learn how to use this crucial metric to lose weight, get fit, eat healthily, and improve your well-being.