Intermittent Fasting For Dummies by Janet Bond Brill cover

Intermittent Fasting For Dummies

by Janet Bond Brill

A beginner-friendly guide to intermittent fasting covering popular eating-window protocols, basic science, meal planning, and practical implementation advice.

$14.85 on AmazonRead our full review

At a glance

First published2020
AudienceAdult
ISBN1119724090

About the Author

Janet Bond Brill

1 book reviewed

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Intermittent Fasting For Dummies

by Janet Bond Brill

LuvemBooks Verdict

Best for

General adult readers who are new to intermittent fasting and want a single, credentialed, science-grounded reference that explains multiple fasting methods alongside practical diet and exercise guidance — without requiring any background in nutrition or medicine.

Worth it if

You want a structured, safety-conscious introduction that covers the five most popular fasting protocols, the metabolic science behind them, and complementary lifestyle recommendations all in one organized volume.

Skip if

You already have a solid grounding in nutrition science or are managing complex medical conditions requiring highly personalized clinical guidance, as the For Dummies format's deliberate accessibility will likely feel too introductory for your needs.

4.3from 688 Amazon ratings— reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks score

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Intermittent Fasting For Dummies by Janet Bond Brill front cover
Back cover with green header, synopsis of intermittent fasting methods, author credentials, and yellow footer with Dummies branding.
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Intermittent Fasting For Dummies by Dr. Janet Bond Brill is a comprehensive health and wellness reference that covers the five most popular intermittent fasting methods — including the 16:8 and 5:2 protocols — alongside the metabolic science, diet guidance, and exercise recommendations needed to practice each safely. Best suited for general adult readers who are new to intermittent fasting, the book's seven-part structure and accessible For Dummies format make it easy to navigate without a background in nutrition or medicine. The key caveat: readers with complex medical conditions or advanced nutrition knowledge may find the broad-accessibility format too introductory for their needs.
Is it worth reading?
For general adult readers who are new to intermittent fasting or want a single organized reference that explains both the science and the practice, Intermittent Fasting For Dummies delivers a well-rounded starting point. NetGalley reviewers described it as 'very informative,' highlighting the detailed breakdown of different fasting plan types, and one Target reviewer credited the 16:8 protocol guidance specifically with producing visible results within three weeks. The main limitation is that the For Dummies format prioritizes accessibility over specialization — readers with complex medical conditions, advanced nutrition knowledge, or commitment to a single protocol may find its breadth more of a trade-off than a benefit.
Similar books
Readers who enjoy Intermittent Fasting For Dummies have several strong options to explore. The Complete Guide to Fasting by Dr. Jason Fung and Jimmy Moore offers a deeper, more specialized dive into fasting protocols for those who want greater clinical detail. The Obesity Code by Jason Fung examines the hormonal and metabolic roots of weight gain, providing strong scientific context that complements Brill's practical fasting guidance. How Not to Diet by Michael Greger M.D. FACLM takes a research-heavy, evidence-based approach to sustainable weight loss from a plant-based perspective. For readers interested in the broader picture of metabolic health and longevity, Good Energy by Casey Means MD and Calley Means and Outlive by Peter Attia MD both expand the conversation well beyond fasting into comprehensive lifestyle medicine.
Who should read this?
Intermittent Fasting For Dummies is best suited for general adult readers who are new to intermittent fasting or who want a single, organized reference that covers multiple fasting methods, the science behind them, and complementary diet and exercise guidance in one place. It is particularly useful for readers still deciding which fasting protocol to adopt, since the seven-part structure and side-by-side coverage of five methods — including the 16:8 and 5:2 approaches — supports comparison before commitment. Readers with complex chronic conditions, advanced nutrition backgrounds, or a need for highly specialized clinical guidance will likely find the For Dummies format too general for their purposes.
How is the book structured?
Intermittent Fasting For Dummies is organized into seven parts, following the standard For Dummies format of structured parts, clear chapter signposting, and a tone designed for non-specialist readers. This structure allows readers to navigate directly to the fasting method most relevant to their goals — such as the 16:8 or 5:2 protocol — rather than reading linearly from cover to cover. The book also includes a downloadable cheat sheet to extend its usability beyond the print edition.
What health benefits does it discuss?
The book draws on scientific studies to document a range of health benefits associated with intermittent fasting, including promotion of weight and body fat loss — with specific attention to visceral belly fat — stabilization of blood sugar levels, reduction of insulin resistance, diabetes management, and increased resistance to oxidative stress. Dr. Brill situates these claims within the context of mainstream medical acceptance of intermittent fasting as a legitimate health strategy, making the book a dual-purpose resource for readers who want both scientific grounding and actionable guidance.
Have readers seen real results?
Reader reactions at retail have been strongly positive in some cases — one Target reviewer credited the 16:8 protocol guidance specifically with producing visible results within three weeks. NetGalley reviewers described the book as 'very informative,' highlighting the detailed breakdown of different fasting plan types. The review notes, however, that individual outcomes naturally vary and are not a function of the book itself; results depend on consistent application of the protocols and individual physiology.
Summarize this book

Summarize this book

Intermittent Fasting For Dummies, published December 3, 2020, is a health and wellness reference guide by Dr. Janet Bond Brill that walks readers through step-by-step instructions for the five most popular intermittent fasting methods, including the 16:8 and 5:2 protocols. The book explains the metabolic science behind each plan — covering benefits such as weight and body fat loss, blood sugar stabilization, reduced insulin resistance, and increased resistance to oxidative stress — and pairs that science with practical diet and exercise recommendations. Organized into seven parts, it is designed so readers can navigate directly to the fasting method most relevant to their goals rather than reading cover to cover.

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Age & Reading Level

Recommended age

Adult

Reading level

Adult

Skip if you're looking for a deeply specialized clinical guide tailored to complex medical conditions or advanced nutrition knowledge.

Editorial Review

Intermittent Fasting For Dummies by Janet Bond Brill, PhD, RDN, FAND, LDN is a well-structured health and wellness reference book that covers the science and practice of intermittent fasting, presenting five popular methods alongside more than 40 recipes and evidence-based guidance designed to help readers choose an approach suited to their lifestyle and health goals. This review is based on published sources and the book's documented contents, not hands-on use.

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