Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that alternates between periods of eating and fasting, focusing on when you eat rather than what you eat. Common methods include the 16/8 method (16 hours of fasting, 8 hours of eating), the 5:2 method (eating normally for five days, then significantly reducing calories for two non-consecutive days), or alternate-day fasting. This approach may promote weight loss, improve metabolic health, and enhance cellular repair by giving the body extended periods to burn fat and stabilize insulin levels. Intermittent fasting can be flexible but requires careful planning to ensure nutrient needs are met during eating windows.