The word "intermittent fasting" refers to a pattern of eating that varies between times of abstaining from food and consuming it. It does not tell you what kinds of foods you should consume; rather, it tells you when you should consume those things. In this regard, one would be better off referring to it as an eating pattern rather than a diet because it is not a diet in the traditional sense. The most common approaches to intermittent fasting entail either abstaining from food for 16 hours once daily or for 24 hours twice weekly. Throughout the history of our species, fasting has been a common lifestyle choice. The ancient people who lived by hunting and gathering did not have access to grocery stores, refrigerators, or food that was available throughout the year. There were occasions when they were unable to locate any food.