I had to lay a foundation of adding healthy foods — nutrient-dense salads, lean proteins, omega 3 fats, etc. — before I could successfully do IF. I just added all that stuff without worrying about fasting yet.
Also, I tended to eat earlier in the start of my IF process. Apparently it can be more effective anyway, so any way you could eat early and skip dinner?
I believe this process helped regulate some combination of my blood sugar, hormones, and craving. Eventually I wasn’t hungry, lightheaded, or irritable 30-120 minutes after eating. That buffer kept extending and now is several hours. (I’ve still never done more than a 24-hour fast but probably can now.)
Also, while I now seem to have earned some leeway to abstain from my healthy foods (which I do crave almost exclusively) and partake in some junk food, too much junk will make me feel unwell, akin to pre-IF times, so best to be avoided.
Sounds like me after I’ve had too many carbs. I usually use little no carb, fat /protein snacks as needed to help with that. Eventually the time between them gets longer and longer til I’m fasting proper again. And ofc, make sure you’re getting electrolytes.