Will 5:2 help with my general health - cholesterol etc?

[C00lCat]

Hi I've been reading through the Inspirational Stories thread and other more general 5:2 threads and WOW!! The more I read, the more I think this could be the diet for me.
I obviously want to lose weight (3 stone) but also need to reduce cholesterol and reduce diabetes risk etc. I suppose what I'm asking is do people naturally tend to eat better on NFDs than they used to? Or realistically will my cholesterol not really improve as I'm not consciously going low fat? Help!

[EssentialHummus]

I'm not currently 5:2ing, but when I did it, I did find that I ate more sensibly on NFDs. On the fast days I'd be fantasising about the doughnuts/cake/whatever I'd eat the next day, but the next day I found my hunger was quite suppressed.

[C00lCat]

Thanks for your reply! That's really interesting to hear - my fear is I'll be eating doughnuts 5 days a week which isn't the idea!

[annielostit]

5:2 Thread No. 59: Oh the weather outside is frightful. But the fasting is so delightful. And since we've no place to go, let's jump back in the 5:2 flow !675

If you look here in the opening page there's links and sort to explain the science behind it as well as lovely support & expert advice.
Personally I think some people are more susceptible to higher cholesterol etc through genetics rather than diet. My mother doesn't have cholesterol but dad does - same diet/food for 50 years, i don't but older sister does. Iyswim. Good luck with your journey.x

[Ta1kinPeece]

Since taking up fasting, my DHs cholestrol has dropped, his blood pressure has dropped, his IBS has stopped, both our skin has improved
and we both lost weight

what's not to like

[C00lCat]

Sounds great - I'm definitely going to give it a go. I've done WW in the past but it always felt like I was either being 'good' or 'bad' - and it didn't work in the long run. Time to try something new!!

[BigChocFrenzy]

Do join us on the 5:2 main thread 59
We're a v friendly bunch.

At the end of the OP is a section "Scientific Evidence for Fasting" with many links to peer-reviewed science about the many health benefits.

btw, low fat is not necessary for most people.
On 5:2, we aim to eat real food in sensible amounts.

[C00lCat]

Thank you! First FD is tomorrow - I will hop over to the main thread.