Does anyone manage fasting with young DC?

[MotherGirth]

I haven't been successful so far. I get to about 2-3pm, feel drained and snappy, then just eat everything in sight. However I'm reading the Krista Varady version and she talks about eating a main meal at lunchtime. I thought that might work for me.

Any advice please?

[Eatriskier]

I have a 3yo and a 16m old and have been doing this for nearly a year now. It wasn't easy at the start but I'm now more used to it and find it easier to cope. What you need to do is find the balance that works for you. I pretty quickly went into having my calories in an evening meal because that suited me. There are plenty of people on here who do a lunch and a dinner with calories split. There are no rules on how to use your 500 calories so experiment and find your own balance. Good luck

[EarSlaps]

I have a 4yo and a 19mo. I started this in July when my 4yo hadn't yet started school and my then 14mo was still breastfeeding and had me up at all hours of the night. He's still a terrible sleeper so I've frequently fasted on four hours sleep or 4.30am starts.

I found that adding in exercise really helps you feel more alert and can stave off hunger a bit. I tended to have a very small meal at lunchtime (maybe a boiled egg and veg), then have my main meal later. Sometimes I found it easier to eat with the boys at 5pm rather than wait until 8pm like normal. Or I make myself a small plate of steamed veg to eat when they eat so I don't pick at the leftovers.

Tbh I probably would prefer to have my main meal around 3pm or something but I have to fit around family mealtimes.

[EarSlaps]

Btw- why not have some low cal nibbles available for the tough times- a hot bovril, a couple of pickled eggs. Strong punchy flavours to give you a boost.

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

Mine are 5&2, started when youngest was 9months. I always fast on a weds when they're both in daycare for a start!

Other fast days I fill with as much activity as poss to keep us all busy, and I still eat with them (eg we'll all share scrambled eggs for lunch, dinner will be soup for me, same soup as a pasta sauce for them)

DD still doesn't sleep through but I find having aFD after a very bad nights sleep better as a) I don't gorge on sugary carb heavy crap to keep myself going and then get inevitable energy crashes b) the adrenaline from hunger gives me energy - and I crash out as soon as they go to bed

[MrsFlorrick]

Hi
(Waves at Eatriskier and Earslaps)

Yes. Mine are 4 and 2.

The key I think is to ease yourself in. I started slow. Under 1000 cals at first then 700 and then 500.

You can spilt your calorie to suit. A lot of 5:2ers find it works to have lunch and dinner. Say soup at lunch and light dinner.

Others prefer to wait and have a bigger dinner.

Things like miso soup and bovril with a dash of Tabasco can help take the edge off and feels "meaty" and "meal like" (17 cals and 10 cals respectively).

Watch out for milky coffee. Adds up mega quick. Isn't filling and caffeine hit lowers blood sugar and can make you feel hungrier. Obv coffee in moderation is fine or black if you can. Personally can't do black coffee. So I limit myself to 1.

I no longer find it an issue to have fast day when DC are at home and I'm cooking for them.
Actually it's more DH and his constant snacking and munching.

Ease your way in. And don't be afraid to have a "mini fast" ie under 1000 cals if you're having a tough day with the DC. Small DC can be hard.

Come and join us over on the 5:2 thread.
It's an amazing place. Everyone's simply ace. It's been a place of support for me during the last almost 6 months. Not just with 5:2 but everything. Because life in general can affect you ability to stay out of the biscuit tin. And the other 5:2ers are so kind and helpful.

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasExhausted]

I'm quite new to fasting but it's going well so far. Kids are almost 3 and a 3 month old

Started on a 1100 day fast (was meant to be 1000 but I was bloody hungry). I am now down to 750 cals on a fast day - breast feeding the baby so don't need to go too low.

I think mrs F is right start off on a mini fast of 1000 cals and see what works for you. I like waiting as long as possible before eating, so I usually have lunch at 1.30pm ish but I couldn't have managed that first fast, I needed to get used to fasting.

[MazzleDazzle]

My kids are 5 & 2. I find it easier to eat nothing on a fast day and just drink lots of water, a couple of black coffees, herbal tea and one or two diet soft drinks. That way, I don't think about food at all, but then again, I'm one of those that if I start eating, I can't stop.

Then, if I really need it later on, I'll sit down and have a small portion of whatever the kids are having for tea.

It's just a case of finding what works for you.