Fibre tablets on fasting days?

[AkkerDemik]

I'm about to start 5:2, with about 12/13 lbs to lose. I understand that hunger ebbs and flows, and that you can work through it but.... during that period when you feel hungriest and before it's ebbed, my stomach growls and gurgles. Loudly. As in, you can hear it across a crowded room loud

As the fast days have to be separated, at least one of them is going to have to be during the week, and I often have meetings 9.00 - 10.00 - just when the gurgling is at its worst. There are no calories in fibre tablets (the H&B Fibre Diet ones) so would it work if I took a few of those on fast days, just to keep my stomach occupied?

I can't see why it wouldn't be OK, but I thought I'd like to see if anyone else can see a problem?

[mildlyacquiescent]

I don't think fast days do have to be separate, do they?

I wouldn't do what you're planning, tbh- I imagine that might get a bit tough on your digestive system, but someone with actual knowledge might be along later.

[BigChocFrenzy]

You can do consecutive FDs, but that is VERY tough.

I'm worried about combining fibre tablets with fasting, because noone has reported trying this. Your stomach is obviously not used to fasting and you might get constipation, or have a poonami, or just aches.

Why not have 60-70 cals for breakfast, at least until your tum gets used to fasting and quietens down?
Possibilities:
. A boiled egg, nothing else
. A small green salad dressed with lemon juice plus shrimps / 2 slices of chicken breast / half a tin of tuna
. A bowl of veg

[AkkerDemik]

Thanks for the replies. I got the non-consecutive days from the official (Michael Mosley/MimiSpencer) 5:2 site.

The problem with just a boiled egg or something for breakfast is that I've tried that before, not on the 5:2 but just trying to cut down so skipping breakfast () or only having a little, and all it does is put off the gurgling by about 40 minutes.

BigChoc, you said you were wary because no-one has reported trying this. On the grounds that somebody has to be first - I'm going to try. I will report back!

[BigChocFrenzy]

Yes, please report back on your human guineapiggimg

If that doesn't work, then some folk do well on consecutive FDs.
In fact, it is the method used in Dr Michelle Harvie's human studies on weight loss for breast cancer prevention - Mosely referred to some of her research. She allows 650 cals on her FDs.
Mosely just says non-consecutive are easier, which is true.

[OftheTwilighttheDarkness]

Not quite the same I suppose but I often drink fybogel on fast days (get a bit bunged up since starting this fasting malarkey ). I have had no issues.

[hevs10593]

My stomach growls loudly too but I find it only happens once I've eaten so the longer I don't eat for keeps the gurgles at bay. I did my first fast yesterday and only ate after the gym at 7pm. If id of eaten any earlier I think I would of caved and eaten more ending up more gurgly

[TalkinPeace]

Make sure you have plenty to drink : nice big cup of tea or coffee to start the day and your stomach should not rumble

I've never done back to back fasts - cos I'm idle

[AkkerDemik]

Guinea pig Akker signing in. With bright eyes, glossy coat, and a song in her squeak

It works! Well it may not work for everyone, but for me it's definitely the way to go. My stomach must be in a permanent hurry, because eating a little something makes me well and truly hungry, as well as only delaying the gurgling. And a large drink - tea, coffee, water - is a very temporary solution.

But on the fibre tablets the whole fasting thing is a doddle. No hunger pangs, no gurgling, no constipation, no poonami, no griping pain, just a happy bunny (or guinea pig).

I'm on my third fast day today, because now I know that the tablets work I've chosen to do my fasting on the days when I'm most active - for me, they're easier to do than desk days which somehow also make me hungry. So it's Mondays and Thursdays. I allow myself the tablets (four tablets at a time, at around 9.00, 12.00 and 4.00) and 100 calories-worth of tea (I'm a tea addict) during the day, then a 350 calorie main meal in the evening and ONE small square of dark chocolate chopped into a million tiny shards while flopping in front of the tv. And somehow I've got more energy, not less.

I was really motivated to start with, so anything that makes it easier is a bonus. If you're struggling with keeping on track, I recommend trying it. You may have to experiment with number of tablets/timetable for taking them till you find an arrangement that suits you, but it's worth a go.

AND I've lost 2lbs in a week. Zip-a-dee-do-dah, zip-a-dee-ay....

[BigChocFrenzy]

Well done on your SV and your experiment, Akker
Those are very interesting squeaks.

As the human lab rat, come and post your experiences on the main Number51
We're a very friendly bunch