which diet?

[bigbuttons]

Firstly apologies if this has been covered many times, but looking through all the threads here I feel slightly overwhelmed!
I really like MM and want to try one of his 'diets', not to lose weight as such, I don't 'need' to, but because I think it would benefit my body.
The way I see it he has the 5:2 plan and the blood sugar plan.
Can I ask which you would recommend and why?
I there is already a thread discussing the pros and cons of both plans could you link me to it?
Many thanks

[BigChocFrenzy]

The 5:2 plan:
is the easiest and - for most folk - the most suitable

You have 2 FDs (fast days) per week @ 500 cals and eat normally the other 5 days
Calorie counting only on the FDs, unless your "normal eating" the other 5 days is much roe than you can burn.
It doesn't restrict food types, other than strongly recommending no booze or junk on the 2 FDs.

You can stay on it indefinitely, as long as you want.

The BSD:
is very tough, restrictive and is really intended for those with significant insulin resistance / PreT2 / T2 - such folk find it hard to lose on any WOE unless they drastically change what they eat and how much they eat.

It has no FDs, but is 8 weeks of daily 800 cals.
So it's a VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet) and obviously NOT a longterm diet - after 8 weeks, MM suggests moving onto 5:2 BSD (see below) or just daily low carb, but not as strict.

BSD requires daily calorie counting
It's based on the award-winning Newcastle Uni protocol to reverse T2 and PreT2, which it actually has achieved in peer-reviewed scientific studies.

It is strict daily low carb Mediteranean = standard low carb + additionally allows beans, lentils & peas, also plain yoghurt.

BSD 5:2
Is a combination of both diets, a compromise for those are insulin-resistant but don't want a VLCD.
Or you use it after the 8 weeks of BSD

It is still strict daily low carb Mediteranean
but it only has the 2 weekly FDs @800 cals (instead of 500)
The other days you eat normal amounts, but still low carb Med only.
You can also stay on this diet as long as you want.

You are welcome to join us on the Main 5:2 / IF thread # 66 for daily support.
The OP has all you need to know about fasting, 5:2, tips, the science behind fasting etc