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Original poster

to think this 5:2 diet craze is likely to lead to an increase in anorexia

194 replies

sarahseashell · 31/07/2013 16:02

.. in the longer term?

obviously that's just my own thoughts on the subject but I do sadly think that's what'll happen

OP posts:
mrsjay · 01/08/2013 11:25

they have to feed them so much as they live in prides dont they so they need to make sure they are all fed, I still dont think we need to fast it is faddy imo I do agree that we all can eat too much though

MrsMelons · 01/08/2013 22:09

Grimma - I think you are exactly right, I am just hoping in time that I can have the guilt free 5 days and use 5:2 as a lifestyle choice and not feel I want to achieve the 0:7!!

The first couple of weeks were fine actually but once it started feeling good on the fasting days that is where it went wrong.

I am actually in a fairly good state of mind (for me) as I exercising lots but I still have good and bad days. One day they will all be good!

formicadinosaur · 01/08/2013 22:29

The 5:2 fasting recommends 500 cals on two non consecutive days. It also recommends that on non fasting days you eat your TDEE calculated cals. Google TDEE to work out how many cals you should be consuming. For me its 1750 cals.

Cat98 · 01/08/2013 22:34

I love 5:2. It has totally removed 'guilt eating' for me, I've lost half a stone in 2 months, feel (and apparently look) fit and well.
That's all the 'evidence' I need.
Not saying its right for all but there's definitely something in it.

formicadinosaur · 01/08/2013 22:39

You are supposed to try a 6:1 ratio once ideal weight is reached.

revealall · 01/08/2013 23:25

But fasting is all about "control" and ignoring the hunger. Other diets (as long as it's the right food for that diet) always let you eat if you are hungry.

Isn't control a key element of anorexia?

Someone on here does a fast from 5pm through to 7pm the next day when she just eats 500 cals. She does this 3 days a week. I admire her motivation but part of thinks this sound like problem eating.

AnnabelleLee · 01/08/2013 23:35

It's about learning that there is nothing wrong with being hungry, you don't have to eat something every time you feel hungry. Its not about control at all.

Is it any wonder the population is getting so fat when a sensible diet is decried as causing eating disorders? Eating disorders are not caused by diets. They have a strong genetic and biological component.

revealall · 01/08/2013 23:39

So at what point of being hungry do you decide to eat then?

revealall · 01/08/2013 23:42

Aren't you supposed to eat when you are hungry?

Being overweight is because people eat when they aren't hunger

revealall · 01/08/2013 23:42

hungry!

AnnabelleLee · 01/08/2013 23:43

Sure, its that simple. Hmm

LessMissAbs · 01/08/2013 23:48

revealall But fasting is all about "control" and ignoring the hunger. Other diets (as long as it's the right food for that diet) always let you eat if you are hungry. Isn't control a key element of anorexia?

Anorexia nervosa is a combination of a nervous mental disorder coupled with loss of appetite.

You appear to be suggesting that any form of controlled eating is akin to anorexia.

Are you suggesting that a human being should always eat when hungry? Hunger pangs can be very deceptive.

revealall · 02/08/2013 00:02

You shouldn't eat if you aren't hungry is my point.

Of course you need to recognise what hunger is which you may not do if you snack endlessly. However I still think that eating at that point which you are hungry is a good idea.

revealall · 02/08/2013 00:12

Anorexia nervosa is a combination of a nervous mental disorder coupled with loss of appetite

Right, so read how many people on this thread have said they lose their appetite on the 5:2 diet..we're halfway there then!

And no one has answered my question "So at what point of being hungry do you decide to eat then?"

AwkwardSquad · 02/08/2013 07:10

'At what point of being hungry do you eat then?' At mealtimes. I had a major snacking habit. 5:2 has helped me learn to control that. And my digestion is massively improved. Speaking as someone with IBS and reflux.

Ev1lEdna · 02/08/2013 08:12

candycoatedwaterdrops I suspect you do know more than most about eating disorders (although you shouldn't assume you know more than everyone as you don't know their background, and I feel no need to give credentials on this thread, lets say there is are reasons I have written about it). As I said I agree with you that our society has an impact on eating disorders, the youngest child I have come across who has one was 8! That doesn't come from nowhere. I actually think you and I agree on this matter I am constantly frustrated about the messages the media send out. What I was objecting to was being told to 'fuck off' with saying it was a mental illness, it is one although as I said it doesn't exist in a vacuum. Essentially I agree that our obsession with appearance plays a part BUT I'm not sure any one diet plays more of a part than any other.

Having said that, I think some of the more recent posts on the role of control in the 5:2 diet are interesting and make an excellent point that aspect may make this diet more restrictive. I do know that even the mainstream Weight Watchers point system can be a trigger for some.

The issue of eating disorders is a very complicated one as you and many others on this thread know candycoatedwaterdrops.

candycoatedwaterdrops · 02/08/2013 09:05

Sorry for saying "fuck off". Blush It was really rude. I'm very sensitive about this sort of thing. I'm not excusing myself though because there is no excuse.

I am passionate about education on eating disorders and I really believe there are far more eating disordered people than the stats show. On a slight side note, there is an increase in people being diagnosed with AN and BN and I truly believe that with the rise in obesity, a proportion of those people who are obese actually have EDs. It's all very well educating them on a healthy diet but if there's an eating disorder, they need a structured treatment approach. We as a society need to open our eyes a bit more.

GrimmaTheNome · 02/08/2013 09:32

Other diets (as long as it's the right food for that diet) always let you eat if you are hungry.

No - I'm only 5'1 and when I've 'dieted', in order to get any result I've had to eat pathetically little all the time.

I don't find that my appetite has decreased - except in one respect - I now don't find I want so much carbohydrate. That's not 'appetite' as such, its readjustment of body chemistry in a healthy direction.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a bit of 'control' provided its controlled control IYSWIM. In the case of people with AN it's not - they actually aren't in control of their lives.

FannyMcNally · 02/08/2013 10:00

I've lost over 2 stone in under 3 months on the 5:2. It's the diet that's worked for me and I'm a new woman! I am nearly at my desired weight so will cut out the fasting days soon. I intend to fast maybe once a week if I start putting it on again. My appetite for huge meals went within a couple of weeks and I now eat sensibly on my 5 days, between 1500 and 2000 calories which contain all the food groups and feel this is sustainable. I'm not sure which part of the 5:2 works but for me it was my appetite shrinking to a normal level and my reliance on bread, crisps and chocolate seemed to have disappeared. And if you'd have told me that 6 months ago I wouldn't have believed you!

Ev1lEdna · 02/08/2013 10:29

Canycolouredwaterdrops its ok Smile it is clearly an emotional subject and believe me, I appreciate that. I also agree with your comments about obesity and overeating frequently being disordered too. I am pretty sure you and I agree on this from what you have written here. You are right society does have to open its eyes.

GrimmaTheNome - I was thinking more of the feeling of control getting out of hand for some people. Anything restrictive has an element of control - so all diets including those for medical reasons eg a Coeliac diet. The control in 5:2 is fasting and on those days the restriction is quite severe. I am just wondering if that aspect of control could be considered more triggering, and addictive. I still feel, however, that many other weight loss diets can be equally triggering. A calorie controlled diet can encourage an obsession with calorie counting in the right person, a points system can make the right person obsessive. If your life feels out of control exercising control over one aspect can be enticing and all the more reason to do it when everyone from media to fat-shamers on the street or on Facebook tell you that to be thin is to be a good person. Then that control is not only enticing but it is RIGHT and makes you a better person too.

Original poster
sarahseashell · 02/08/2013 11:40

thanks to everyone who's contributed on this thread - I've found it really interesting. Yes it's the control and existing on virtually nothing elements of this diet which make me concerned over other diets tbh. I really hope there's no fallout in terms of increased numbers of eating disorders, but I for one have realised it would be a real risk for me, even though I've never suffered before, because if I were able to do this 2 days the temptation would be to increase that to more days. Also as others have said, it will cover up ed's if it becomes the norm and I think that's a real worry as they could take longer to get picked up in some cases.

I'm not saying 5:2 doesn't work for some people perfectly fine, obviously, just worried about the risks of it

OP posts:
2468BONJOVI · 02/08/2013 12:00

The people who are saying that responding to appetite is the correct way to control weight, and that this diet is particularly bad because it encourages people to control hunger rather than respond to it, don't understand how little some people have to eat to be reasonably slim. for some people, either controlling their appetite or shopping in "for large sizes" shops is a fact of life. This diet is offering a way to control hunger that is more convenient for some than having to do it every hour of every day (I know it is supposed to offer other benefits too). but I don't believe that it is more dangerous than dieting full stop - I accepted a long time ago that I can either:

a. be hungry most of the time, and absolutely non-functionally ravenous some of the time

or

b. be fat

I veer between the two. I do a. till I can't stand it any more and then I do b. till I can't stand that any more.
Lots of people are like this. Lots of people live with guilt and / or hunger. It may be associated with eating disorders. I don't know. but this diet is no worse than the status quo.

If you can be slim without actively controlling your hunger a large amount of the time, you are lucky

PumpkinPositive · 02/08/2013 12:08

I've been on it since January and lost 1.5 stone. Wasn't anorexic then, not anorexic now.

GrimmaTheNome · 02/08/2013 12:15

I was thinking more of the feeling of control getting out of hand for some people.
yes - I was just pointing out that 'control getting out of hand' is a sort of oxymoron.

It could be 'triggering' for susceptible people, but as you've said, so are many other 'diets'. And the issue of people pretending to be doing 5:2 (4:3/ADF) is real. If any of you know you might slip into this, try to be honest with yourself like the OP and don't touch it with a bargepole!

Gilbertus · 02/08/2013 12:15

I am doing it at the moment and am far too piggy on my non fasting days to become anorexic, however I do agree that it could pander to those with anorexic tendencies. There's a very slight element of competition... I didn't eat anything for 24 hours etc etc even though that isn't part of the actual 5:2 diet