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Fasting / 5:2 diet

Talk about intermittent fasting and 5:2, including what’s worked for others. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

5:2 Diet Thread: Part Three. Come join us!

986 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 07/09/2012 15:51

The continuing thread for those of us following either the 5:2 diet or the alternate-day fasting diet. Both are two versions of Intermittent Fasting, which you can read more about here.

The 5:2 diet was featured on Horizon recently, and essentially requires you to fast for 2 non-consecutive days per week. The other 5 days, you can eat what you like. Alternate-day fasting is just how it sounds; you fast every other day. By "fasting", we mean that we keep our calorie consumption very low, around 500 calories on average, on those days.

Here is a list of the links we've gathered so far about this diet. I hope I haven't left many out, but it was a 40 page thread! This is a good start for anyone, though:

First things first, here is a link to our previous thread, which we've outgrown. Lots of good support and ideas still to be found there.

Here is the link to the BBC article regarding Michael Mosley's findings, which was featured on Horizon.

is a link to the first part of the aforementioned Horizon, subsequent parts of that episode are linked on that page.

There is a Wiki article here which explains intermittent fasting and gives a short summary of some studies which have been done on it.

A blog post here gives some of the scientific explanation for why this way of eating helps you to not only lose weight, but improve your all-around health.

A Telegraph article which comments on the diet and gives a brief overview.

A study discussed here gives commentary specifically addressing the effect of this diet on obese people (both men and women), with regard to both health and weight loss. ("After 8 weeks of treatment, participants had an average 12.5 lbs reduction in body weight and a 4 cm decrease in waist circumference. Total fat mass declined by about 12 lbs while lean body mass remained relatively constant.) it also mentions "Plasma adiponectin, a protein hormone that is elevated in obesity and associated with heart disease, dropped by 30%. As did LDL cholesterol (25%) and triglycerides (32%).")

Important link if you are currently your ideal BMI: this appears to suggest the benefits for women at a lower BMI might not be seeing the same health benefits that are found on men at their ideal BMI.

And for those already fasting, here is a link to 100 snacks under 100 calories. :)

Another food link, here is a link to the BBC Goof Food site, with a list of low-calorie soups.

I will start a different thread just for recipe links, though, as there seems to be some demand for that.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have been contributing, btw. Most of us are new to this diet. All of the links above have been posted by others in our previous thread, and they've been very helpful. Sorry if I haven't given credit where it's due, but it was just enough of a job getting them all in one post this afternoon. Wink

Come join us, and tell us about your experiences with this diet!

OP posts:
tumbletumble · 14/09/2012 18:17

My fourth fasting day, and for the first time I didn't manage it - not because I was hungry, I just couldn't resist a slice of the carrit cake my friend brought round. Cross with myself! Angry

Will try to fast for an extra day next week (ie 3 instead of 2). Can't do it this weekend as I'm going to a friend's 40th on Sat, and doing a triathlon on Sun!

Skinnyeye · 14/09/2012 18:47

Hi all eating day today and totally over did it Sad Pizza Hut Buffet lunch. Fortunately my body rejected most of it IYKWIM!! Not pleasant lesson learned Buffets are out of bound from now on

LookBehindYou · 14/09/2012 19:00

I don't think high protein is the aim. Moseley says that your food should be largely plant based.

Dosey · 14/09/2012 19:00

Hi ladies, I am just checking in, I have been doing 5:2 since the start of the original thread which is about a month ago I think, I have lost count of my fasting days because it all just seems normal to me now. I must say as well as loosing about 9lbs, my cellulite has toned up and my skin is looking fab. Also my concentration levels at work have increased loads. The only thing I suffer with is huge sugar cravings in feed days. They are really bad but I am trying to tackle them head on!!!

I have had a fast day today but ended up eating chocolate cake at my mums today. My mum has no idea that I am doing this, she thinks you should eat three hearty meals a day' with massive slices of cake in between whether you are hungry or not.....bless her!!!! I calculated the cake to be about 280 slices then I had a hot dog for tea (hot dogs sausages only have 50 calories' and the bread bun scanned on MFP as 160). So despite a very unhealthy fasting day I have managed to stick to 500 calories.

Hoping to have a very healthy eating day tomorrow.

Abs0187 · 14/09/2012 19:08

Hello! Hope you don't mind me joining. I've been reading this thread & all your posts religiously and thought I would finally say hello!
I've been doing 4:3 for 2 weeks now and have lost 7lbs! :D so happy as is this the only diet I have found I can stick to easily. Usually the minute I say I am on a diet I feel like I am depriving myself and cave in a few days in. On my fast days I eat my breakfast before work (cereal) and then I will have a low fat yoghurt and a cupa soup for lunch. I try not to eat after 1pm. I find that's the best method for me as I have to have brekky in the mornings! :) I find that I feel better on my fast days, and when I wake up on my feed days I am not even hungry! :)
I want to lose weight as I am backpacking se Asia in 3 weeks and the thought of getting into a bikini again is freaking me out :/
I definately can see this diet as a long term option for me, even of its just 6:1 or something.
Well done to all you ladies (and few gents) who are also following this diet, I look forward to all your updates every day!

TalkinPeace2 · 14/09/2012 19:31

Look Where does the research say that? I have no intention of becoming a vegan
His fasting meals seemed to comprise a lot of eggs and salmon
Skinny that is a valuable lesson well learned - grazing is clearly the most dangerous!

WhatYouLookingAt · 14/09/2012 19:35

He definitely said that in the programme, about plants not protein, I only watched it yesterday.

HappyOrchid · 14/09/2012 19:36

Having watched programme and checked out research online, it does recommend a lower protein intake on feed days.

Suddenly remembered that there were some chicken Oxo cubes in the cupboard today. I nkow they're quite salty, but low in calories 8kcal per cube and make a nice change from a cup of tea. Just the thing to stave off hunger pangs on a fast day.

TalkinPeace2 · 14/09/2012 19:44

Here's a silly thought - several people are doing REALLY well, others are trying to get their heads around the whole thing.

I am quite happy to take and post pictures of my meals (with a pound coin on the side of the plate for scale) so that we can get out heads around portion sizes and dietary mixes

anybody else up for that? - and if they are on our names then they will follow us around the various threads.

captainmummy · 14/09/2012 19:49

DP andI have been low-carbing for a while now - and I did a fast day without telling him on tuesday.. He went to the gym last night and spoke to a mate who was in hospital for 3 weeks - and they did a 6.1 on him! Dunno what he was is for, but he says he feels great, and is continuing the 6;1.

So i told dp about my fast, and he is going to try maintaining with the low-carb, but fast 6;1 with me. Only debate now is I want to do tuesdays and wants mondays........

WhatYouLookingAt · 14/09/2012 19:55

I'd love to see pics, I'm really struggling with the idea of knowing sizes and portions etc.

Mintyy · 14/09/2012 20:00

I am not at all into the idea of taking pictures of our meals with a pound coin alongside for scale as that comes across as freakishly obsessive to me.

I will refrain from joining that spin-off thread if that's ok and trundle along quietly according to the very simple "rules" outlined in the original programme.

mumblechum1 · 14/09/2012 20:02

If anyone's interested I can recommend Sainsburys's Chicken Biryani ready meal - 319 Calories , filling and bloody delicious. Lots of veg in it too! Had it for tea (this is my fast day) and it was v filling.

WilfSell · 14/09/2012 21:03

Yeah, I don't like pinning it down too much either. I've fasted all day until 6pm and now I'm on 'normal' eating, which for a friday night means white wine and a big bag of Revels Grin

I. Don't. Care.

No food is 'bad', the point for me is to moderate and restrict. For dinner tonight DH and I had salmon pasta and a mahoosive plate of roasted veg. V nutritious. And if I couldn't eat my nice things, I would go mad. The cost is losing weight slowly but I'm on week 8 now I think and I am totally planning to keep going as a lifestyle choice.
BTW I have moved to one meal a day on proper fast days - or at least one short eating period. I find I am better if I have nothing between 10pm one night and then about 4-6pm the next day. Works well for me. I have also cut down on milk too - was following the Harvie/Genesis recommendations when I started out.

fruitpastille · 14/09/2012 21:16

Feeling a bit fed up that i haven't lost any weight to speak of after 3 weeks doing 4.3. My weight is generally pretty static..i don't lose it easily but i can be quite greedy and not gain much either. My scales have fluctuated between 10.5 and 10.1 but most of the time are stuck at 10.3. I must admit that over the last few weeks there have been take aways and meals out but i have been very careful on fasting days. I am doing Mon, wed, Fri and it is fine, although i am finding harder back at work after the holidays. Not sure teaching is best done on tea and miso! Being observed Monday so may have to have breakfast that day. Normally i just have a cuppa and wait for lunch when i have prawn salad and diet coke.

Seriously tempted to have vino as i know i have gone a bit over today already and feel like i may as well!

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 14/09/2012 21:32

really good to hear the daily updates to kick myself into action.

Absolutely knackered thanks to DD waking at 5:20am, using my brain for a 2hour driving lesson on a freeway, walked half an hour to the YMCA pushing two DC in buggy, 20mins bike, 30mins swimming, another half hour walk home (in 35degree heat)....thank god it's an eating day so I can replenish.

Mainly for my own records: jasmine tea and scrambled eggs with pesto for breakfast, seeds bar thingy before gym, ham, cheese, carrots and sweetcorn for lunch. Trying to eat healthily the rest of the day as we're going away this weekend and will be getting a drive by burger for dinner and def a big glass of wine when we arrive in the moutains!

BuntCadger · 14/09/2012 21:53

Agog that hotdog sausages only contain 50 calories! Am going to have to get some of those, be nice sliced up in a leafy salad.

I'm going to try another fast day tomorrow as that'll be then 4:3. Had to change from Wednesday and Friday to Tuesday and Thursday so I've had a feed day today. Had yummy deep pan loaded cheese pizza. Going to do Tuesday and Friday fast days next week and then hopefully back to Wednesday and Fridays.

I got wii fit for my birthday in 2010, I am the lightest I've been since having ds2 (4.5 years) and I've had dd (almost 11m). I am hoping to go back to what I was pre ds1 (12y) which is size 8 bottom and 10/12 top. I'm only 5'3 and a bit. Am 10s4lb size 12 bottom (though the are getting baggy Grin) and large bust so 16 top but again feeling looser. I was 34/36 J but pre dc I was a 34dd. I am very much hoping I can return to that size too.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 14/09/2012 21:57

crikey, by the end of today I'll have walked 6miles in the blistering heat pushing 2DC in a buggy...no wonder I'm knackered

rachelblythe · 14/09/2012 22:22

Fast day for me. Been up since 5 with ds. won't get to bed until at least 11 with all i need to get finished tonight. Been a long day. Had one meal of chilli con carni at 4 pm which was nice and rest of cals in milk for tea and coffee. Not hungry still. Find fast days easy now as long i have done my preporation and know exactly what I'm having to eat. When i fail to plan,fast days are much harder

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 15/09/2012 02:59

Signing off til Monday - off for the weekend eating BBQ and drinking wine. Fasting Monday Wink

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 15/09/2012 02:59

Have a lovely weekend everyone

ThinkICan · 15/09/2012 03:35

WilfSell - Hi! What are the low carb foods you eat to get cancer-prevention benefits? Quinoa, rice, wheat, oats - all of them seem to have the same amounts of carb. Thanks for the Harvie/Genesis diet you speak about. Learning so much from all of you. lol

2012fan · 15/09/2012 09:02

Three cheers Wilfsell and Mintyy!! I. don't. care. either. The weight still comes off. My 'little' treat yesterday was steak pudding chips and gravy and I'm into my size 10 skinny jeans this morning. If I remember rightly Dr Mosley himself said it didn't seem to matter if your eating days were mainly carb or fat (or in my case both...) Grin

Dosey · 15/09/2012 09:21

Morning just broke my fast with my favourite breakfast of granola and yoghurt . Lovely. I am carbing up today as I am doing the great north run tomorrow. Good excuse to indulge in chocolate too Wink

WilfSell · 15/09/2012 09:55

ThinkICan, I don't usually bother with carbs at all on fasting days, except the few you get in vegetables. A typical fasting day for me looks a bit like this

nothing all day except lots of tea and one cup of coffee about mid-day then
4pm Miso soup
5.30pm Apple/plum/handful of berries - I know fruit is a bit more carby but as I only have one piece it doesn't worry me
7pm salad with chicken
9pm hot milk

Or

4pm bouillon/Bovril
5.30pm 10 almonds
7pm stirfry veg with strips of beef

So I don't bother with any carb-substitutes or high protein carbs like quinoa. I'm used to low carbing anyway and this is also a low cal day anyway. If I was low carbing proper it would be much higher in cals (because of high fat stuff like butter, cream, more protein etc) - but then I wouldn;'t be fasting!
I can manage this easily because once I'm fasting, I don't feel hungry, which is the same as I feel when cutting out carbs. If I had porridge for breakfast on a fasting day, I'd feel hungry all day. Today is a feed day. I've just had two pieces of toast and now I'm thinking about what I can eat next. Carbs beget carbs, in my experience. Grin

Works for me.