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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:
Skinnyeye · 18/09/2012 20:01

Hi all fast week 3 and fast day 5 for me. I've been managing to get 2 16 hour fasts on a fast day. For example ...

Monday dinner
Tuesday 500 cals (split between lunch and dinner)
Lunch on Wednesday

Is anyone else doing this?

catsrus · 18/09/2012 20:09

well today was going to be an eating day - so I had some fresh figs for breakfast but then was so busy at work I never got out for lunch, so decided to make it a fast day.... made some healthy sort-of-ratatouille (no tinned tomatoes in the house!!! aghh how did that happen???Angry) with a huge amount of courgettes, aubergine, pepper and mushrooms. Had it with a baked potato and a big slash of a lovely hot sauce on top.

And now I'm settling down to watch "The Great British Bake off" Grin... oh and the office sceptic now has yet another friend doing this and when I said I was 3 notches in on my belt she decided to cancel her WW membership and give it a go Smile

GreenEggsAndNichts · 18/09/2012 20:16

Skinny yes I also manage to get two 16 hr fasts, though I don't bother with lunch, I just save calories for dinner/ milk for coffees throughout the day.

OP posts:
BuntCadger · 18/09/2012 20:26

The night before a fast I have boring to eat or drink after 9.30pm and I don't eat till lunch on fast. Works for me, regular weight and inch loss :-)

BuntCadger · 18/09/2012 20:27

The night before a fast I have nothing to eat or drink after 9.30pm and I don't eat till lunch on fast. Works for me, regular weight and inch loss :-)

ILoveLemonCurd · 18/09/2012 20:36

Well I've got through today. It felt easier til mid afternoon then I cracked and ate a low cal chewy bar for 79 calories but forgot to add it to mfp Shock so my dinner was already prepared and I ate it all and then realised that damn chewy bar pushed me up to 604 calories. Boohoo.

To top it all my daughter came back from Brownies with warm, fresh from the oven JAM TARTS! Good Lord, give me strength. But I am proud to announce I RESISTED .

Right enough procrastinating, I have a date with Jillian to burn off the offending 79 calories. RIPPED LEVEL TWO HERE I COME.....

I think I am getting slightly giddy Confused

loulou969 · 18/09/2012 20:52

What does everyone reckon on the fruit flavoured sparkling waters (sugarfree) available? Good choice or not? Hmm

TalkinPeace2 · 18/09/2012 20:55

Look at the cost per litre.
Buy plain sparking water and add your own lemon juice or teeny bits of squash concentrate.
Anything sugar free is messing with your insulin control system.

MamaChocoholic · 18/09/2012 21:16

Hi everyone, today was my first fast day, kinda. I managed a little over 550 cals, and a 16 hour fast, but caved this evening and had a small bowl of porridge (no milk) or I think I would be too hungry to sleep tonight. Still feel hungry and a bit spacey. Hope I will sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation means I can't risk hunger as well as babies keeping me awake.

The day hasn't been too bad, but prob hit 800 cals in total. Am seriously hoping it gets easier. No idea how those of you who do a double 16 hour fast manage it, but well done!

Sputnik · 18/09/2012 21:25

Don't stress, it'll get easier.
I dread the prospect of going to sleep hungry, which is why I hold out as long as I can during the day, but try and have a decent dinner. I was doing lunch and dinner about 250 cals each, but last fast day I skipped lunch too then had a snack of plain yogurt, berries and a few almonds in the afternoon. Then curry for dinner.

hoops997 · 18/09/2012 21:28

mama it was my first fast day today too, I know what you mean about the spacey feeling but strangly I feel quite good too...I managed 469 cals and won't eat again until lunch tomorrow.

I have drank nearly 3 litres of water today and have been pissing like a racehorse! Grin

DisorderlyNights · 18/09/2012 21:37

Aww, thanks for the hug Pooky.

I find the afternoon hardest, on fast days. Unless I'm super busy, which unfortunately today I wasn't. By the evening I've got the high, and it's not that long til breakfast.

So far I've had no problem sleeping on fast days, in fact, I go to bed early and get a great night sleep.

TellMeLater · 18/09/2012 21:37

Do artificial sweeteners cause an insulin spike?

TalkinPeace2 · 18/09/2012 21:46

www.webmd.com/diet/features/diet-sodas-and-weight-gain-not-so-fast?page=3

Discussion and analysis of research
pointing out that sugar free sweet things train the body to seek out real sweet things and GRAB at their sugars
therefore it is better to train your system to not need as much sweet stuff and therefore not be ready to digest sugars at all times

Sputnik · 18/09/2012 21:47

I sleep well too, but DH has had some problems.

ILoveLemonCurd · 18/09/2012 21:56

Jillian done. Jam frickin' tarts in tact.

My day is done, roll on tomorrow ......

On the subject of sleep, I go through episodes of insomnia and am right in the middle of one now. I wake early and can't drift off. This is worse after a fast day, so in the interests of health I sometimes add a few calories to try to help with sleep and don't feel guilty about it. Last night I ate tea at 6pm then fasted til lunch. I didn't sleep well so might allow myself something before bed as if I don't sleep tonight I will be a danger to myself!! But it won't be a jam tart.

TellMeLater · 18/09/2012 22:04

I will have insomnia if I eat carbs - sugar or starch, in the evening.

BuntCadger · 18/09/2012 22:07

Can I join virtuous? I opened up dd's easter egg for her and ds2 after lunch, dd's at the "shove food in mummy's mouth" stage. She didn't shove chocolate in my mouth tho but did with done ham at dinners time Grin (I didn't eat it).

Aftereightsaremine · 18/09/2012 22:08

Non fast day today for me & I fancied cadburys chocolate I ate quite a bit until I realised that I wasn't enjoying it at all. Clearly my taste buds are adapting, I can't say I've ever had this problem before.

I noticed unthread someone talking about intermediate days & wondered what they are if anyone can help.

BuntCadger · 18/09/2012 22:15

aftereight was the same for me. I could taste the fat in it. I have copious amounts stashed around the house too and I really don't want it.... The thorntons Easter egg in the fridge tho is another matter Wink in all honesty, I'd probably hate it too

Aftereightsaremine · 18/09/2012 22:23

I did feel quite sad about it though bunt, I'd been looking forward to it alllll day!

Sputnik · 18/09/2012 22:27

I just have to ask Bunt, how come you've got a house full of easter eggs in september Grin

BuntCadger · 18/09/2012 23:30

Only 2 Easter eggs (well 1 and 3/4 now). They are dd and she was far too young at Easter probably still is and the thorntons will go out of date. Can't waste it.

My house is full of bars of dairy milk...

katykuns · 18/09/2012 23:32

third fast day tomorrow. Wish me luck as I have a stinking cold!

I have set it so I am doing Wed & Fri as fasting on night shifts is just too hard

rowingboat · 18/09/2012 23:57

Hi all having an normal eating day today, but it has been a complete binge to the point where I feel sick. I think I have eaten too many sweet things and feel very disappointed.
This is the first week where I have attempted 4:3 and the last fast was a bit of a nightmare. I didn't really prepare lost track of and spent the day, driving and woke up last night at 2am feeling awful and had to eat something. Today has kind of spiralled from waking up and been a sugar fest. I'm really just on here for a moan because I feel so disappointed about the past two days.
4:3 is not really working for me, but it could have been bad timing?
I have another fast tomorrow to complete the three, so hope that goes better followed by a weigh in on Thursday.
If I haven't lost weight on Thursday I might change tack. For me this is a weight loss and health exercise, but I want to lose the weight first so am considering a low calorie diet (but not 500) like 1200 or something manageable for a few weeks, then returning to fasting afterwards.
I have done 5 weeks of 5:2 and did seem to lose at least 5 lbs (probably more but didn't have scales for a couple of weeks) but fear I have plateaud.
Sorry I am being gloomy, hopefully will be back to normal tomorrow.