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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:
Laska42 · 10/09/2012 08:31

chocolatespiders I haven't seen anyone here who uses slimfast , but i know that one of the experiments in fasting on Dr Mosley's programme used shakes as fast day food. I've never tried them , but I believe they are quite sweet? and I wonder if that would stimulate your appetite to e want more sweet/carby food? as I say I'm no expert on shakes , . it would seem that youd be getting the right nutrition, bi but I'm not sure if thats so important as you are only fasting for one day at a time .
personally id rather get as much taste and vareety inmy 500cals a as I can.

I usually have eggs and ham for breakfast and a big pile of veggies and a little fish at early dinner then get my 16 hours in .. but there are no real rules except the keeping to 500cal (or 600 for men) that's what's s great about this WOE. So I'd say if you like shakes to try it out one day and see how you feel ont hem.

Well I'm on an eating day today ..Having posted yesterday evening that I was fine fasting, I did have another disturbed nights sleep with tummy rumbles.. but haven't fallen into the fridge this morning. just had Greek yog and strawberries and a cup of tea so far and feeling fine this morning ..

rachelblythe · 10/09/2012 08:59

happyAvocado I am a bit confused by your post to me? In my post above yours, I was answering girlwiththemouseyhair question about using milk, where I said I use milk, count it in my calories and have still lost about 9lb. Then in your post to me, you have said that in the old post when you search under my name, it shows I was using milk and still lost weight....which is what I already said...?

rachelblythe · 10/09/2012 09:09

First fast day of week five for me. Going to try something slightly different today, which may backfire and leave me hungry. Was at a European food fayre yesterday and there were lots of wonderful food and drink stalls. One which was just a smoothie bar, I didn't have one at the time, but then wish I had. I have got some frozen berries in the freezer that I, haven't tried yet. Going to add them to some low calorie almond milk, a portion of strawberry protein shake powder (120cals!) And maybe a drop of vanilla essence. Will try and hold out until about 4pm for this if I can. Might have a portion of raw veggies to nibble on with it. Looking forward to the shake but I usually have something a bit larger in portion size that fills my belly, so will just see how it goes. I know I won't cave in and eat over my calories, just may not try this route again if it leaves me hungry.

Laska42 · 10/09/2012 09:19

Mmm feed days. ...
I'm on 2nd breakfast!!!
First was strawberries and a little Greek yoghurt , now I'm eating mushroom feta and tomato omelette..YUM!

Mind you, that will probably keep me going until dinner . when I'm planning on making a turkey and veg curry with cauliflower 'rice' ..

Since reading John Briffa I'm tending to do Low carb most days now .. save my carbs for my 'wine weekends'! (that's every weekend!)Grin

RightBuggerforGOLD · 10/09/2012 09:24

chocolatespiders - I have slimfast for breakfast a lot on fast days. I find it keeps me going, is filling and is good for being sure of calories (i'll often then have a weigtwatchers ready meal as well, then i know exactly how many cals i have had).

Fast day today, but just had tea so far. :-)*

Laska42 · 10/09/2012 09:26

rachelblythe
I havnet tried almond milk but sounds nice..Where did you get it? Is it unsweetened ? i
If you have time, please could you postthe calories fats proteins sugars carb if they are on the site of the container?
thanks Thanks

rachelblythe · 10/09/2012 10:11

Hi laska, I just got this from tesco. It's on the top shelf in a cardboard carton near the soya milk. I think most supermarkets should sell it. Nutritional info per 100ml:
Kcal: 24
Protein: 0.5g
Carbs: 3g
Fats: 1.1g
Of which saturate: 0.1g
Fibre: 0.2g

It is a nice drink on it's own, or with cereals, etc. I don't particularly enjoy it in tea or coffee though., if you like almonds though then you will probably enjoy :)

Laska42 · 10/09/2012 10:18

Great ! thanks Rachel , ill get some next time I'm shopping .. Hopefully they will have in Sainsburys .. I don't have a Tesco nearby ..

Sputnik · 10/09/2012 10:25

Another fast day for me today, this is my first fast day on my own without the kids, and I'm wondering about skipping lunch too and eating something around 4.30, will see how I feel later.

LouiseDavies · 10/09/2012 10:51

I'm starving too poached and it's the first time. Felt quite queasy for a bit and have had tea..weird but looking forward to chicken salad at around 1pm in work Smile

Aboutlastnight · 10/09/2012 11:02

another fast day. porridge with trevia and a splash of milk for breakfast, big cup of coffee.

rest of day herbal tea, black coffee and then omelette with mushrooms, peppers and spinach for tea.

coribells · 10/09/2012 11:09

Hello , have just found this thread . Am starting this diet with day one of fasting . Am definetly going to need support to get through this .
I've had some porridge for breakfast. 187 calories. Am planning on a small portion of bolognese for tea , with auberge be rather than spaghetti.
Do feel pretty hungry though , and wonder how I'll get through the day !

notso · 10/09/2012 11:29

Hello, it's been a week since I started and I have lost 2lb yay.

On the downside it's a fast day today and I'm feeling really hungry wasn't too bad last week. The casserole I've got for DC in the slow cooker isn't helping it smells so nice.

Just had oat so simple with s/s milk and water which is under 200 cals, and a cuppa.
Trying to think of a 300ish calorie tea. Just waiting for DS2 and 3 to nap then I will go for a shower and sort the laundry to distract me a bit.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 10/09/2012 11:30

cori Welcome!

You might find that it's easier to skip breakfast, or to just have coffee/tea then on your fast days. Obviously if you can't function without breakfast, then you should keep it, but I know I personally would struggle on a fast day if I'd eaten in the morning.

All I can suggest between now and dinner is to have lots of tea (keep an eye on how much milk you use!) and keep busy. :) My house has never been cleaner since I started this diet.

OP posts:
rowingboat · 10/09/2012 11:34

Hi all just checking in to cheer on the fasters today!
I'm on a normal day by which I mean cocoa pops for breakfast and a milky coffee followed by a lolly from a traditional sweet shop - which was probably a sugar lump too far for me and made me feel icky. No more lollies for breakfast!
Probably beans on whole meal toast for lunch some fruit and a stir fry for dinner.
I'm getting very confused by all the low carb stuff on here, could somebody point me in the direction of some good sources for that kind of thing - being as how I am bone idle! Smile

GreenEggsAndNichts · 10/09/2012 11:35

An eating day here so am mostly just checking up on posts. :)

I have found now that it's a very bad idea to eat anything after say, 8pm, even on a feed day, and even just a small amount. I've had two eating days (Fri, yesterday) where I had some snack around that time and when I tried to go to sleep all I could think about was what felt like a rock in my stomach. Grin

Speaking of keeping busy, I should have made today a fast day as I've got so much to do (estate agent was by earlier to measure/take pics of this house, then I've got an appt to see our new house in the afternoon after preschool dropoff) but I don't want to throw off my schedule for the rest of the week (Tues, Thurs fast days, Friday I'm off to a conference so it'll be wine o'clock somewhere..)

OP posts:
Laska42 · 10/09/2012 11:44

rowingboat check out Dr John Briffas blog and book Escape the Diet Trap lots of info there

www.drbriffa.com/

vigglewiggle · 10/09/2012 12:02

Fasting day here again.

I left breakfast as late as I could and had 2 small boiled eggs. I'll have a very light lunch and then DH is doing some sort of Jerk chicken dish for tonight. We are adopting the regime together which helps and we try to coordinate our fasting days.

The first fasting day I did (which was awful) I was working an early shift so I had my first food at 5am which I think was a mistake. I can't do without breakfast, but I find leaving it as late as possible helps.

I spend most of my fasting days dreaming about the mountain of food I'm going to eat on non-fast days, but when I wake up The following morning - I dont feel particularly hungry - much to my surprise!

katykuns · 10/09/2012 12:10

Hiya guys. I am on my first fasting day. Have only had a glass of orange juice that equalled 90 cals. Am drinking lots of water and trying to trick my body into thinking its not hungry yet! I can't stop thinking about food though lol.
Am a bit anxious about going to bed hungry!

As someone who usually consumes more calories than the recommended per day, I suspect that I am going to find this quite hard! Especially at teatime, when I have my proper meal (where I usually consume most of my calories due to our bad habit of large portion sizes!)
I shall persist, afterall its only 12pm lol

LouiseDavies · 10/09/2012 13:07

Know what you mean Green! I have had two latish meals in the past week and had awful nights sleep feeling really bloated. praps things do change with this 5:2 diet! Just back from a busy morning doing crisis intervention work so totally distracted and now just about time for lunch Smile

Laska42 · 10/09/2012 13:14

ooh yes BIWI i've read the book though.. ( a cheaper option.) so wont be going but would be interesting to hear his answers to questions.. We need to get them to get Dr Mosley along for a talk !

coribells · 10/09/2012 13:17

Thanks for the welcome, I wold find it really difficult to do without breakfast entirely. I love toast in the morning, but replacing it with porridge is probably the best I can do.

Ive made do with a small apple and diet coke for lunch.
that seems to be helping.
ive also bought a couple of slim shakes for the days I am at work, will try to have one of those for breakfast or lunch on one of my fast days.

BIWI · 10/09/2012 13:31

Well I appear to be on a fasting day Hmm! Had a cup of coffee first thing, then my Berocca drink (500ml water), another couple of glasses of water, and have just had two boiled eggs for lunch. Dinner will be a tin of tuna with mayo and salad with vinaigrette.

Tomorrow I am at the gym at 7, so will have a 'normal' low carb day for me, which will start with some yoghurt for breakfast. I'm at the gym again on Thursday, so I will probably try and make Wednesday another fast day.

rowingboat · 10/09/2012 13:32

Hi all
Thanks for the link Laksa!
Just wanted to chime in about the normal days and changes since fasting. I have been experiencing quite a bit if indigestion and nausea after fasting, not the following day but the day after. When I have a fasting day it seems to clear up.
I don't know if I have just been unlucky, but it does make me worry that I am upsetting my stomach by fasting? I sometimes find it difficult to decide what to eat on normal days, probably because I eat less well on normal days than I used to. Could be I am eating badly to make up for fasting - chocolate and rubbish, which I didn't used to do.
I think as the fasting days become more normal I will go back to healthy eating on normal eating days? Hope so!