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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:
poachedeggs · 10/09/2012 13:35

Mmmmmmmmmm lunch at last! Busy morning at work but a few tummy grumbles. I've just had a bowl of soup and two Ryvita and between that and two cups of tea I've only got 160 calories left for dinner! Broccoli it is. I'll be delighted at the prospect by 6pm I'm sure. :)Mmmmmmmmmm lunch at last! Busy morning at work but a few tummy grumbles. I've just had a bowl of soup and two Ryvita and between that and two cups of tea I've only got 160 calories left for dinner! Broccoli it is. I'll be delighted at the prospect by 6pm I'm sure. :)

Mintyy · 10/09/2012 13:41

Fast day for me. I am having prawn salad tonight - Co-Op has fresh jumbo prawns half price at £3 per pack instead of £6 if anyone interested.

I was really interested to read that piece about breakfast earlier. I am resolutely not a breakfast person. By 12/1pm I am just as hungry if I have eaten breakfast than if I haven't. I like the fact that this fasting thing gives you permission to not eat breakfast because generally I am made to feel that one of the reasons I am so overweight is because I don't tuck into an extra 300 or so calories every morning Hmm. I am not a snacker or grazer, either (in the morning) - so eating breakfast certainly doesn't stop me doing that.

Hooray for no breakfasts say I!

happyAvocado · 10/09/2012 13:51

I am happy with no breakfast ;)
so the're were 3 black coffees
then heinz tomato soup, 4 light laughing cows , 6 almonds and diet coke for lunch

I feel I could burst now

mrsdrb · 10/09/2012 14:42

week 4 day 1 of fasting here, slightly despondent as I seem to have regained some of the weight I lost last week, possibly as I over-eagerly weighed myself the day after a fast last week; also had 3 meals out last week and probably over ate; and also feel slightly bloated (more fruit needed).

Overall I have lost 2lb since I started. This week I am trying one meal a day on fast days, previous to this I was spreading the calories between breakfast and tea.

I have been drinking lots of decaf coffee today, don't feel too hungry, last ate around 10pm last night. Having mint lamb kebabs for tea with veg.

rosemarysage · 10/09/2012 14:52

Hi Tell Me Later, I meant to reply to this post you had on the other thread:

YES! I found the fast day I did a few days before my period very hard, but didn't realise it might be this until my period started. Once my period started I found the fast days ok, and have actually done 3 fasting days during that week.

In my case it wasn't so much hunger as feeling weak that was the problem on the PMT fast-day (though this is complicated by the fact that I have a long-term health condition that makes me feel weak anyway, so I didn't immediately make the connection).

I was thinking of easing off a bit in the few days before my period except that I am a bit irregular, and sometimes am PMTish for a week and other times just for a few days, so it would be hard to tell exactly when this was going to be. Maybe I will be able to tell by my reaction to fasting, once I get more used to it? I suppose it will be easier as well once I am down to one day a week fasting.

captainmummy · 10/09/2012 14:52

Ok you've persuaded me! I'm going to do a fast day tomorrow for the 1st time! I've been low-carbing for a while now, but seem to lose/gain the same couple of pounds, and I'm hoping this will kick-start my metabolism, tho i only have about 4-5 lbs to go.

I probab;y can't do 4;3, or even 5:2 tho, I wonder if 6:1 will do any good?

I'm at work i the morning then will do a house-blitz to keep busy, and bath and early bed.... get the day over with as soon as poss!

muriella · 10/09/2012 15:06

Hi all - hope everyone's doing good today? Thanks for all the links, info and inspiration everyone's been posting. Really great stuff. :)

First fast day for me today after a week off the wagon and it's less painful than I was expecting. 2 coffees (with milk - I'm counting 20 cals each) and a cup of chicken soup (50 cals). Tonight I'm looking forward to a tuna omlette and lots of veggies.

I was wondering, has anyone tried doing consecutive days, and if so have you found that easier or harder to manage? It feels like maybe it could be easier but I don't know...?

TellMeLater · 10/09/2012 15:19

Interesting that you have had a similar reaction rosemary. Today is the first fast I've done since the kids went back to school and it's been a lot easier not having to dish up food, on what seems like a constant basis.

Food today

Breakfast: Coffee
Lunch: total yoghurt and 1 blackberry
Dinner: minute steak with roasted mushrooms, courgettes & green beans

LookBehindYou · 10/09/2012 15:58

Hello girls! Am back from sunny Greece. I continued the fast days while I was there (roughly) and have lost 4kg. Am chuffed to bits!

I see lots of new names. Great stuff. Am going to have a read through this thread.

Sputnik · 10/09/2012 16:11

I found the fast day before my period quite difficult, hungrier than normal. Interestingly I used to get strong carb cravings, but cutting carbs generally seems to have helped that.

Just had a 2% total yohurt and a handful of blueberries, very nice and about 120 cals

muriella · 10/09/2012 16:45

Forgot to mention - apols if this site has been posted already but I'm enjoying reading these experiences of people on 5:2 (as well as the posts here, obv). Some of the "guinea pigs" update more than others but they're all interesting nonetheless.

weeatthings.com/category/the-52-diet-mickeys-journey

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 10/09/2012 16:59

it's really good seeing how everyone is doing, keeps the motivation up!

yesterday's fasy day went well in the end. DH and DS had ice creams in the eening and DS kept asking me to lick the drips as it melts faster than he can eat it, made me feel so so sick!

Very rumbly tummy when I went to bed but didn't eel hungry.

Woke this am and managed half a bowl of cereal then felt a bit sick, still feel queasy after a boiled egg - anyone else get this? Ended up doing 16hours either side of eating yesterday which seemed to work

Paddington76 · 10/09/2012 17:01

I'm on my first fast day now, so far just had three black decaf coffees and am having a cup of Bovril while my DS has his tea at the minute.

I am planning on having salmon, new pots and veg for my one meal at about 7.30pm, which will be 24 hrs after my last food.

I am just a but confused about the whole protein/carb thing though. Is it ok to have both as I notice lots of people are going low carb. And if I had 500cals of protein based meals would that not be way too much protein as per what was said on the Horizon programme?

Sorry fort he long post, I am an all or nothing dieter so always worry I am getting it wrong.

beamme · 10/09/2012 17:11

paddington I love a cup of Bovril on my fast days, makes me feel like I've eaten a meal iykwim

Mintyy · 10/09/2012 17:18

Grrrr, fasting today and just about to help the dc make home made pizza for their dinner Hmm - there's no denying that I am feeling hungry!

Am consoling myself with the thought of baking cheese scones tomorrow ...

Clumsymum · 10/09/2012 17:20

URGENT HELP PLEASE ...
Can anyone tell me how many calories in roasted sweet potatoes.

Doing roast veg with steamed fish tonight. want to include some sweet potato, but can't work out how much to do.

RevealYourselfTinySongstress · 10/09/2012 17:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TalkinPeace2 · 10/09/2012 17:36

Clumsy as per fitday.com 100g of boiled sweet potato is 114 calories

WeShouldOpenABar · 10/09/2012 18:17

I'm going to join too if thats ok, first fast day today and ive had a yoghurt milky coffee two bowls of campbells low fat tomato soup and a cracker,

I dont feel hungry , though i did this morning and earlier then i would usually experience hunger so i think i was expecting to be starving and talked myself into it

I'm planning monday and wednesday as fast days and friday sometimes depending on my social life

GreenEggsAndNichts · 10/09/2012 18:24

Mintyy If I'm honest, I get through a lot of fast days by planning a nice baking project for the next day. :) I made courgette and cheese muffins today.

OP posts:
Clumsymum · 10/09/2012 18:53

Thanks TalkinPeace

WilfSell · 10/09/2012 19:01

Someone [sorry, can't face scrolling back and finding out who Grin] asked had anyone been doing this a long time and has the body adapted?

Hmmm, I dunno. Have been frustrated this weekend. I've been weighing every day and tracking the results. There is - beware newbies - a LOT of variation. But each week I have lost between 0.5-1.5lbs on a weekly basis. I eat normally on a Sunday mostly and take Monday morning as my official weight. But this week, despite doing 2.5 fast days, I gained a lb and it wasn't my period (that was last week).

When I read the post about adapting I suddenly worried since I've been doing it about 8 weeks now and the curve has gone from fairly peaky up and down to pretty flat. I don't think I am particularly eating differently from the first week, so may have to adapt things a bit further perhaps...

I hope the body doesn't adapt so easily... I am not sure I am ready for a new exercise regime yet! I have been walking a bit more this week but I really doubt I've built any muscle Blush the speed I walk...

TellMeLater · 10/09/2012 19:22

Minute Steak with roasted veg planned for dinner, I calculated the calorie content of the veg, everything was measured out, left the steak with the oilspray with dh and instruction to spray the steak - he took a strop About my instructions so I left him to it. It was lovely, in fact it was better than most steaks I've had, and then I discovered the pan.....the bugger had forgotten we were doing fasting today rather than low carbing and had bathed the steak in oil and butter....I must have been in denial as I greedily ate every bite Sad no idea how far over the 500 it has pushed me - I know it's not the end of the world, but it's frustrating to have made all the effort of being hungry and weighing counting and cooking only to discover you might as well not have bothered!

rachelblythe · 10/09/2012 19:44

my fast day has gone well. Held out until around 4 pm before eating anything, then had a fruit smoothie and a small portion of spinach and a beef in tomatoes dish. I'm starting to run out of ideas for healthy, tasty dinners. I 'spend' around 400 calories in one meal, rest go on liquids. Salads have turned boring for now. When some of you ladies say you just have veggies, is that quite literal? Don't you have any sauces, etc? How do you cook them, boil, roast, fry? i had some nice stir frys recently. Need some inspiration

TalkinPeace2 · 10/09/2012 19:47

had huge Sunday lunch yesterday - no supper - still too full.
No breakfast. Bowl of soup (130 calories) for lunch , chicken caesar salad for supper.
Nothing till morning now.