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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:
coribells · 10/09/2012 19:49

Well, day one. I think ive gone ust over 500 cals, but not too worried about that. I hungry , but not overly so. Am planning on an early night.

do most people on here do alternate day or 5:2. ? Is there a great deal of difference in weight loss?
I am planning on doing alternate day for the first two weeks (fingers crossed)
whats the av weight loss over what length of time?

Paddington76 · 10/09/2012 19:54

Day 1 done, almost! Just had huge dinner of salmon, roasted new pots, asparagus and ratatouille for just under 500 cals so stuffed now.

Just wondered, do people eat all 2000 cals on a food day? Seems a lot to me and I don't want to eat for the sake of it but I don't want to eat too little either.

Sputnik · 10/09/2012 20:01

Hope this is just a blip wilf, keep us posted.
Massive stir-fry for dinner here, tonnes of veg and some prawns.

Laska42 · 10/09/2012 20:07

LBY Welcome back and well done on maintaining it pretty much whist in Greece. Share your holiday tips? I go to Greece every year ,, would love to know what you did on fast days

Imt hrilled to report that in 8lb down now one fast day into in week 4 .

Skinnyeye · 10/09/2012 20:15

Hi all week 2 fast day 1 and feeling fine!! My second fast last week was tough but it was close to TOM and I had a few carbs that day. Today had Morrocan lentil and carrot soup at lunch and pesto crusted cod, green beans and spinach for dinner. BBC good food has excellent low calorie recipes - I'm working my way through them lol. Cod recipe I didn't follow it exactly but it gives a starting point

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1775642/chilli-crusted-fish-with-green-beans

Laska42 · 10/09/2012 20:35

rachelblythe re vegetables
Sometimes I just eat broccoli with soy sauce spring onions ginger chilli and garlic ,or roasted cauliflower with cumin and lemon ..but how about making a veggie curry , roasted veg, ratatouille, veggie chilli, stir fry or soup ....?

I'm eating a great veggie curry right now, just chopped up cauli carrots , French beans tomatoes peppers and mushrooms cooked in stock and a spoon full of Pataks sauce (myfitness pal has 20g of pataks curry past at 60cal you could add a hard boiled egg for another 75) . I'm not fasting today so have had turkey and yoghurt with mine this evening,, but there's enough left for tomorrow or weds when I will be again

3duracellbunnies · 10/09/2012 21:03

Second fast day today. No breakfast then some salad, a tiny bit of chicken and a satsuma for lunch. Supper I had a v small portion of home made spag bol. Was impossible to know how many cal, but the sauce was mainly veg, with a little turkey mince, and a small amount of spaghetti. Looked at the garlic bread but at 166 cal/slice it will have to wait, will have to eat a bit less of that on feed days too! Dh having tooth out wed, wondering about fasting then too in solidarity! Tempted to have a small snack now, 'spent' 150 cal at lunch, don't know how much supper was but should probably be good.

katykuns · 10/09/2012 21:07

It was me that asked about the body adapting. From what I gathered in the horizon documentary, it sounded like it was less likely to happen... because the point of it is to keep your metabolism 'on its toes'...

First day of fasting almost over. I expected it to be easier than it was :S have been painfully hungry and groggy all day... hunger has passed sort of, but have a killer headache! Will be going to bed in a few mins!
I can see why it could work... if I had the prospect of doing this again tomorrow, I would probably quit lol.

My hunger probably would have been helped by sensible eating.
Had a small glass of orange juice, 2xpackets of diet crisps, 1 ham sandwich, and 2 weightwatchers cookies. I am closer to 600 cals than 500, but still... better than my typical day of eating eh?

BettyButterknife · 10/09/2012 21:16

Hi everyone, good to have found you.

I'm on day one - nearly finished, phew! Just a milky coffee for breakfast, 200 cals of porridge for lunch, and a lentil stew with broccoli and salad for supper. Not bad. Looking forward to tomorrow though.

I'm doing 45 minutes of circuit training in the park three mornings a week so trying to work out the best fast days for me. Boot camp was this morning but I wasn't very hungry so thought I might as well start today. Might try Thursday too.

Anyway, looking forward to reading everyone's recipe/meal tips.

Sputnik · 10/09/2012 21:18

yes stir fry, ratatuille, soup. When it gets a bit colder I'll try roasted, maybe with a bit of cheese. Parmigiana is really nice, yuo could adapt this recipe www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/10468/melanzane-parmigiana by using less oil and cheese to lower calories.

Slimandhappy · 10/09/2012 21:50

First fast day this week of 2nd week and feel hungry now! Had cherries this morning then 60cal cuppa soup. Delicious chicken breast with roasted veg for dinner....was delicious! Reckon I still have cals for options hot chocolate in a mo. not weighed in but def feel slimmer even though I had a week in Zante two weeks ago. Keep with it all you Monday and Tuesday fasters xx

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 11/09/2012 06:15

tis the night before next fast day for me - have planned what I'm eating tomorrow based around DC meals and activities, been on a calorie counter and made sure I had more than enough allowance for copious tea and coffee!

On the menu will be
circa 1pm (16hours after last meal) lentil and tomato stew, carrot and king prawns
circa 3:30pm (16hours before next meal) frozen yoghurt and raspberries

normal tea, jasmine tea, normal coffee - if I have 4floz of milk with these I'm still a good 60cal under 500, giving me a bit of leeway.

Trying for Pilates in the morning, just hope I have enough energy, if not will utilise my 60 calories on half a banana...

BettyButterknife · 11/09/2012 07:39

Weirdly feeling NOT ravenous this morning. And while yesterday I fantasised about eating all sorts of wonderful things I'm now feeling much more abstemious.

Meant to say, back in the 70s before they had kids my parents would fast every Monday - proper, no food at all fasts. They claimed it allowed them to indulge over the weekend and make up for it in the week, cutting down their calorie intake by 1/7. I thought they were CRAZY but perhaps jus ahead of their time :) kept the weight off!

mumblechum1 · 11/09/2012 07:50

Same here - stuck to 500 cals yesterday, was ravenous last night but then this morning (when I 'lanned to have full English breakfast), I'm happy with cereal.

And I've now lost 6lbs! yay!

poachedeggs · 11/09/2012 08:08

Yesterday was fast day 3 in 8 days (started last Monday) and I've lost 4lb! Still a long way to go but delighted with this start. I'm a binge eater if I'm honest so had some very bad eating days. It's wonderful to feel like I might be doing something to repair the damage I've inflicted on my body.

Didn't even feel up to the bacon roll I'd promised myself during last night's hunger pangs - just had toast!

BettyButterknife · 11/09/2012 09:07

I have a maths question: for the past 2 years I've been doing my fitness pal and eating 1200 calories a day. I lost 2.5 stone over the first year but since then have been gaining and losing the same 4 or 5 lbs.

If I was to do 5:2 I've calculated the following:
7 days x 1200 cals = 8400 cals/week
8400 - 1000 (2x 500 cal fast days) = 7400
7400 / 5 days = 1880 cals max per non fast day

I know the research said eat what you want on non fast days but I really don't trust myself - I am a total glutton!

Does that all sound about right?

Abra1d · 11/09/2012 09:15

Some of things people eat sound lovely! I think it's important to make your 500 calories really high quality for the fast day. I wouldn't eat diet food or spend the calories on biscuits, etc. That is not going to do your body good.

coribells · 11/09/2012 09:25

My first fast day was yesterday. I woke up this morning not feeling particulary hungry but enjoyed my toast and vegemite.
I weighed myself this morning, seems i have about 30 kilos to loose, that is so depressing SadSadSad . I really hope this works and i can stick to it

Laska42 · 11/09/2012 09:32

not sure yet if this is a fast or feed day (would normally be tomorrow but as I'm working at home today may be better ). ..will see how i feel later.. but if its a fast day afire my breakfast I only have calories left for a small egg salad...

LouiseDavies · 11/09/2012 09:48

Hi Betty I would say that sounds about right and a good plan. I have been doing the fast for 3 weeks and stayed the same weight. I'm not overly bothered as it is for the health reasons mainly due to being 52 but would like to lose around a stone to be at optimum weight. I think I will start monitoring feed days too to ensure I'm not overstuffing myself.Your calorie calculation sounds spot on for me too!

catsrus · 11/09/2012 10:00

betty -for me the great joy of this is that I can pretty much forget calories. By that I mean the kind of slavery to counting them that I associate with 'going on a diet' - I can still pretty much tell you what the calorie value of most foods are though and I use that general knowledge to guide my fast days and keep them roughly under 500. If I was going over a bit then then clearly has not been a problem as I have lost 8lb in 4 weeks. My BMI is within the normal range but I have the middle age spread problem of life post-menopause and my waist was dangerously large (see - I am saying was Grin)

I literally eat and drink what I like on normal eating days - but have found I don't want some foods and my appetite is smaller. I am paying attention to my body rather than counting the calories of what goes into it. This is a huge psychological shift for me - I don't feel deprived or that I have to be "good" or "in control" because I am "on a diet". I have permission to eat desert - and will if it is a desert that I actually want.

Sunday was a "normal" day and I went out with a friend to a food fair, I tasted all the nice samples of different foods, had lattes then went out for a Thai meal with Wine I ate what I wanted but we were both too full for desert Grin. Yesterday was a fast day and I think because of the Wine the night before I found I needed food at lunch time when I had planned not to eat until evening meal - so I had a calorie counted pack of sushi and adjusted my evening meal to be veggie soup.

It's a flexible way of eating, my fast days this week are shifting around due to meeting friends and a work lunch, but I'm increasingly confident that I've finally found something that works for me.

If you have been yo-yoing around those 4lb then it might be worth trying this as something new - and not counting calories on non fast days.

catsrus · 11/09/2012 10:04

louise have you thought about introducing an extra fast day rather than limiting calories on non fast days? I'm generally aiming for 4:3, like you had a stone to lose (though im nearer 60 than 50 Shock) and am over half way there in a month.

LouiseDavies · 11/09/2012 10:17

Hi catsrus that might be an idea. I do feel I have overeaten on my feed days almost as if I was given the go-ahead to eat the 'forbidden' stuff on those days. I loved the concept because like you I didn't want to have to calorie count on the other days although I have a very good idea of what calories are in food! As it is early days yet I will see how it goes and adjust accordingly. Well done you for doing so well! Smile

LookBehindYou · 11/09/2012 10:36

Hi Laksa, we go to Greece every year too. On the fast days I had a couple of pieces of fruit in the morning (peach, v small pear) and then something like a Greek Salad in the evening with one glass of wine, perhaps with small portion of vine leaves or 'giant beans' - something like that, on the side. I asked for extra tomato and pepper instead of feta and was light on the oil but generous with a lemon. I drank freddo expresso with no sugar which is how I like it anyway.

Paddington76 · 11/09/2012 10:47

Up day today after first fast day yesterday but I am so hungry. I have had my usual porridge with ff yogurt and berries which would normally do me fine til lunch but I could eat and eat today!

Anybody else get this? Was hoping for the Zen-like calm others had reported rather than a binge waiting to happen.

Also slept dreadfully last night. Not sure if this is the diet or not.