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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 Six! Now's the time to de-lurk and chat with us..

984 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 25/10/2012 12:49

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 in August, 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 we've filled several threads by now. Please share if you find something particularly useful, and we'll add it for the next thread.

First things first, here are links to some of our previous threads: most recent one before that another one.

Another thread which breadandwine has started is a good resource for some of the links and tips that get lost in these big threads. In addition to sharing links, we try to condense some of our top tips for fasting there. Keep in mind, we all do this differently, so these are just tips, not rules.

frenchfancy has a recipe thread over here, please post any low-calorie recipes there so they don't get lost in these bigger threads!

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.

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. We tend to favour lots of hot drinks during the day (count your milk if you use it!)

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

We mentioned BMR and TDEE often. Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) quantifies the number of calories you burn in a day. This measure is best estimated by scaling your Basal Metabolic Rate to your level of activity. TDEE is critical in tailoring your nutrition plan to desired fitness goals. Here is a link to a calculator to help you figure out how many calories you should be eating in a day.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have been contributing, btw. Most of us are learning this way of eating as we go along. All of the links above have been posted by others in our previous threads, 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:
TalkinPeace2 · 05/11/2012 15:16

skippy
to my knowledge the 16 hour thing is very much still at the apocryphal rather than the empirical stage
the main use of it is for those who have been used to 'topping up' every hour or two - 16 hours feels more feasible than 24 - especially for those of us still have to fix meals for non fasting children etc
and its a practical way to realise that hunger pangs are not the end of the world.

I suspect that by the time we are on thread #96, the data will be flooding in - MUCH to the annoyance of the food and diet industries Grin

GreenEggsAndNichts · 05/11/2012 15:23

oh oh Laska that looks very nice and flattering! AND it's in one of my favourite colours. Envy Now am left pondering whether or not I have a need for a new dress this season...

I forgot to mention, but I made a lovely chicken and chorizo paella while my inlaws were here. No seafood (so not really a paella, but for lack of a better word for it...) but it was amazing. Very simple. It's not a fast day recipe, so I'm not sure I should put it in that thread, but I thought I'd share as it was just so good. And easy. Shall be making it again soon.

OP posts:
OHforDUCKScake · 05/11/2012 15:42

Wow that dress is lush!! I love it, get it.

squoosh · 05/11/2012 15:51

Hi everyone.

I've just done my first week of 5:2. I fasted from 7pm till 7pm on both days. First fast day was easy peasy as I was in work and just kept myself very busy. Second fast day, yesterday, not so easy as I was massively hungover which is usually when the carbs start doing a singing dancing routine to get my attention. Still, I managed fine and my home is now very tidy!

I ate my 500cals as one meal rather than stretching them out over the course of the day.

All seems fine so far, suspiciously so, I'll see how I get on. Smile

Thelittlestranger · 05/11/2012 15:53

Like the dress Laska! I'm holding out buying some new clothes until I'm comfortable in size 14. Few more weeks to go.

Grreeneggs, if you've got this far without a 'stay the same' you're doing well! Stay strong, it will continue if you bear with it...

Well, slight change of plan...the stir fry veg was too old. Luckily I have some chilli non carne in the freezer I can indulge in. I've also lost my peeler, so can't make any soup...the best intentions, etc, etc,

So far today i've had 3 cherry tomatoes, 1 tomato and half a slice of ham.

42 doughnuts in a row would be some accomplishment, even whilst breast feeding!

Thelittlestranger · 05/11/2012 16:02

And just to add, I've cooked that exact paella before Greeneggs...yum!

starlady · 05/11/2012 16:12

Anyone ... it's my first day today - just had tea and 2 coffees with minimal milk. Am planning on having waitrose spag with meatballs in a at 507 calories. Not as healthy as other options I've read about ... but would prefer to have as little to do with food as pos. Opinions anyone?

squoosh · 05/11/2012 16:15

That's what I did yesterday starlady, I had a Sainsbury's prawn tikka masala at just under 500. If I'm starvacious I just want to stick something in the oven rather than faff around reading the nutritional tables on ten different items and weighing things out

Trills · 05/11/2012 16:24

I find bought low-cal soups (the posh fresh kind) are good in a don't-want-to-think situation.

Liberty132 · 05/11/2012 16:32

Third fast day today. First where I am at work all day though. Was worried this morning as I had a very stressful drive in and was very aware that I was hungry - think it was purely stress as I have managed to get through to now with only having a 72 cal bowl of homemade veg soup at 1.15pm today.

For ease I have a WW ready meal at home but so far a fairly ok day.

Head is a little light and fuzzy, but that could well be the head cold and or the fact it is the first day of the new half term. I do have low blood presure.

I plan to have a swim tonight. Thursday was a disaster in the gym. Couldnt do my normal high temp circuits class. I really hope that was the head cold and not the fast as my hubby and I do the gym together.

Interestingly no one at work has commented that I have not been eating. We have a night out tomorrow which I am looking foward to. Dont have to chose uber healthy options, but can chose what I fancy instead.

Next fast day is Wednesday. Have Guides on a Wednesday so that will keep me busy in the evening.

As a life long breakfast eater, I can not believe how much eating breakfast makes me hungry. I ate at 1.15pm to stop my head from hurting but tummy wise I could have lasted much longer.

What c**p we are fed - always eat breakfast, eat little and often - really hope i can keep this up.

Still loving the control.

latersx

frenchfancy · 05/11/2012 16:50

I think a ready meal is fine, but I personally would steer clear of pasta. I would be hungrier after I ate it, which rather defeats the point.

starlady · 05/11/2012 16:52

Thanks squoosh. Feeling a bit guilty as I should really grill some salmon!!

This is my first day, and I feel fantastic. What i can't believe, is how clear-headed I feel. I have accomplished work-wise in a few hours what would usually have taken me a day and a half. AND I've done yoga and power walk.

For me. it's fear of diabetes and alzheimers which is seriously motivating me. I agree with Liberty123's opinion on breakfast. I love food, and as someone who many moons ago was too thin (and hated it), this 5:2 thing is counter-intuitive. But once you don't eat anything, it's fine (am saving my allowance for a meal in an hour)

Mind you ... not sure how I'd fare with hangover/ or first few days of period ....

starlady · 05/11/2012 16:53

Ah frenchfancy .. I worried that would be the case!

applefalls · 05/11/2012 16:53

Am just so inspired by you ladies! Though I too did a frightened double take at 42 doughnuts. Also hate them. 42 quiches, no problem.

Got an injury so can't run, trying 4:3 as I am housebound, today's soup is tom yum, so easy and hot and sour really kills my craving for anything sweet afterwards.

What a genius idea to eBay the big clothes- must be such an inventive to not gain again or you'll be going out in a dressing gown.

So lovely not to feel alone with the hunger pangs and to know they are just a temporary annoyance.

mumofcrazynamedkids · 05/11/2012 16:57

laska lovely dress, think your OH will appreciate it!

greeneggs your shortening of my name is very apt, they are crazy as well as me, and their names.

roll on home time, my chicken arabbiata meal soup is calling and a day off and normal eating tomorrow to look forward to. these cold dark nights make me want to comfort eat, but I will continue in my attempts to restore order on my usually chaotic home, my bedroom is next on the tidying list, it's always teh last room to be done!

catsrus · 05/11/2012 18:21

ah well that'll teach me Blush the healthy soup was just not satisfying enough to work and I wasn't in the zone. I was in the zone for 4 huge slices of wholemeal toast though BlushBlushBlush. I minimised the damage by not having lashing of butter and marmite and had them with cottage cheese.

Should be OK having a fast day tomorrow - away at a work meeting all day, last time they provided grotty sandwiches all of which were a variety of "mayonnaise with...." (and I don't like mayonnaise!) so I think I will avoid them and just eat when I get home. Working at home and fast days just don't work for me a lot of the time, so I should just celebrate when they do and accept that most of the time it will be damage limitation.

Laska42 · 05/11/2012 18:54

Ahhh ....and Relax! a nice lump of food is now officially in tummy.... Lovely salmon and broccoli noodles..and I am alive again Smile I might even have a Wine in a bit ..

Well, my experiment in going 24hrs without any food at all was interesting.. I ate 500 cals yesterday, Sunday , 250 in the morning and 250 at about 4.30pm, then nothing except tea water and coffee to 5.45 pm today ..

Wasn't really hungry ( well only a bit ) until about 3.30 (hence dress diversion tactic ) I'd had another cup of tea and suddenly on that hitting my empty stomach I felt a bit ill.. and then ravenous.. but 3 glasses of water helped.. (I didn't have any food at all with me in the office to eat anyway .. )

When I got in I had a small snack.. because I knew id wolf my dinner down if I didn't (a hb egg prepared for the eventuality ), then got chopping the veg for my stir fry .

Of course this now messes up me doing a fast again tomorrow.. I would usually on Tuesdays as I do 4:3 but I'm just not hard core enough to fast again tomorrow!

I don't like to fast Fridays or Sat, so I think if I'm going to do 24hrs each time I'll have to go down to 5:2. So I might give that a go again Wednesday and see how it goes now . . but I do think when I go to 6:1 ill definitely go for 24 hours .. it seems to make sense ..

Re the dress.. I bought It!! Size 12 (its very fitted..as you can see.) but I was size 18/20 when I got married 6 years ago! ..And despite it saying its day wear .. its the kind of thing I'd wear out , not to the office..I think all the social workers and social care staff I work with would have a fit if I turned up in that Grin

OK its expensive.. but think of all the money I'm saving on food!! ..Grin

My boss was fasting again today her 2nd or 3rd week I think and she's lost a few pounds already , and we discussed that several of her friends are now keen to start doing this WOE also so its getting popular! .. and its great that we can all 'chat ' here..

diabolo · 05/11/2012 19:48

Wow - I've just read this whole thread. I've decided to 5:2 after reading the article in the Times and finding out the same day that a friend's DH has lost over a stone in 10 weeks following this WOE.

Today is my first fast day, I've had a slim-a-soup and a banana so far today, and have a pot of veggie soup on the stove now. My tummy is rumbling for the first time in years.

My main problem is red wine - I drink buckets of the stuff and find it difficult to contemplate giving up permanently. Doing the 5:2 will work for me in this respect as I know I can easily go without booze on fast days and can still have a glass on normal eating days (I'll adjust my food calorie intake to allow for it).

The advice so far has been brilliant - I will definitely be doing the 16 hour fast for maximum health benefits and I will report back in a couple of weeks and let you know how I'm doing.

Thanks everyone.

TalkinPeace2 · 05/11/2012 19:50

three slices of salami, half tin of whole earth baked beans, scrambled egg, fresh ground pepper and parmesan on the beans
nom nom
sorted till tomorrow lunch now :-)

Piebaldrider · 05/11/2012 19:55

Well done Laska thats a great dress and you are also doing great to be able to buy it a size 12. I still have two dress sizes to drop before i get to 12 .

Im very worried about trying to keep this up through the cold dark winter but with the group support i hope to do just that. If i could keep warm it would help but the chills really get to me and i would kill for a hot flush lol .

Tonight i have had a portion of quorn cottage pie at 185 cals and a pile of veg. To be honest i'm hungrier now that i was before i ate but i will try and have a drink Brew Hmm Wine Grin and and early night.

Im sure that SAD is creeping up on me again and im going to have to try and force myself to keep up the gym and riding in this horrid weather.

It's nice to read so much good news on the thread tonight and i just need to keep remebering how lucky i am to have choice not to eat and a warm house to do it in.

lilacbluebell · 05/11/2012 20:11

hi all. first fast day doneSmile I have managed the 16 hours too, as DH was late home last night so we ate late. Have worked out I can manage 16 hours until I eat tomorrow too - is that OK? I had one tea with milk first thing (essential!), herbal tea all day and then one meal - a small piece of steak with baked potato wedges and loads of veggies, according to MFP it was just under 500, and a black tea. FABULOUS!!!

I think I overloaded on information reading the threads and links yesterday, so I may have some questions coming up (probably about non-fast day food to start with), but so far I am impressed and quite happy with the idea of this WOESmile, I will do a bit of flicking through the first couple of threads too if I have time.

very nice dress BTW, though it would be a "special occasion" dress for scruffy me. I have my eye on a weird fish one if I ever get into their size range

As it's firework hell here I will probably be going to bed with the DC as they won't sleep without me. Ah well, it will keep me away from the kitchen!

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 05/11/2012 20:48

Laska you are inspirational - and the dress is fab fab fab!!! In your honour I think I'll make the pepper, carrot and lentil soup for my meal today (was going to do miso but have ended up snacking on most of the veg that was going to go in it Blush)

WI after 8days of serious indulgence, going to bed uncomfortably full most nights, finishing off a LOT of martinis, prosecco and wine....have only put 2lb of the 4 I'd lost so not as bad as I thought, but want to reach my target weight of 132lbs (6lbs to lose but doing 4:3 I seem to lose weight very slowly even though my shape changes quickly - so the aim is probably more to get to a size 8) by Christmas so went swimming this morning, fasting today and planned in my fasts for next 2 weeks (including menu planning) and exercise days.

BACK ON THE WAGON!

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 05/11/2012 20:49

diablo this WOE of eating really works for me because I hate the thought of giving up red wine!!!

FastFeeder · 05/11/2012 20:59

Have you ladies seen the What Size Am I site? It's a handy way of seeing which clothing stores suit your shape.

One of things that prompted me to start this WOE/WOL back in August was that I put my measurements in and was horrified to find that I'd slowly turned into a size 14 in UK stores (living in Canada for five years I've been sheltered from my changing shape by the different numbering over here for women's clothing - I could always kid myself that I was 'only a 12').

But today I put in my current measurements and I'm back to being [fanfare] a UK size 10. For the first time in probably 7 years. Grin

Makes me quite happy about having only eaten 6 almonds so far today. There's a nice chorizo and chick pea stew coming up for supper. (Can't wait!)

TalkinPeace2 · 05/11/2012 21:06

:-) Borderline 8-10 : which in 1970's is 12-14 : not bad for 47 !