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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 · 08/11/2012 15:37

thelittlestranger
DH looked VERY askance as I handed it to him - the choice of stock cube / concentrate will hugely affect the flavour. He said it reminded him of the broth they serve at the Chinese restaurant in between courses. And he scoffed it.
The real point is that its a "bouillon" in the French parlance - and could actually be adapted massively till you find a version that you like....

mumofcrazynamedkids · 08/11/2012 15:44

mob warning . . . . . . .TOTM talk coming up

greeneggs when i was in my teens my TOTM was every 31 days, then in my 20's every 28 days, then in my 30's every 25-6 days, and now I am 40? i actually don't know as I now have a mirena coil so just have irregular spotting and also irregular hormonal day, but suspect it would keep reducing, no idea why, but just because you have alwasy been regular doesn't necesarily mean you will alwasy be, and it may be related to diet or it may just be age, some people speed up their cycles, if like me you produce a lot of the hormone that kicks out eggs regularly as your body and head is desperate to have another baby , or you may be someone who naturally gets less frequent ovulation as fertility declines. I've been reading a lot about this recently......aaggghh to hitting 40 and having to face the prospect of no more crazy children!

but at least if you are less regular you can have more fun ttc in a slightly random, not watching the calendar kind of way? (then again I know how some of us mum's can obsesss over this topic!

sorry for off topicness!

ThinkICan · 08/11/2012 15:47

Furhman's book is here: curezone.com/upload/PDF/Joel_Fuhrman_Eat_To_Live.pdf. Also, animal products are banned only for the first 6 weeks. You can add meat after that period.

TalkinPeace2 · 08/11/2012 15:50

Sorry, I got no further than "revolutionary formula" and closed the tab.
animal products are banned only for the first 6 weeks
WTF
so you live on GM soya air freighted in from around the world
no thankyou
I'll stick with following the lady with the "reduced" price gun around the supermarket and eating a mixture of what is available.
No fads, no gimmicks

ThinkICan · 08/11/2012 15:53

Talkin - It's easy for those who like to eat veggies mainly, as many are already doing on fast days. You are supposed to fill yourself with fresh vegetables and fruits.

skippyscuffleton · 08/11/2012 16:12

makehay re your comments on the negative effects of IF, I concur with Greeneggs about speaking to your GP, although I doubt they will be able to give you insightful answers. How about mailing Dr Varady, the female dr/proff from the Horizon prog, googling her name and opening the uni where she works site quickly reveals her contact details. Another suggestion: may also be worth asking her if she would do a webchat on here?

TalkinPeace2 · 08/11/2012 16:14

thinkican
but no animal products - why would I want to go vegan for six weeks?
the odd day, maybe, but no eggs, no milk, no cheese ....

skippy
a webchat by one of the researchers would be excellent - as we are their empirical data ... potentially

ThinkICan · 08/11/2012 16:23

That's a great idea skippy. They can't find a more motivated or intelligent group!

Talkin - people like me who are 30 pounds away from our healthy weight need to take a close look at everything! Also, I'm a vegetarian, so my only sacrifice will be milk and yogurt. Cheese is already off my list! And he allows 12 ounces of animal products per week.

Abra1d · 08/11/2012 16:30

I like this idea, skippy!

TalkinPeace2 · 08/11/2012 16:31

fairy nuff
I just balk at anything that sells itself as 'revolutionary'
sadly there is nothing revolutionary about 'eat less, do more'
but the wonderful thing about this WOE is that the 'eat less' bit is doable as its only a couple of days a week !

phlebas · 08/11/2012 17:46

am rubbish at keeping up to date & this is a boring update too; sorry everyone!

I didn't fast at all last week (halloween, half term, illness - I'd be amazed if I hadn't put on weight tbh), anyway I'm down to 83kg this evening for a total loss of 18kg in 3.5ish months (started last week of July). I fasted on Monday & Wednesday - apart from coffee in the morning I just eat once at dinnertime (had fish finger pita bread sandwich yesterday). We're off on holiday in three week & I really want to be down to 80kg/slightly below by then so may move up to 4:3 for a while.

Jeans are getting loose again ... Grin

phlebas · 08/11/2012 17:53

Oh & I think the healthy waist measurement for women is less than 32 inches - I was 33 this morning, so still some way to go!

MakeHayNotStraw · 08/11/2012 17:56

hi! I'm back (take cover....!).
laska - sorry to hear about your job, that's rubbish. I hope the perfect one comes up soon. And I didn't take one bit of offense - I was just worried I'd offended all you ladies, not great for a newbie to the thread!

Good idea about contacting the scientist, I'll have a root around and see if I can find details once the DCs are in bed. I'll report back as and when there's anything to report.

Thought I might try again tomorrow. I think I fail when I graze though, so perhaps one long fast will work better for me. Maybe. I just have no self-control, TBH.

squoosh · 08/11/2012 18:02

That's what I'm doing MakeHay saving my 500 cals for one evening meal. I'd rather have smaller amounts of delicious things than larger amounts of bland food. I do the fast 7pm to 7pm and find it easy enough to forget about my hunger when I'm at work. The weekends are more challenging!

Abra1d · 08/11/2012 18:12

I have just had my main meal and agree entirely about saving most of the calories for it. We use lots of herbs and spices and usually 'wok' some fish with lots of vegetables, trying to get maximum zest into the flavours. It seems to satisfy you more than blander food, definitely.

Laska42 · 08/11/2012 18:31

Hi mum of crazy (you know I'm really starting to want to know what you've called your kids...Smile)

That's the odd thing .. I don't like sweet things really , but recently (in the last month or so) I've been eating the odd piece of very dark (over 70%) chocolate, I remember Lindors from a few christmasses ago when someone gave me some and this time just liked the sound of having one... (but sure I wont want one tomorrow when I can)

I'm wondering if i've just told myself so often over the 30 odd years i've been dieting that I don't like sweet things so that is why I didn't eat them.. but although I'm not at all bothered about cake and biscuits I do like ice cream (but again restrict it to the very occasional 'posh' one). Have only had one as far as I remember this year and that was a couple of weeks ago on Mums birthday .

Anyway . I'm not really about to start stuffing sweet things in my gob now I'm down to pretty much what I want to be after all these years..

But we've mentioned how our tastes change a few times before on this thread..

BTW .I eat even more chilli than I did before now!! (who's surprised at that though!) .

GreenEggsAndNichts · 08/11/2012 18:42

mumofcrazy thanks for the response :) I worried a little, but I think as long as it's skewed towards happening too often rather than too infrequently, I should be okay.. right? (rhetorical question, don't really expect you to agree or know!) I'm going to keep at it for the next couple of weeks at least, as I've just been doing so well and really, being a healthier weight will help me should we TTC and it works. I'll move to 5:2, I think, and obviously will have to have a 9-month break if we're successful. I'd even consider putting it off longer than we already are, to get myself back to my pre-baby weight first, but considering my age I think it's not a great idea.

To get back on topic: tis a non-fast day here, and I've indulged a bit of sweet and salty cravings. Salad for dinner, I think. :)

OP posts:
Mintyy · 08/11/2012 18:42

Would like to recommend Pret A Manger minestrone soup for anyone who needs a takeaway lunch at work on fast days. Only 218 calories and really nice! Tis all I've had to eat today so far (had it about 1pm) and am only now starting to get hungry again.

NigellaPleaseComeDineWithMe · 08/11/2012 18:51

DW and I have deceided to do this - not weighed our selves (DW hates being weighed and refuses at the docs) - but like the idea of a few pounds, saves a bit of money and time (no cooking on 2 days) and the added healtth benefits are very interesting in terms of the cells not always being 'on' and a chnace to repair. It's very easy to have too many calories in a normal day so missing a couple makes you get to the right calories per day. Seems better to fit the 2 days during the week as often end up having to go out in evenings picking up children and stuff so not having a main meal makes more sense!

Only started this week - day 2 today Grin, no Wine tonight as off to a meeting, so driving too.

catsrus · 08/11/2012 19:03

well today was a fast day - at work made it so much easier to stick to tea and coffee. Got home and decided to have a large bowl of the remains of the hot/sour seaweed/veggie soup

Laska42 · 08/11/2012 19:06

Yes catsI do that often.. also buy ripe pineapples and strawberries and grapes when cheap and chop then up and freeze them..its like eating lollies!

frenchfancy · 08/11/2012 19:08

Nigella don't be so sure about the no cooking. I have found the best way to do this has been to have some thing really tasty on fast days, so I've been cooking alot of vegan chillis and currys. The level of food prep doesn't really change, just the ingredients and the number of calories.

Recently got a slow cooker which is helping, so veg prep is done in the morning when I am not too hungry and food is ready when I need it without too much thought.

Laska42 · 08/11/2012 19:11

Actually I'm thrilled because its the first ever diet i've done in which I've lost significant inches from my waist.. has gone from 34 to 30 on this WOE . Sadly i've also lost about 2.5in from my my bum ( which is a bit annoying as it wasn't that big anyway and I need it to sit on!.) But the boobs are about the same.(I would have preferred it if they had shrunk a bit rather than the bum ..

But Hey .. aint complaining really Grin

literarygeek · 08/11/2012 19:15

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literarygeek · 08/11/2012 19:27

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