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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! Number 8, fast away fast away fast away all!

999 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 14/12/2012 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 in August 2012, 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.

I know a number of people lurk on this thread, as this is currently quite popular. Please just jump in and post if you're new- we won't bite. Well, maybe on a fast day. Wink You'll find a lot of support here.

Here is a list of links to get you started with this way of eating. Please let us know if you find a new article or some other information online:

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

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.

Here is where I would link to the aforementioned Horizon programme, but it appears as if the BBC have finally noticed it on YouTube and have taken it down. Here is a link to the programme's page on iPlayer, which features a couple of clips, and might have updates eventually. Let us know if you find another site hosting 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. 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. (This is a new calculator to previous threads, this one seems to give me approximately the same results the last one did, but without the virus warnings on my browser!)

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 all the links re-copied and back into one post.

Come join us, and tell us about your experiences with this diet!

OP posts:
Snowkey · 02/01/2013 20:09

Oh yes please Piebaldrider to the dry curry recipe - I normally make a fasting curry with tomatoes for a sauce. Today I made a frittata with roasted veg & ricotta and served it with a spicy Moroccan carrot salad and a dollop of total fat free. It was lovely and very filling.
So first day back on the wagon, a 30min run and 150kcal to spare despite small people making lovely chocolate treats. Feeling sleepy now though.

TheCyclistist · 02/01/2013 20:09

Evening all,

For those of you that want something uncomplicated with loads of veg on a Fast day, Sainsbury's are doing 2 WW meals for £2 at the mo. The mince beef or chicken hotpots are pretty decent with loads of veg and good value for your calories at about 230 per meal (+ any veg you add). I find it really useful to have a few in the freezer.

Good Luck all....

AfterEightMintyy · 02/01/2013 20:17

Hello everyone, marking place on new thread. Am just about to finish my first fast day since 21st December Xmas Blush. I can feel I have put on the tiny amount of weight I have lost since I started in September Xmas Angry but this is what I expect with my pathetic metabolism.

I am going to change things in 2013 by adding way more exercise into the mix!

DH similarly hasn't fasted since 21st December but weighed himself this morning and was astonished to find he hasn't gained a single lb, even though he was not restricting himself at all over Christmas. The bugger.

CecyHall · 02/01/2013 20:26

First fast day today since towards the end of mid December, I've put on nearly a stone over Christmas which I really couldn't afford to do.

I'm hoping it will come back off quickly but I'm fairly annoyed at myself for not fasting over Christmas, not even being halfway sensible.

Today was ok though, I had tofu with salad and baked potato for tea, didn't feel lacking or headachey as I thought I might.

I'm going to try and start a bit of exercise next week once eldest is back at school.

TheCyclistist · 02/01/2013 20:38

Hi CecyHall, yeah I'm in the same boat as you with the Christmas weight gain (as are loads of others on here Wink ). Although it kind of irritates and frustrates me I'm not too concerned as we're all in this for the long term and although it might be mid Feb before I get back to where I was in mid December, I know sooner or later I'll get there........one of the benefits of this WOL over traditional diets Smile .

Thanks Breadandwine for posting the Dr M interview link from this morning, looks like there'll be a lot more 5:2ers in the UK soon Grin

TheCyclistist · 02/01/2013 20:42

there should have been a 'though' after the 'frustrates' above. Trying to 'multitask' and use the microwave at the same time as posting, and failed miserably.........

Sputnik · 02/01/2013 20:42

Hmm, I see I'm not the only one doing my first fast for a while on here. I haven't weighed myself but my clothes feel ok so hopefully not too much xmas damage done!

Bordercollielover · 02/01/2013 20:43

Have read the book now. It is not as good as the original programme, IMHO , but useful for anyone who did not see it. If you watched the programme and have followed the 8 MN threads then there is nothing new in the book although I bought it for myself, my sister and a friend in a show of gratitude to Dr M for changing my life. For anyone who did not see the programme or has recently joined this thread then I think the book is excellent.
One odd thing is that the 24 hours vs "a day" issue is not explained at all so by the end of the book it could be interpreted in at least two different ways.

The other video link is interesting, about the 19 hour optimum fasting time and the science, if it is indeed accurate science, behind it all.

froot · 02/01/2013 20:48

aftereight blimmin men!!!

froot · 02/01/2013 20:50

Apologies to the men on this thread (i know some of u put on lots over xmas) but grrrr..... Seems to hit us worse (or perhaps we are just greedier!!!)

NessyD · 02/01/2013 21:03

Hi, I'm new here, so sorry if this question has already been asked/answered. I'm keen on starting the 5/2 diet tomorrow and I wonder what people are eating on the fast days? I've just peaked at my personal best of 12 stone! 5ft 6 tall. Size 14/16. I feel fat and horrible and Want to lose at least 2 stone. I'm hoping this will work for me as I have strong will power but only on short bursts! Thanks in advance, I've enjoyed reading your posts x

GreenEggsAndNichts · 02/01/2013 21:04

froot I think the men on the thread acknowledged a while back that it seems to work a bit better for them than for their partners. I didn't even notice too much smugness about it. :) Don't think it has to do with greed (though I know you were joking!) but I do think it comes down to issues with those of us of childbearing age. It worked very well for me for a few months then I plateaued, whereas DH (who was only doing 5:2, to my 4:3) just kept losing. Hell, he doesn't even really count calories on the fast days, nor does he bother trying to get a 16 hr fast in. sigh.

Anecdotal evidence, anyway. I'm changing things up now that the holidays are over, and hope to see some more results.

OP posts:
tiggy114 · 02/01/2013 21:07

Help!!!! I found fast days very easy. Then i had a 2 week xmas break but was still quite good. Today was my first post xmas fast and i was weak, hungry and craving meat! Everyone out tonight and i've just literally binged on cheese! I have found fasting impossible today! I was tired and grumpy also. I don't know whats gone wrong!

GreenEggsAndNichts · 02/01/2013 21:08

NessyD It depends on my mood. Lately I've been opting for Covent Garden's Best Vegetable soup, which is 240ish calories for the whole thing, then maybe a salad with a bit of cheese and meat. Have to count milk in coffees, etc. I, personally, do not cook meals on fast days as one of the reasons I got to this weight is I can't seem to control myself when I have the opportunity for seconds. or a sneaky half-seconds. or whatever. :)

Some folks do cook, though, and frenchfancy has a recipe thread I've linked in the OP here. Some day I might be brave enough to cook on a fast day!

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 02/01/2013 21:12

tiggy it might take an attempt or two to get back into it? I did manage two fast days over the holidays, but today was my third and I actually found it tougher than usual. I ate a few peanuts :( on top of my normal food. I'm just going to leave it at that and not start piling more food on top of them! I'm probably more like 600-700 calories today.

Cheese is another tough one, once I have a bit it's hard to stop.

OP posts:
Jobyloo · 02/01/2013 21:18

On a 500 day too peeps. Today was much easier because I was back at work. BCL I was left confused about the 24hr fast too but thought on the whole the book was easy to read. The science stuff was at my level and I was left feeling motivated to start 5:2 again and in fact this week will be doing 4:3.
BAW thanks for the link to this morning's interview, will see if I can find the you & yours session too.

to all the newbies joining (from a relative new comer Xmas Wink), this is a great site with loads of really friendly peeps & tons of interesting info. It really does get easier you just have to jump in and give it a bash.

Sputnik · 02/01/2013 21:39

Nessy I think most people find lots of veg good for fast days, it fills you up and you have a good plateful, which is psychologically important. I go for salads (go easy on dressing), soups, big veg curries or stir fries, with a small amount of protein like fish or eggs.

Goofymum · 02/01/2013 21:44

Am glad I've found this thread. Have nearly finished my first fast day of alternate day fasting. Me and DH did this in the summer after watching the horizon program and we both lost a stone relatively easily. What I love about this is that I don't feel it is a diet or that I am depriving myself as I can always eat normally the next day. I love cooking so can keep this up too. Plus there is real science behind this.
I hope keeping in touch with this thread will motivate me also as even though the alternate fasting works and is easier than dieting, it still can be tough on fasting days. I have 3 1/2 stone to lose to get into the normal weight range.

Today I had 1/2 pint milk in tea/coffee, a slimmer soup and some melon, 1 sachet of frozen golden rice (200 cals for a good portion, def recommend it) and 4 of DD's scampi!!

AmericasTorturedBrow · 02/01/2013 21:56

Ugh first fast day in two weeks ended in failure with several rich tea biscuits and a bag of cheesy biscuity snack things. Boo.

No more fasting til Monday as off to a brilliant friend on the Isle of Man where I shall eat a lot of bacon and drink a lot of wine....

Bordercollielover · 02/01/2013 21:59

Dr MM is on you and Yours Radio 4 12.00 tomorrow and Friday too.
Today he recommended "20 plus" for exercise. This means 20 second bursts of high intensity exercise whenever you can, eg while the kettle boils, such as running or exercise bike, plus 20 minutes walking every day plus every 20 minutes throughout the day get up and move around.

Jobyloo · 02/01/2013 22:04

I did try to post the link above to MM on R4 today. I perhaps should have labelled it better but tbh BCL may have just summed up the session in 2 sentences Xmas Wink

Lafaminute · 02/01/2013 22:08

Also sabotaged first post christmas fast with Rich Teas...and then half a portion of kids ravioli. AAAGH! I can't seem to resist their evening food. Usually I have to take myself and a good book and leave the rest of the family to eat without my glowering starving presence! I'm hopeful that it'll be easier once everyone is back at school.

Snowkey · 02/01/2013 22:10

Nessy I mostly cook on fast days - chicken or prawn curry with cauliflower rice, I make enough for 2 days fasting. Sometimes fish with roasted veg and greens. Roasted veg frittata with carrot salad. If I'm stuck for time dh and I will share a ready meal curry but would rather eat home cooked food if possible - from a taste point of view, I find processed foods somewhat lacking.

AfterEightMintyy · 02/01/2013 22:14

My favourite meals on fast days are home made soups, home made vegetable curry, prawn salad, chicken salad, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or ham, Innocent veg pots, small portions of interesting vegetable dishes like cauliflower cheese or vegetable bake.