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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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

5:2 Diet Thread! Perfect number 10!

999 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 20/01/2013 15:24

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.

Michael Mosley has recently unveiled a new website to accompany his new book on the subject. Please go check them out, as he's the whole reason most of us are here!

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. This might be a good place to catch up with us if you're feeling a bit lost!

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.

B&W has found a new link to the aforementioned Horizon programme here. If you're keen to see it, watch it soon, because BBC has been quick to find these copies and shut them down online. We're hoping they'll re-play it again soon. I know these threads are popular, maybe they'll read my request. Wink

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:
BetsyVanBell · 23/01/2013 18:33

middleenglish You might need to spread your calories over the day at first - 2 meals and some small snacks might help. I rely on hot soups packed with veggies - the portions are surprisingly sizeable, home made or Glorious skinny soup meals are good too. I also drink pots of herbal tea over the day which definitely helps. My second fast was a lot easier than the first and the 3rd was easy - 4th tomorrow! I do feel a bit odd when I start eating again the next day so I'm learning to ease into it gradually.
Hope that helps Smile

SarahWithAFringeOnTop · 23/01/2013 18:34

mypinkmonkey, I feel cold too - and I haven't really found the answer either, although piling on lots of layers does help. Especially thermal socks! Moving about helps a bit, as does having something hot and spicy in your 500 calories. It wasn't so bad in the autumn, so I think the current cold weather makes it seem worse. If it's any consolation, it's supposed to get milder at the weekend Grin Anyone else have any ideas?

BetsyVanBell · 23/01/2013 18:34

Well done Incadreams Grin

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 23/01/2013 18:39

Well done inca unfortunately I caved. Will half a spoon of risotto count against me??!! Grin it was so worth it.

phlebas · 23/01/2013 18:56

well done inca!

(I'm planning risotto tomorrow Grin )

anniewhit · 23/01/2013 19:15

Hi- Im new to this and looking for an answer - it would be great to find some help!!- Does anyone know if t is ok to spread the 500 calories over the day rather than just have them with 12 hour gaps? I seem to read conflicting advice and have been spreading the calories with vegetable soups etc as they seem to keep me going more, rather than having a 250 calorie blow out!

MiddleEnglish · 23/01/2013 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bordercollielover · 23/01/2013 19:27

B and W. I might be wrong but my interpretation of all this would be: to get health benefits , fast for 24 hours.
If, in addition, you want to lose weight then you need to create a calorie deficit as well, so you would then eat only 600 calories after the 24 hours has elapsed.
However, since you are reaching a point where you want the health benefits but have no more weight to lose then I would think that you could fast for 24 hours and then eat normally as you no longer want a calorie deficit.
LG I will be trying the coconut yog ASAP. I bought some very expensive stuff which was like heaven on a spoon but would prefer to make my own. Any tips on choosing a coconut milk for this? Lots of them have added thickeners.

catsrus · 23/01/2013 19:35

I will try the unsweetened almond milk TIP2 - never found a. Non-dairy alternative that I could bear in tea!

Laska42 · 23/01/2013 19:40

hello,
Just while im posting in this spot. has anyone tried Kara dairy free coconut milk? its supposed to be a dairy free milk substitute and I heard about it on AN-othe rdiet website.. anyway ..its a less coconut-ty taste supposedly and 28cals per 100ml..

Thought this might be useful to my vegan friends (I'm not ) here and might work for the yogurt you are talking about ..

Have seen it in Sainsburydhere on my sea-blasted rock so im sure its pretty much available anywhere ..

Laska42 · 23/01/2013 19:41

cats!! Hi there .. x posted..

Frannyfeet · 23/01/2013 19:45

2nd fast of 2nd week and it was a breeze. Willpower running 100% higher than normal....I was given a fruit jelly at work today and I put it in my briefcase for tomorrow, never have I done that before - happy!!

catsrus · 23/01/2013 19:47

Hi laska I'll look out for that too! Though I do try to avoid the evil supermarket empires and only shop at local shops and the co-op ... Mmmmm my local health food store might have it! ( though like most HFS I'm not sure a lot of what they stock counts as 'healthy')

Bordercollielover · 23/01/2013 19:48

I expect the answer to this is obvious to everyone except me.........where are Dr M's answers from the live chat today? All I can see now are the questions!

Laska42 · 23/01/2013 19:58

Well; the divine Dr M didn't answer my question either (drums heels) but oh wel I still adore and worship him.....

Gosh, i've had such a busy work week loads to do and also coping with news of more, Cuts and yet more cuts in both the departments I work for..and yet another job evaluation to go through (I'm one of those dreadful a fat cat public servants bleeding the country dry) and now boss leaving and our department is in total limbo ) that looking on here earlier and seeing so many posts and new posters I was almost ready to give up ..

But of course that was before eating!! But now i've had a fine eating day bowl of red cabbage ( my absolute new favourite) stir fried with onions and tomatoes , topped with crispy bacon and vintage cheddar!. and a glass of red..

OH I LURRVE this WOE.. Grin

Fasting again tomorrow will be my third this week and going to try for the 24hrs now .. but so what if I can eat like this for the rest of the week?

bro Hi mate, i've taken to HIIT ( see Dr M ) 20 min short bursts .. for exercise as cycling is mugs game here right now.. either snow or now back to floods as i'm stuck indoors a lot ..I'm running up and down the stairs 5 floors at work and also on my rebounder..also squats.. ouch.. ( but no sit ups they are the work of the devil)

Cats.. vanilla vodka...sounds dangerous Grin.. btw I might be coming over to Brighton soon..

Laska42 · 23/01/2013 20:01

Cats ill bet you'll get it a Food for Friends in Brighton .. or Bills

Breadandwine · 23/01/2013 20:02

BCL here they are!

catsrus · 23/01/2013 20:08

Vanilla vodka is deadly laska but really delicious Grin just in the train home after a work meeting in the big city - had a lovely meal at Yo Sushi at victoria station - they do a very fine merlot Wine as well as the healthy food options :). Fast day tomorrow Grin. Let me know when you are coming over and we'll have a mini meet up at least!

Breadandwine · 23/01/2013 20:09

i've taken to HIIT ( see Dr M ) 20 min short bursts

Laska, shouldn't that be 20 sec short bursts? Grin

Only, I don't call 20 mins a short burst!! Smile

skippy & BCL - I'll get back to you.

Bordercollielover · 23/01/2013 20:21

Thanks BandW, found the answers now. Rather disappointing really, perhaps we needed 2 sessions: one for people new to the WOL and one for people who have been doing it for a few months as the two groups need to ask different questions.
Or maybe he just doesn't have anything more to say until there is new evidence.

Laska42 · 23/01/2013 20:34

B&W oh yeah..20secs!! too much Wine (and that was only one glass!..thats fasting for you!)

Snowkey · 23/01/2013 20:52

AfterEights I completely agree with your assertion that making the non fasters a favourite dinner is torture - I made the kids Steak & Chips tonight, they left behind 4 chips - oh the willpower I needed to stop me scoffing and chuck them in the compost. Very envious of all you wine drinkers - I'm on Dry January and it's very dull being virtuous...doesn't suit me at all.

Laska42 · 23/01/2013 21:01

snowkey well done you for sticking to it ! I never give up Wine in January as I find it depressing enough.. Will probably do April/May though.. I always try and have a month off before my June holiday.. (and another after to make up for the damage!!

Having said that now I'm doing this WOE. (and 4:3 ). I'm not drinking that much anyway .. I usually have some on Friday and Saturday and maybe one or two glasses at most during the week.. it used to be a lot more especially on WW where it could be 'pointed' in.. no wonder I wasn't losing weight!

MrsFillyjonk · 23/01/2013 21:01

Hello, I am really interested in trying 5:2 and want to start tomorrow, have read lots here but am a bit confused as to when I consume 500 cals during the fast period. Could some kind person help me here, i've just eaten my evening meal, it was 8.30pm... Now, do I eat nothing until 8.30pm tomorrow evening eat a 500 cal meal and then return to normal eating (within reason!) the following morning, Friday. OR do I consume 500cals over the course of tomorrow at any time and eat normally on Friday. Sorry if ive made that sound so confusing im confusing myself! Im sure im over thinking this and in practice maybe it will all make sense. Thanks for your help!

Laska42 · 23/01/2013 21:03

cats I will..perhaps we could do lunch at Bills (if its still there!, havent been for a year or so)

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