What are the counter arguments for 5:2?

[Yonionekanobe]

I'm currently pregnant but have been interested in the 5:2 diet for perhaps six months after DC2 is born, and convincing DH to join me (he doesn't need to lose weight but I think the health benefits will be good for us both).

When I speak to him he will want to know the pros and cons - I've found lots of science backing it up (admittedly through Dr Mosley's publications), but has anybody come across an evidenced counter argument?

lots and lots of people will tell you that you have to eat every few hours - most of them are fat or work for the food industry

it does not work for everybody
some people have REAL struggles with dizziness
but judging by the number of people joining the "maintainers" gang
it seems to help most people

I don't know whether there are serious cons, but there can be some side effects on the fast days (not everyone gets them)
I experience things like feeling cold, headaches and trouble sleeping.
I find I don't get headaches as long as I drink plenty and can put on an extra layer of clothing or have a bath if I start to feel cold.
With the trouble sleeping I think it's because my mind feels sharper (which is supposed to be a plus) and I can't switch off!

Are you planning on bf-ing? As far as I know, fasting isn't generally recommended for bf-ing mothers. Which might be a non-issue or a timing issue, but worth considering.

then again there are several people on the big 5:2 threads very succesfully doing 5:2 while feeding

I will be bf-ing, but unfortunately only exclusively for four months as I will be going back to work full time and found with DD that bizarrely my milk doesn't freeze, so I can't stock pile. I plan to give myself plenty of time to recover from pregnancy and birth before starting the 5:2 so may be a long time away but I'm a bit of a planner!

Thank you all for the comments

They might, but I wouldn't. Your body is going to pull down all the necessary nutrients for bf-ing, I wouldn't personally add fasting on top of that. Your milk supply might suffer, but more likely your skin, hair, etc would bear the brunt.

I think it's a great new idea, but I'm still not convinced for those bf-ing babies (as opposed to toddlers)

Sorry, cross post.

Doesn't freeze? How weird is that? What, just goes crystalline like vodka? Or do you mean looked yucky defrosted. Presumably the latter

I can't remember the details, something to do with saponin or something, but I had that problem and I had to scald the milk before freezing. Try Kellymom, it's a recognised problem and can be solved :)

Yes, the latter! Smells rancid when defrosted

Thanks poachedeggs - I'd forgotten about Kellymom, frat site IIRC.

i also wouldn't fast during bf.

i have been fasting for the past year, and then took a month off and am starting again because i feel so much better when i do.

cons:
feel hungry!
get irritable

pros:
lots more energy generally
can come off medication for acid reflux (omeprazole)
fewer headaches
more positive frame of mind on feasting days
better self-esteem
better skin

this last month since stopping fasting i have noticed

more depressed periods
fairly chronic fatigue and lethargy on some days
skin has gotten worse
more headaches

i honestly have come to the conclusion that i will have to fast for the rest of my life because i feel so much better for it. and i'm the most skeptical of people.

I did fast while breastfeeding but not until my baby was over six months and on solids as well. I probably wouldn't while exclusively bf or if I did, I would increase the calories somewhat- say 1000 rather than 500. Yes I was fatter than I would have liked foot six months, but my milk supply was the most important thing and six months out of my life isn't much compared with benefits potentially for the rest of her life. Just my personal view!

As an aside, I also have that issue with freezing milk; however the milk is still good and my baby still took it happily. It's something to do with a type of fat in the milk and there is a way you can treat it prior to freezing which helps- if you have the time and energy! Have a look at kellymom for info.

Read a magazine article recently on negative impact on fertility in women - evidence in humans seemed mainly anecdotal women reporting irregular or stopped periods and longer cycles with over 3 month periods after fasting for periods tp return. The article posited a link to reduced leptin levels. Experts mentioned include Dr Errol Richardson Kings cl and animal studies showing marked declines in fertility after intermittent fasting

It made my cycle go absolutely haywire and all my previously controlled PCOS symptoms came back with a vengeance.

I was lucky that I went back to normal fairly soon after stopping 5:2. I was glad to read the recent article in Glamour as it made me realise I wasn't alone.

(Obviously not a problem for your DH but I felt it worth writing in case anyone else was wondering)

I have found my PCOS symptoms have vastly improved, my cycle is bang on 28 days whereas before it was about a week late. I still get the odd spot, before I had full on acne. Facial hair remains the same, but apparently that should improve as I lose more weight. My apple shape is slightly more hour glass. I've been doing this for 7 months, intend to continue for life. It's life changing.