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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.

blood sugar diet thread 5

999 replies

yumyumpoppycat · 15/10/2016 17:12

Continuing thread for Blood Sugar Dieters:
Phase 1 lasts 2 - 8 weeks and involves restricting calories to 800 a day. Eating healthy fats is encouraged as is limiting carby foods (no specific guideline on this but some people aim for under 50g), small amounts of complex carbs are allowed but should be balanced ideally with green veg, protein and fat to lower the glycemic load and reduce the effect on blood sugar.

Tips
You may get headaches at first so drink lots of water, possibly try mixing a teaspoon of marmite into boiled water and having that to replenish salts etc
Exercise: aim for 10,000 steps a day and ideally consider adding in resistance training and some HIIT workouts.
Fasting some people find it helpful to have an eating window e.g 14:10 – 14 hours fasting and 10 hours to fit in the 800 cals. Avoid snacking and grazing - split your calories into 2 or 3 meals for potentially better weightloss.
Use the menu plans in the book or plan ahead on My fitness pal app

Foods to avoid
Sugar, sweets, milk chocolate, biscuits, cake
White bread, pasta, rice, chips etc
Processed Junky food with added sugar
Alcohol, fizzy drinks, juice etc
Diet foods, artificially low fat foods
High sugar fruit

Foods to eat
Full fat Natural/ Greek yoghurt
Fish in particular oily fish, Meat, eggs, nuts seeds
Non starchy veg, cauliflower, leafy greens, avocados, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli etc
Olive oil, coconut oil, rapseed oil

Berries and low sugar fruit (2 portions or less)
Lentils, beans etc

Foods to include in small amounts and be careful of
Full fat dairy is fine but some people do better with less of this
Starch veg such as sweet potatoes and squash
Wholegrains (quinoa, buckwheat etc) limit to 2 tablespoons
Low carb crackers and breads made with coconut flour, almond flour etc

Phase 2/ 3
for more sustainable continued weight loss and then maintenance add in some days with higher calories but still lower carbs, and have 2 – 5 days at 800 calories. Continue to avoid processed simple carbs like white bread, chocolate etc but possibly add in small amounts of dark chocolate and red wine or less sugary alcohol if you wish to.

Useful links:
My fitness pal
[[https://www.amazon.co.uk/8-Week-Blood-Sugar-Diet-Recipe/dp/1780722931/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476547726&sr=1-1&keywords=blood+sugar+diet Bloodsugar diet recipe book
BigChocs Fasting exercise thread]]

For full recommendations and lists of those who should avoid this diet please see the BSD forum

OP posts:
Thread gallery
40
APlaceOnTheCouch · 02/12/2016 10:00

yum you will fluctuate back down. Try not to worry about it.
I am still struggling with this cold but luckily I'm veering towards appetite loss rather than feeling ravenous.

CharlieChipmunk · 02/12/2016 12:07

It may be Yum that you've found the weight you're supposed to be. There's a lot to be said for settling on a weight that A is healthy and B is easy to maintain. I've been there with the constantly trying to go lower and it then gets harder to stay that weight

BeyondTheHarpy · 02/12/2016 12:56

Yumyum, you just need to watch the missing and come to the lose 7lbs threads and you'll be on every thread I am Grin

Anyone who is on the lose 7lbs threads will know I'm back in hospital (a stitch popped from my recent op and there was a little bit of blood...!) Starving today having not eaten properly yesterday so not being particularly good. Trying to keep my meals low carb and still drinking green tea instead of coffee. But I may have just eaten three cookies Wink Anyway though, I'm good :)

yumyumpoppycat · 02/12/2016 17:29

Beyond I just started watching the missing this week Grin

OP posts:
CharlieChipmunk · 02/12/2016 22:52

Had to go over my calories today! First time in almost 6 weeks! I was just really hungry so decided to listen to that and eat something. So I went for half a pot of cottage cheese with salad and then a protein bar. Ended the day on 1,100 calories. I've got my week 6 weigh in on Monday so will try not to do that again over the weekend

CharlieChipmunk · 05/12/2016 22:06

Week 6 weigh in today and another 3lbs off

21 lbs in total

yumyumpoppycat · 05/12/2016 23:57

Wow Charlie well done 3lbs off at week 6 is a lot!

Hope everyone else doing ok. Had a nice Christmasy weekend Wine I think I am giving up on any plans to lose weight a few more lbs until after Christmas so operation not going bananas and maintenance instead is now my aim - hopefully 2 800 days a week and 4 x exercise a week over dec will help.

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 06/12/2016 08:05

Hi everyone, had a weigh in this morning and I'm exactly the same!!! So a bit miffed as I did have a few good days but then also looking back I can acknowledge I also had a few not so good ones! It's hard this time of year I suppose so to maintain might be good enough I guess.
I've ordered my Christmas party outfit and I'm going to collect it today so hopefully it fits it will motivate me for this week.
Had a few olives and cheese for breakfast and milk in coffee. Finishing off the Christmas shopping today so a few thousand steps round town, but meeting a friend for lunch which is always tricky.
Dinner tonight will be a chicken tray bake, plus there'll be enough to freeze a few portions so I can have some 'ready meals' for busy days.
On plan when I can......!
Have a good day everyone. It's bloody freezing here today. My grandmother always said that you never lose weight if you're cold as your body moves fat to keep you warm. Not sure how much truth is in that but, hey.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 06/12/2016 09:36

bear maybe your grandmother is right and that's why we're all stalled. I am so cold!

I've been hovering around the same weight for weeks now. Last week I averaged 814 calories per day with 65g of carbs but just maintained.

I don't know what to wear for Christmas. bear fancy sharing a pic of your party outfit to inspire us all?

thenewaveragebear1983 · 06/12/2016 14:59

I'm going to a black tie farmers' ball, so while dh is ok with the old faithful tux, I have to get properly dressed up. I have ordered one of those nice swishy pleated metallic skirts that comes to midi length (an ideal length for me as I have really skinny ankles for some reason!) and will wear it with a black top. It's definitely not dressy enough for a posh do really, especially as it's only from matalan, but I think if I can find some sort of fluffy bolero and some big silver jewellery then it should be ok. I have the same dilemma every year because I hate sparkly sequin type outfits, usually wear something black and safe, then feel like I'm the frumpy old one at all the Christmas parties. I'm hoping that my summer of indulgence won't punish me too badly, hence the two piece outfit instead of a dress.
Has anyone else got any parties? What are you all planning to wear?

APlaceOnTheCouch · 06/12/2016 16:36

bear I have one of those skirts! It was a birthday gift from my DSIS. It's lovely and swishy (and so comfortable to wear!). I have a party this weekend but I'm not sure I'll be able to make it and haven't bought anything special to wear for it.

My size 10 impulse purchase dress from last week was this . .
Christmas Tree Dress
for some reason I always buy a vintage dress round about Christmas in the hope it will transform me into Audrey Hepburn or Doris Day This dress is for some Christmas events I have with the DC.

MummyMoving · 07/12/2016 07:20

Ooh lovely dress APlace. I hope it's ok for me to join this thread. I have been doing very well on the BSD for about four weeks, but the last two days have gone haywire. I feel like it's all piled back on, and really need to get myself back on track as want to feel ok for Christmas.

I'm thinking of doing blackberries and nuts for breakfast, soup in a thermos for lunch (I work), and something light in the evenings with the children. I've noticed that being extremely strict with my carbs and sugar does make me feel a lot better until the fish and chips cravings start to bite, and I think I need to stick to it for the long term. Help!

How is everyone else getting on?

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/12/2016 08:15

I didn't have a great day yesterday, too many opportunities for off plan eating at this time of year! I've planned better today so hopefully that should keep me on track. It definitely is those 'grab and go' situations which then send me haywire for the rest of the day.
Lovely dress place, and good for you on the size 10 too bear can only dream of those size 10 days right now....

CharlieChipmunk · 07/12/2016 10:52

Hi Mummy and welcome

How much do you have to lose? That definitely has a bearing on how quickly the pounds will come off. I had around err 2 and a half stone to lose and I'm currently a stone and a half down and that's taken me 6 weeks. I am strict though at the moment without being stupidly so. If I fancy chocolate I have a protein bar and that helps. I've also had a few scoops of sorbet now and again.

MummyMoving · 07/12/2016 12:13

Well done Charlie - it is hard work and sounds like you are doing really well. I like the sound of your sensible approach. I have a stone and a half to lose. Need to get back in the zone. This time of year is so full of pressure, I feel slightly panicked and eating calms me down. Need to embed healthier coping mechanisms.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 07/12/2016 12:57

Thanks for the nice comments about the Christmas tree dress! We have two pantos and a first birthday party so I thought it would be nice to have something vaguely festive that I didn't mind DCs crawling over! Grin
bear your post about party dresses yesterday made me think and I remembered I bought a size 12 dress from Next a few years ago but had never worn it because it was too tight at the hips. I tried it this morning and it fits. So if I manage to make it along to the party on Sat, at least I have something to wear.
Welcome mummy - I definitely relate to panicked eating. Today I had to forcibly remove the crisps bag from my own hands and replace it with mangetout. so I panic-ate an entire bag of mangetout instead

blood sugar diet thread 5
BeyondTheHarpy · 07/12/2016 14:06

Hey all. Fallen a little bit off the wagon, lets imagine the wagon is still going and I'm holding on to a rope being dragged along behind!! Grin

Been feeling rather shit due to my recent psycho reenactment, saw dr today who said anaemia is rather likely. Long wait for blood test to confirm though, hopefully in which time I can fix it myself. So I need to have a think of the best way to get lots of iron and vit c (no liver!!!) for minimal calories. I'm thinking I need to mainline spinach...! Anyway, feeling shit leads to eating shit, though every day has started with good intentions. Need to get my head back in the zone properly.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/12/2016 18:49

Dammit, I was having a reasonably good day, until about 4pm when I remembered it's the PTA Christmas meal tonight and so....3 courses including pudding, plus a glass or 2 of wine.
Shall start again tomorrow!!

diamantegal · 07/12/2016 18:50

Feeling a bit of a fraud posting at the moment as I haven't really been sticking to it recently - just too much going on which has led to a lack of planning and consequently bad choices.

That said, I haven't put any weight on, busy haven't been losing - I think my vague attempts to be sensible when I can have kept it under control.

Like the some of you, I think it might be a pause over Christmas and start again in earnest in the New Year!

And these are my party dress options (work do on Friday). I wore the short one last year because the red one was too clingy (bought it and then chickened out). I was hoping to have lost weight and wear the red one but I don't think 4lbs will have made enough difference - we'll see!

blood sugar diet thread 5
blood sugar diet thread 5
CharlieChipmunk · 07/12/2016 19:38

Yes I was in full on panic mode at the end of October when I realised that if i wanted to lose the two stone for Christmas I couldn't waste one more day. Panicking doesn't usually work for me but for some reason this time , it did

I take each day as it comes and I'd love to lose another 7lbs by Christmas Eve which could be ambitious

APlaceOnTheCouch · 08/12/2016 11:19

diamante I love your dresses. The red dress is stunning and 4lbs can make a big difference. Sometimes my weight has stayed the same but i have lost inches. 4lbs could be a lot of inches.

Oblomov16 · 09/12/2016 06:26

Well don't Charlie on that 3lbs and the total lbs. that is serious commitment!!

Loving all the Christmas party dresses!!

Not doing so well here, eating well, but then next day..... just not! And wine and chocolate etc.

But sad I haven't finished the year, where I was at the first half of the year.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 09/12/2016 09:12

Me too oblov I seem to have a few good days then a few not so good. But it's better than everyday being not so good, perhaps it will limit the Christmas gain? I really suffer with tiredness and stress and that 'meh' feeling of the winter, the dark days and lack of fresh air. I think we seek out carbs, which doesn't help when they're everywhere! One day at a time for me, I do try but at the same time I don't always have the willpower to say no all the time.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 09/12/2016 12:17

Maybe that's why we're heavier than people in the Med - not because of their diet but because they don't have such dark, miserable winters that just call out for comfort food.

yumyumpoppycat · 09/12/2016 23:17

There is def something in that salad and summer just go together better.

Dia the black dress is gorgeous, the red dress is sophisticated but either will look amazing.

Having said I was planning on maintaining I immediately dropped a lb the next day Confused but actually I have sort of been doing a one day on one day off approach - maybe this would work over the winter Oblmov and newaverage? I haven't been properly calorie counting on the low day just roughly keeping track in my head rather than MFP, and not really having a calorie or carb aim on the up day but trying not to go bananas. I am probably speaking too soon and will gain 4lbs over night Hmm

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