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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
thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/01/2017 08:37

Here's my breakfast this morning- 50g raspberries, 100g full fat Greek yoghurt, and 28g mixed nuts.

blood sugar diet thread 5
ragz134 · 03/01/2017 11:43

Hi all, I'd like to join this thread please. Downloaded the book last night. I've had success with 5:2 several times but the nfd are my downfall and also my under active thyroid doesn't seem to respond well to so few calories so I am hoping that 800 is more helpful. I find fasting easier than eating sensibly all day, so will probably have 1-2 meals a day most days.
Feeling truly awful post Christmas, I have not felt this bloated and ill for years. Why did I feel I was treating myself?! Have gained half a stone at least... I'm starting new year at 211 pounds (just over 15 stone) and at 5'10" that's bmi of 31 and a size 18. Body fat is 46% (how is that even possible?).
I'm a student nurse and most people gain weight during the 3 years, so I am really desperate not to have to go up a size in my uniform. Also my joints are suffering on the long shifts so another incentive there.
Alcohol and sugary junk are now off limits for the next 8 weeks...
Starting counting properly Thursday but today will be a fast until dinner and tomorrow we are out for a last buffet breakfast (our treat for grocery shop day) but I will have a low carb one (instead of my customary 2 platefuls plus 3 slices of toast and marmalade for breakfast pudding!)

LiveLifeWithPassion · 03/01/2017 12:38

Hi. Can I join here please?
Id love to lose 2 stones but I'm hoping to lose a stone by half term.

I'm planning on eating 2 meals a day and a snack. I'm fasting til 12 every morning and having dinner by 7. I find it easier to control my appetite i skip breakfast, or delay it til 12.

Today I've had 30g porridge with raspberries and 20g of nuts. I've got fruit for a mid afternoon snack then chickpea and spinach curry with a little bit of brown rice for dinner.
I've got some calories left over for a 'treat' which will probably be a homemade biscuit.
That's a typical day of things I like to eat so I hope that works.

Im also planning on doing planned exercise 3x a week and I also walk quite a bit.

yumyumpoppycat · 03/01/2017 16:01

Well done on getting back on Beyond - 6lbs not so terrible and you were so on it pre op so you know how its done!

Welcome livelifewithpassion! Are you following a vegan diet -if you can get more protein in you will prob find it easier maybe some nuts instead of the biscuit? Well done on your first day.

Welcome Ragz - lots of us have done 5:2 and found this suited as much better so fingers crossed you will find the same.

OP posts:
LiveLifeWithPassion · 03/01/2017 16:09

I'm not intentionally following a vegan diet Smile
I really don't like eggs and milk and tbh, I prefer beans and lentils to meat but I do eat meat. I also eat cheese.
I know you're right about the biscuit but dd has made some and they looked so good. It's still within my cals and I think the rest of the day is ok.

BeyondTheStarryNight · 03/01/2017 17:00

Thanks yumyum :) I'm looking forward to getting back into it now, need to do some food shopping urgently though Grin

ragz134 · 03/01/2017 19:11

Thanks for the welcome.
Today I have eaten during the day after all - two cream crackers, half a slice of brown bread and a lot of cheddar. Dinner was my redemption - chicken, roasted veg and stir fried cabbage. I can actually feel the brain fog lifting already...
Tomorrow will be a mountain of bacon, sausage, eggs and tinned tomatoes (last breakfast out) and then dinner will be leftovers from tonight (Wednesday is pizza night as we do karate but I will be opting out of the pizza for the 8 weeks).

ragz134 · 03/01/2017 19:14

Oh and DH is going to help me meal plan tonight before food shop tomorrow and has agreed we may have to cook separate meals for the DCs on some nights to enable us to eat healthier. We have been throwing out too much veg as he doesn't cook it for the kids as they won't eat most vegetables! I will have to make my own dinner on nights he wants to eat junk...

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/01/2017 19:17

Today started so well, but then dm and df came round at lunchtime and i ended up having a white crusty roll with my lunch. Not so bad, except it starts a chain reaction doesn't it, so all afternoon I've been craving sugar really badly and finally cracked (ate 2 biscuits, 4 segments of choc orange and 2 points of a toblerone in the space of about 3 minutes) - hardly a binge in real terms but definitely doubled my calories for the day and wrote the day off. I think it's just exhaustion- 3 bad broken nights in a row with pox-boy and today was dh's first day back so I had all 3 dc off on my own.
Tomorrow my menu is- porridge/raspberries & milk in coffee
Cheese and ham salad
Bolognese sauce over veg (the others having spag Bol!) with cheese on top.
Plus water during the day and I'm trying to get a green tea or 2 in there- tried the pg tips juicy raspberry ones today and they are lovely.
Going to walk the dc to school and then do a loop round the park.

Hope you've all had a better day than me!

diamantegal · 03/01/2017 22:26

My day was okay if you ignore the digestives I demolished partway through - I'm like you bear, if I start munching, I can't stop!

But otherwise I had eggs, bacon and mushrooms for lunch, and tea was spicy Mexican eggs with prawns. Which I've just realised was a lot of eggs in one day. Oh well!

Back to work tomorrow, which I find easier - less opportunity for snacking, and a lot more water drinking as it's just next to me in my desk.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 03/01/2017 22:35

I've ended the day just under 800 cals and just over 50g carbs. DH made bacon for breakfast. Then I had broccoli and carrot soup for lunch; chicken stir fry for dinner. I had quite small portions so I could have a vodka cocktail too.
We're off on a short break tomorrow to a place with amazing cakes and fab cocktails. I'm not sure my will power will hold Shock

BeyondTheStarryNight · 04/01/2017 07:53

My day one was not ideal, bit carb heavy (though good carbs) as I need to go shopping. Managed to keep it to 900cals though :)

LiveLifeWithPassion · 04/01/2017 08:00

Day one for me was ok. I probably went a bit over though as I ate a bit of unplanned pasta that I'd made for the kids dinner. I did an exercise DVD too and am aching today!

Day 2 and I'm going to be a bit more careful with food. Mostly same as yesterday. Nothing unplanned shall pass my lips.

Lovetunnocks · 04/01/2017 09:21

Today is the end of my first week and, sod's law, my weighing scales have died. I've ordered another set but they're a different brand so I don't know if they'll be 'true' to my old scales. Luckily I've been doing sneaky weigh-ins now and again and know that on Monday morning I'd lost 4lbs - I'm hoping at least another has come off since but I'll never know for sure!

Had a good day yesterday - wasn't hungry in the morning so stalled until lunchtime then had a veg omelette with a big dob of mayo on the side. Dinner was the beetroot falafels from the book - they were bloody lovely (kids and DH didn't agree) and I've frozen the spares. Then I had a tiny choc pot which was NOT in the spirit of the plan but only had 10g carbs and 105 cals. Craving something spicy so off to find a nice creamy veggie/prawn curry recipe. Have to say I'm really enjoying my food on this diet!

BeyondTheStarryNight · 04/01/2017 11:27

I managed to lose two of the six lbs I put on since yesterday. Yay for water weight Grin fingers crossed I might even be back to my lowest by the end of the week...?

Oblomov16 · 04/01/2017 11:49

I'm only doing 'so-so'. I was expecting to do better by now. Still dry. Food a bit all over the place. Back at work now, so that should help.
yesterday ds2 had his friend over. we got on our bikes and went to the bmx track. Even I did a couple of laps!! I had to stop on the way home, because I was so out of breath!!

Oblomov16 · 04/01/2017 16:54

Am starting to get a bit more organised : batch cooking. 80 small meatballs in pan on left; 48 large meatballs in pan on right.

To be eaten with courgette strips tonight, and bagged in freezer for future.

blood sugar diet thread 5
BeyondTheStarryNight · 04/01/2017 17:07

My shopping is coming tomorrow, I've had to make do with what is already in the house (read freeezer or cupboard) for the last two days. Which is easy enough, but doesn't feel particularly healthy

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/01/2017 20:35

Oblov that looks delicious!
I've had a pretty good day today. I haven't counted calories as such but I've had no snacks and all my meals have been on track so while it won't be 800 it won't be far off. I had a slice of ham for breakfast, milk in coffee, lunch was ham, cheese, cucumber and tomatoes, I had a few nuts at 4pm and for dinner I had a bolognese sauce on veg rather than pasta, and a spoonful of Greek yog on some frozen raspberries for pud, and a green tea. I haven't been in the biscuit box with all the Christmas goodies left despite having another broken night with the boy and being up at 5! That's a massive nsv for me as I am terrible when I'm tired and turn to the carbs.
I went for a long walk plus two school runs, which again is an nsv for me as I could quite happily have slobbed in front of the tv all day.
I just love this plan, for 2 reasons - one is the lack of the mid afternoon slump and two is the fact that it is so easy to stick to once I stick to it (does that make sense??). It's when I try and have a little bit of choc or a biscuit that I want more, if I just tell myself that they aren't going in my mouth then, almost miraculously, they just don't. It's nice to be back on it, let's hope tomorrow is as successful!

Lovetunnocks · 05/01/2017 08:03

New scales arrived. Week 1 result = 6lbs lost! I'm beyond delighted especially given I had a calorie splurge on Hogmanay and a parental dinner that was a carb fest. I'm craving a big glass of red wine but if I ride it out I've forgotten all about it by 7pm and feel super smug by bed time.

Oblov - that meatball sauce looks lovely!

alleypalley · 05/01/2017 10:36

Morning all, I'd like to join this group if you don't mind. I did 5:2 about 3 yrs ago and got very close to my goal weight but then just couldn't get back onto the fasting after a holiday. Put half the weight back on and have been doing slimmimg world for over a year now and lost very slowly and then hit a total plataeu and haven't lost anything in ages.

I downloaded the book on Monday night and read the whole thing in 2 days. I'm not diabetic, or pre-diabetic that I am aware of but I do have a lot of risk factors. This woe makes sense to me and I think would be something I could stick with.

So I've managed 2 days so far just sort of bumbling through it and using my fitbit app to count calories and have been just under on both days. Tonight I am going to look through the recipes in the book and do some proper meal planning.

I just have one question for now please. I am a runner and training for a marathon, on days when I do long runs should I expect to need a few more calories do you think?

ragz134 · 05/01/2017 12:28

Day 3. First day actually counting calories. Had to make my dinner before I could have lunch so I knew how many calories I would have left. Lucky I did as my low carb lasagne turned out to be about 550 (with only cheese on top, creme fraiche was too many) as I use full fat mince. Maybe less meat next time.
Lunch - small serving of cooked chicken, lettuce, cucumber and chutney. Followed by some strawberry Skyr (it was in the fridge and needed eating) with linseed topping.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/01/2017 12:54

Day 4 for me (although Tuesday wasn't on plan!) - had yoghurt and nuts for breakfast, just had leftover bolognese sauce with cheese on for lunch and not sure what dinner will be yet.
I need to drink more water - in fact, I will go now and get a drink- as I keep forgetting and then drink too much in the evening so I'm up to the loo all night!
Went for a walk round the park with ds and took him for a coffee afterwards, I had a latte and no cake which is definitely a nsv for me. Especially as I was with my friend who always leads me astray as she is impeccably groomed, skinny as a rake, and lives on full fat coke and cream buns. Life's not fair is it?

diamantegal · 05/01/2017 13:26

I'm only partly on it due to lack of planning and lack of willpower Next week is my real week 1.

But that said, had my usual salad lunch with a bit of falafel, ham and feta, and will be having prawn stir fry for tea. If I manage not to have the noodles I'll be on target, but DH gets a bit funny about me cutting stuff out. It's weird, if I cook a low carb meal he doesn't notice, but if I don't eat what he's eating I get comments about whether this is healthy.

Which is why my job for tonight is to meal plan properly for a good week next week!

Cherrypi · 05/01/2017 13:57

Can I join? I did this last year and it's the only diet that's worked for me. Put on half a stone in December and thoroughly enjoyed doing so but would like to regain control now. Had Greek yoghurt for breakfast and ham, cheese and cucumber for lunch.

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