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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
dogdaydisaster · 08/02/2017 07:44

Wk3Day2 weigh in at 223.5, from a starting weight of 242, so 18.5 lbs off.

Next target- 217.

yumyumpoppycat · 08/02/2017 09:09

Dogs that is more than 1lb a DAY! Really great start, you smashed the 5% health benefit target Grin

Sadly I was up today just when things were looking good for getting the xmas weight off finally (crying in despair emojji)

Loving all the yum food newaverage and dogs, I am going to have a look through my JO books for inspiration at the supermarket later. working from home today, not sure about lunch yet but prob quinoa, roasted veg, spring onion and halloumi for dinner as all stuff we have in. (we bought a massive bag of quinoa from costco a while ago which works out v cheap but I think it might be out of date already). I havent had bf yet so thinking about 800 or whether to stick to 1400.

OP posts:
MrsFrisbyMouse · 08/02/2017 11:32

Hi all - Just joining in as I think I might be in need of the motivation at some point in the near future!

Started 3 weeks ago - have been vaguely surprised at how 'easy' I'm finding it. I feel like something has just clicked in my head and that losing this weight is really important. (mind you I often feel like this at the start - and I never know what changes!)

Having a small amount of fat with each meal is really helping with the hunger issues. I'm not being totally obsessive with the counting as this has been one of my downfalls in the past. But as a keen cook I already kind of know what 10g of butter looks like or a serving of yogurt! (and I'm using the same bowls/plates so that helps with portion sizes etc) So I suppose it's mainly been the cutting out of snacks and and processed carbs - and just having lots of fish/lean protein and vegetables!

So far :-
(1) Sleeping much better
(2) No cravings and more alert in early afternoons (often typical slump time!)
(3) No snacking! Better for me than 'allowing' snacks as then I go offrail and start to bargain with myself
(4) Digestive system seems to have sorted itself out!
(5) So far lost 4kg - (initial target is 10kg)

Wishing everyone a successful week!

MrsFrisbyMouse · 08/02/2017 11:37

One of my favourite recipes is this:-

Turmeric Tomato Omelette

Dice some tomatoes. Heat oil in a pan - add tomatoes and a teaspoon of turmeric. Cook until tomatoes soften slightly (season with salt and pepper)

Use this mix as the filling for an omelette (2 or 3 eggs)

Yummy - turmeric is really good for you as well!

Scandicat · 08/02/2017 13:43

Hi all. Week's going ok here. Survived social engagement without cracking - sat and drank a coffee while my friends drank wine. Very proud of myself!

I'm a pound and bit down this week so far, so half way through week 4 and I've lost 1 stone and 1 pound on BSD and in total 19.2 pounds since New Year.

Welcome Mrs Frisby and Neenook. Mrs F I agree I've found this much easier than I expected. Agree with your (2) and (3). My sleep seems to be bad this week though, not sure why.

Yummy - according to my fitbit, I burn about 2,100 calories a day. Its a heart rate type one so I assume that's my TDEE. Is that right? Does that mean everntually that's the kind of calories I'd eat to maintain? (Although I guess they'll be a bit lower if I lose the rest of the weight I want to shift).

dogdaydisaster · 08/02/2017 13:45

That sounds nice Mrs Frisby, might give that a try.

Another slightly odd morning and lunch as I left my soup at home again!!! Had about 6 blueberries and a desert spoon of yoghurt before I left home as I was going into town. Then I ran into M&S and grabbed a hummus and carrot pot and a mini cheese block, that did for lunch with a few almonds. Tonight DH is making fajitas so I'll have that without the wraps.

I found that when I was in town on Saturday, I wasn't hungry until about 4.30pm when I felt really faint. I'd had eggs about 8.30am and just didn't feel hungry at all. So I ended up falling into a burger and chips! So I need to make sure that I eat something before I realise I need it.

HemanOrSheRa · 08/02/2017 14:57

Can I mark my place here, if you don't mind?! I've been in the contemplative stage of the BSD for quite some time Confused. I gave it a half hearted attempted early last summer but the time wasn't right. My Dad died last Jan, I piled on weight and have continued to do so. I am actually embarrassed to type how much I weigh now Sad.

Anyway, I HAVE to do something now. I absolutely cannot go on holiday this summer looking and feeling like I do now. There is no more kidding myself that I am curvy or plump. I am FAT. There I've said it. And it's all settled on my tummy, back and arms.

However, like Neenook my DS finishes for half term hols on Friday and it's his birthday on Monday. So rather than set myself up to fail after a few days, I'm going to start on 20th Feb so I have a good 8 week run. I'll use the time between now and then to try out some recipes and maybe have a few 800 cal/low carb days to see how I go.

I had the Tuna, artichoke and butterbean salad for lunch from the BSD recipe book. Very nice and filling. Although I only had half the recipe amount of butterbeans. There were a lot of butterbeans! I'm having the spicy chicken with lentils for dinner. Over 800cals if I was doing the BSD properly but under 900 so not too bad. I'm going to try some of the lower cal soups for lunch, I think.

Next week will give me the chance to eat up all the bad stuff in the freezer and get some batch cooking done ready to start Smile.

OnceUponATimeInLondon · 08/02/2017 15:17

Welcome Herman Frisby and neenook! Weigh in for week five tomorrow. Been ok pat few days.

dogdaydisaster · 08/02/2017 18:21

Feeling anxious. I've had to move the scales!! They had been on a threadbare carpet but DH kept moving them so I finally moved them to a corner of the kitchen where they can be left alone. So I'm trying to decide how to measure my weight going forward as I know the scales here will be different- probably heavier. Oh well, I know what I've lost more or less as the scales were pretty consistently going down. I would do 3 tests Grin each morning and take the average so the weight lost should be more or less right. I guess I'll need to start over and count the current loss on top of any new losses.

OnceUponATimeInLondon · 08/02/2017 18:23

I move mine each day, didn't even know them recalibrating was a thing until someone on here mentioned it.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 08/02/2017 19:18

I have a sweet spot for the scales, with each of the four feet on a different tile. Tis practically an art form.

Good few days for me. Soup going well at lunchtime and having pre-prepped snacks in the fridge is really helpful. Had a few mixed nuts and cheese this afternoon as a snack, and I 'd missed off half my shopping list on Monday because the baby chewed it, so instead of my delicious Rohan josh I had a cheese omelette!

Neenook · 08/02/2017 19:20

Thanks for the advice about starting after half term. That's a good plan, I'd definitely fall off the wagon at my sisters' despite my best intentions. I'll try and up my exercise and cut down on the crap and start for real on the 27th Feb...

APlaceOnTheCouch · 08/02/2017 21:15

Welcome Herman , frisby and neenook !
bear and dogday it sounds like you both had good days. Fajitas sound great - I can't remember the last time I made them.
DH brought in soup for lunch which he said was vegetable. It wasn't. It was spicy parsnip - which was nice but I was a bit Confused that he hadn't even noticed the difference!
DC was sent home sick from school so we have all been moping about the house all day. At this rate, I will need to hike up a Munro at the weekend to try to meet any kind of steps count.

yumyumpoppycat · 08/02/2017 21:24

Scandi I am not really sure how it works with fitbit and how accurately it measures your calories burned but yes in theory that is your tdee and the amount of calories you need to maintain your current weight - total daily energy expended (I think thats what it stands for!).

Welcome Herman, I think its a good idea to wait to start properly and give yourself the best chance.

New average shame about the lamb, my dinner got waylaid today too and I ended up eating chicken drumsticks instead of a proper sit down meal.

Hope new scale location works dogs, funnily dp has said the same thing to me just now, he is going to stop looking for the ultimate spot and stick to in the middle of a set tile.

Welcome mrsfrisbe sounds like this is really working for you - good tip about turmeric eggs - defo going to try that.

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 09/02/2017 07:28

So after my grand relaunch, it's week 1 day 4 for me. I was 12.7 on Monday morning, and this morning I'm 12.2.6 - so nearly 4.5lbs down! Pretty chuffed with that, and that should help keep me motivated throughout today as I have had a rotten night with ds and am out Ruth my cake friend this morning, which is a combination that rarely ends well.

Have a good day everyone!

dogdaydisaster · 09/02/2017 07:41

Well that was depressing! Scales when moved to kitchen are showing my weight as 239. So over a stone higher! And there was no variation after several tries. So my losses have been basically wiped Sad although I know they were there as my jeans are all too big. Just don't know what I started at, and looks a bit sad on my tracker.

So. Deep breath and onwards I guess. New target- 230.

Oblomov17 · 09/02/2017 08:06

Still here. I've maintained, not lost. I think as Couch says it's because my carbs are too high.
I've been having loads of carb free meals ... and then eating maltesers or drinking wine. Surprise surprise this isn't making me lose any. Hmm

Off to read thread. For inspiration.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 09/02/2017 08:13

Dogday that can't be right though, surely? If you are unsure how accurate your scales are, why not use the ones in boots or somewhere, then weigh yourself at home in a designated spot- then calculate the difference (eg my scales weigh 3lb heavier than boots ones)

thenewaveragebear1983 · 09/02/2017 08:14

Oblov I have had several months like that, feeling like I'm coasting along. Good meals but then wasting all my hard work on treats/choc/wine. I have no advice really, just wanted to say we've all been there!

dogdaydisaster · 09/02/2017 08:20

I may pop into slimming world and check their scales, I have a few weeks of a countdown remaining. But tbh I'm less worried about the total than the loss/gain, so it is what it is. Does make me wonder what my real starting weight was though!

APlaceOnTheCouch · 09/02/2017 08:58

bear 4.5lbs down is excellent- well done!
dogday that's odd that there was such a difference in the scales but, as you say, the loss is what matters. Have you been checking your measurements? I find they're a good way of keeping track too.
Oblomov I'm still fluctuating by the same 2 pounds. I know if I drink more water, walk more and keep my carbs down then I could breakthrough but I'm at my target weight so I think that's impacting my motivation (as well as having a sick DC, a dizziness bug and a very stressful life atm).

Scandicat · 09/02/2017 12:21

Dogday that's so annoying. But the loss itself must be real, right? So that's a huge achievement whatever, focus on that.

I've got a cold so feeling a bit rubbish. Just back from supermarket where it was so hard to resist something "to treat" myself because I'm ill. I know that's dangerous thinking though, isn't it. So I did resist, although I've got a ready made chicken soup for lunch - really fancied something warming (and not more bloody eggs!)

DD off for half term from tomorrow, so then it's all going to get very tricky I think. Already have several days out planned. At the moment, I'm thinking I'll take them wherever I normally would and just not eat myself. It's going to be hard though. There's a family party I'd set myself as a goal, which would be six weeks from when I started on the Sunday at the end of half term. Going to try so hard to make it to that six week point without slipping.

Scandicat · 09/02/2017 13:31

This is the worst day so far. I'm craving something sweet so badly. I thought I was over the worst and I know its all mental, but this afternoon it feels impossible. Going to go out and walk my dog and hope the cravings have gone when I get home. Sad

OnceUponATimeInLondon · 09/02/2017 13:51

Scandi! You make me know I can keep to 800 - don't give in it will pass. Cup of tea helps when I feel like that, with lots of milk, it's the sweetness and the carbs but better than chocolate...

dogdaydisaster · 09/02/2017 15:47

I've successfully kept away from 8 (eight!!) of those tubs of flapjacks, brownies etc that a colleague brought in on Monday for their birthdays but I'm really craving something today as well. There are three mini bites of rice crispie squares left so I'm hoping someone polishes them off soon.....

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