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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
Chipsandonionrings · 21/02/2017 10:50

Proper day 1 today - I have been reducing my carbs so hoping the first few days won't be too brutal. Drunk about a pint of water and just about to have my first shake - they are all rank but its only 56 days ( repeat as required!).

Good luck everyone

APlaceOnTheCouch · 21/02/2017 11:45

bear I forgot to say, I love your new dress.

It's making me want to go dress shopping. Admittedly, I was in a pub at the weekend and realised I have lots of work dresses and some formal dresses but don't really have any 'going out for a drink or to a party but not to a wedding'.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/02/2017 12:07

Thanks place - I desperately need new clothes, tops especially. I threw out all the ones that don't fit or look nice but now I have none left!

HemanOrSheRa · 21/02/2017 20:55

Hello! I did say upthread somewhere that I would start yesterday. That went out of the window as I got DP's rest day wrong. He was off so I wasn't left to my own devices. So I started today and it's been ok. I had baked cod with green and white beans for dinner from the Hairy Dieters Fast Food book -315 cals. It was delicious! I had an M&S nourish salad bowl for lunch -333 cals. I skipped breakfast but had a pint of water plus a double espresso and a tbsp double cream. At least 4 pints of water Confused. I'm going to have a few raspberries now and maybe a small piece of cheese.

wrinkleseverywhere · 21/02/2017 21:17

Day two today & started with 30 mins cardio & 15 mins weights in the gym.
Two boiled eggs for breakfast.
Lunch was tuna steak with a delicious bean salad & some courgettes
Supper was a fridge raid - 2 x carrots with hummous, some grapes, some prawns, some celery, some yogurt
Snack was a little pack of almonds. I got stuck at work for an extra two hours and was starving as otherwise I would have just had a few. At least I avoided sugary bits.

outnumbered38 · 22/02/2017 08:10

Just starting day 3 and the scales are down nearly 4 pounds! So motivating!

dogdaydisaster · 22/02/2017 09:29

Hi all. Back after very off plan weekend. I had loads of social events and off plan eating from Thursday to Sunday. The scales showed a 5lb gain on Monday morning. But two days later it's all gone.

So I'm on week 3 (for 3rd time Grin)
Loss so far- trickyto know for sure due to fishy scale issues but approx 12lb

dogdaydisaster · 22/02/2017 09:30

dodgy scales issue Grin

Oblomov17 · 22/02/2017 13:36

I am really pissed off. I feel really bloated and I feel yucky. (Is that an official term?)
I have been drinking lots of water for 3 days. Feel worse. I am wearing a size 14 pair of principals black work trousers, that I haven't been able to fit in for years, and I feel like I'm bursting out of them and am about to pop.

I haven't worn work trousers, to work, for years, because I just can never find any that fit. I am very short, hourglass: I have huge boobs, tiny waist, HUMOUNGOUS thighs and a bottom that puts Kim Kardashian to shame. Have you tried getting work trousers to fit, for that? Nightmare.

I was diabetically low this morning, so had to start the day with lucozade. Not ideal.

How come I've lost 1.5 stone, but am still in the same size trousers? How does that even work? Everyone else on here is now in size 10 jeans. Angry

I'm just in a bad mood. Clearly.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 22/02/2017 13:45

Oblov do you think the bloated feeling might be to do with your diabetes? When I had gd, if I used to have a hypo and then obviously sugar to pull my blood sugars up, I would feel wretched all day, like a scratchy feeling/uncomfortable in my skin all day. Very odd.

It is strange that you've lost so much weight but not changed dress size. Have you done your measurements? That 1.5 stone must have come off somewhere!

It's horrible when you feel disheartened and feel like it's not working- everyone has been so supportive to me during my last few months of not getting there, so while I have no real advice just remember we've all been there. Flowers

wrinkleseverywhere · 22/02/2017 22:24

Day three here & I was 2lbs down which is encouraging as this brings me to the weight usually am on a Saturday morning but with three days to go (IYSWIM).
Breakfast - Greek yogurt
Lunch - ham, cold beef, cheese, mounds of veg & some coleslaw
Supper - fridge raiding again... ham, cheese, mound of veg & some hummus
Snack - apple

APlaceOnTheCouch · 23/02/2017 00:00

Oblomov Flowers it's rubbish when you can't see the results of your losses. This may sound silly but maybe your trousers aren't a true size 14 through washing and drying? DH has managed to shrink some of my clothes down a size.
Or it may be the cut of the trousers. I have a small waist and big hips, and although I'm a size 10 in a new pair of skinny jeans. I have an old pair of bootcut size 12s that feel uncomfortably tight. But the waist sits lower on them and hits where I start to curve back out.
Sizes vary massively from store to store too.

dogdaydisaster · 23/02/2017 10:01

Another 2 off this morning. Ran to slimming world today to see what their scales said, and they show a stone off since I started, so happy with that.

Small victory last night. I really wanted 'something' and opted for a mini rice crispy bit at 70 cals, on the roomies that is only have one. And I did; and didn't really have a craving for another, which was the first ever.

Hoping for another good day today. Having lunch made in advance really helps. Pepper and squash soup today.

HemanOrSheRa · 23/02/2017 10:35

I'm with APlace on the trouser issue Oblomov. Also, if you haven't worn the trousers for a few years, you may have changed shape slightly which can make a difference too.

I think I've lost about 3lbs. I'm on day 3. Is that right?! Seems a lot, although I know some will be water weight. My scales aren't that accurate but as long as I see the weight going down I'm not too bothered. I have a tendency to obsess over the scales and give up because I get myself in a tizzy.

I made the chorizo, bean and spinach soup from the original bsd book yesterday. Had it for lunch, it's very nice and surprisingly filling. I'm having the other half of it today and making the Hairy Dieters skinny chilli for dinner with salad or veg of some description.

dogdaydisaster · 23/02/2017 12:38

I really must check for predictive text before pressing post Grin

dogdaydisaster · 23/02/2017 13:36

Oblomov. I'm delighted to be feeling comfortable in my 18s bit I'm envious of those into 10s. But I have many pairs of 18 next work trousers that still don't fit and others that are getting way too big. So it's impossible to go by size I think.

Heman- I'm the queen of scales issues. After two weeks of thinking I had finally broken into the 15 stone range, I finally moved the scales into a decent spot and I was a stone heavier!! However I have now broken into the 16s and I'm not going back!! 3lb is about right for the first few days, it's really motivating, isn't it?!

APlaceOnTheCouch · 23/02/2017 16:36

NSV today - I've lost 2.5 inches since January.

Scandicat · 23/02/2017 18:38

Hello everyone. I'm away at the moment staying with DH's mum. Stuck to diet so far but out for dinner shortly, pub does lovely food and the weather is so grim I really want to eat something warming.

Oblomov, I am short and curvy. I'm fine with jeans but hopeless with smart trousers. Don't have a single pair I can wear. They all look horrific. And I've lost inches off my waist but not necessarily elsewhere so weight loss hasn't helped with that. Like others said, I'm sure it must show somewhere, you just can't see it.

wrinkleseverywhere · 23/02/2017 23:02

It sounds as though everyone is doing well.
I had an OK day. No exercise as I'm shattered (I should probably go to sleep rather than post this!) but did do a lot of walking around shops if that counts I doubt it.
Breakfast - 2 eggs, scrambled
Lunch - sweet corn & yellow peppper soup with 2 little rolls with butter in M&S cafe. Divine!
Supper - pork tenderloin cooked in a cream & cider sauce with loads of veg (but no potatoes)
Drinks - latte, loads of tea, some water

dogdaydisaster · 24/02/2017 07:50

Morning all. Stayed same today. Happy with that as was probably about 1000 cals yesterday as was so hungry. All low carb though, just quite a lot of ff yoghurt and cheese. Hope you all have a good day

Oblomov17 · 24/02/2017 07:51

Well done everyone!

Thanks for all the comforting words. Of course you are right! I have a beautiful dark teal dress that people always compliment me on. I wore it 2 weeks ago. It was hanging off me. It is one of my favourites. I don't think I'll be able to wear it again.

I clearly have lost weight from my waist (where I don't need it) and from across my shoulders and my neck. Who wants to lose friggin weight from their neck? Hmm But it hasn't gone from those stubborn areas that I want it to: thighs and bottom. Typical. Oh well.

I have too much food in, already prepared:

Peppers and Lentils with feta
Cauliflower curry
Carrots and humous
Spicy squash and chilli soup.

Hopefully I can eat them all in the right order so nothing gets wasted.

I am going to a party tonight. Will be drinking sparkling water.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 24/02/2017 08:05

Morning all. I've been lurking all week, as lets face it, it's half term. Not quite the low carb salad fest I had planned. Plus I'm still ill. Literally, 4 weeks now, every morning I wake up and either my throat hurts, my nose is stuffy or I feel generally crappy.

No kids today though, I'm building some IKEA furniture and doing housework and will do my plan and shopping list for next week so I can be totally on it.

Welcome to all the newbies and good luck!

Scandicat · 24/02/2017 18:38

Sorry you're still unwell, Bear, that's rubbish.

I've been very hungry today. But I did go for a run with DH this morning and I ran 4k without stopping. I always stop - so that's a real achievement. I'm sure its because I'm carrying 1.10 stone less around with me.

Scandicat · 24/02/2017 19:19

PS, does anyone else find the day after a bad day almost impossible. I'm really struggling tonight. Trying to drink water/herbal tea and ignore the horrible food cravings.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 25/02/2017 08:35

Gosh yes Scandi it's as with any addiction really I suppose, in that a bad day off plan just reawakens my sweet tooth and my carb monster. I reckon I need 3 consequetive good days to get myself fully on track.

Busy day today. My previous days of building furniture are culminating in today- dad-drilling-into-wall day. I am disproportionately excited about what is essentially a 65 year old man drilling 20 holes into my walls- because it symbolises our first real break in 3.5 months since moving in. We're having a wall built on Monday to create a playroom so we've been working towards this date since November to get everything ready, decorated etc. I can't wait to have my weekends back!!!!

Have a great day everyone!