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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
ButtonBoo · 01/03/2017 18:57

Korma sounds good to me. My ricotta chicken was just...meh. Very envious of the korma right now.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/03/2017 19:27

Mmm korma does sound lovely.

Scandi the recipe calorie counts are way out I have always found. Not sure why, but I think it's quite a common complaint!

Scandicat · 01/03/2017 19:27

The korma recipe is the one from the BSD recipe book. I thought it was a bit bland initially. It is much improved by substituting hot chilli powder for the cayenne pepper in the recipe. I also like it better with left over roast chicken added instead of cooking the chicken in the sauce. With those amendments it is very tasty. Smile

ButtonBoo · 01/03/2017 19:45

Am now craving something crunchy. Like crisps. Or those cheese straws in the cupboard. What do people do when you want something crunchy? And carrot sticks wont cut it!

Bogburglar75 · 01/03/2017 20:31

Calories do seem to be either over or under compared to the book don't they?

How bad is it that having left house at 8 and having to drive three girls home from sports training, not getting home until 9.30, I was wobbly as hell at 7pm and ate half a double decker? Does that reset my system and I'll start eating sugary stuff all over again? Still only about 1,000 cals for the day.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/03/2017 20:48

Bog no, it won't. Just don't do what I did and be catastrophic (and eat rubbish for weeks!) and you'll be fine.

I'm closing the kitchen at 1100 cals today- a bit over, but no worries. My ratio of fat:carbs:protein was good, so it's ok.

dogdaydisaster · 02/03/2017 10:11

I'm still stuck, but not despairing yet. I tend to follow the book calorie count and hope they know something I don't Grin.

More water today, I really need a new number on the scales in the morning!!

Oblomov17 · 02/03/2017 14:13

Just checking in. Welcome back Elvis.

EatsLeavesAndShit · 02/03/2017 16:18

Hello, do you mind if I join you? I downloaded the BSD book last night and today I am on it. I was doing the 'I quit sugar' diet but didn't lose any weight so sacked it off after six weeks and have been mainlining croissants since. My problem seems to be an insulin one, from reading the book last night, so hopefully this diet will reset my body and get rid of the endless chocolate cravings.

I've quickly skimmed the thread and you all seem to have some great recipes to share. Grin

thenewaveragebear1983 · 02/03/2017 17:46

Hi everyone! Isn't amazing how a bit of sunshine lifts your mood so much? I've felt a million times better today and really positive!

Food wise, had a brunch at a cafe with my friend and our boys. Mega calories but relatively low carb as I didn't have the toast or the hash browns (I've used my app but I think it's probably more) and so for dinner I have had half a pot of ready made soup. They are a godsend to me, I think just knowing that it's there means that there's never nothing I can have. Plus it's a very low cal dinner. So should probably come in at around 950 today. I aim for 1000 so I'm happy with that.

The dreaded weekend is looming. I need all my ducks in a row, so I 've got nice rib eye steaks for Friday and curry for Saturday (so no takeaways!) but still not sure I will manage without wine. I'd just really like to prove to myself that I can do a week properly on plan. I suppose if it's within calories I could have one glass, but I'm still hoping to go without. I've lost 4.5lb this week already so that should hopefully motivate me not to jeopardise that.

Bought 2 pairs of jeans today too. Go figure, both the same, one a 32" waist, one a 28 (so 14 and 10?) and I thought as I'm a 12 I'd try both, buy the big ones to wear and the small ones as a target. Weirdly, they both fit, and if anything the 32" are tighter. But as literally nowhere is selling any kind of boot cut or flare this season and everything is 'slim leg or skinny, I've snapped up both pairs for a bargainous £7 each. Grin

Oblomov17 · 02/03/2017 20:27

Bear that is really impressive how you've lost 3.5 lbs after 2 days and now 4.5 after a week. When you have so little left to lose, that is amazing.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 02/03/2017 20:45

Thanks! I've started this time at 12.9 and I'm happy if I get down to 10.13 (as long as I'm in the 10's!) but ideally I'd be a comfortable size 10 at that weight. So still a little way to go yet.

My problem is I'm very doughy after 3 pregnancies and 2 c-sections. And very lazy when it comes to exercise. Food I can do when I'm in the mindset, but exercise just leaves me cold.So maybe a size 10 is unrealistic!

Dh has come home from work, no wine (as he sometimes does on a Thursday) but with four delicious cakes and a bag of mini eggs. I haven't had a single crumb, went in the bath and told him I don't care how but I want them gone by the time I got back. So a little nsv for me.

Scandicat · 02/03/2017 21:42

Wow Bear, serious willpower and great loss/NSVs. You are on a roll. Grin

I've managed a low carb day today but probably a bit over 800. Was 715 after dinner but had a small glass of wine with my mum this evening after a very long day. Managed to get 250 steps for 12 hours in a row on my fitbit, which tells me I didn't stop between 8am and 8pm. Feel like I've earned it.

My food find for the day has been dried peas with horseradish. Slightly like wasabi peas but healthier. 23g was a massive portion, and 87 cals/7g of carbs. Way better than a packet of crisps.

Weight wise, still depressing.10.4.2 this morning, so still not back to my weight last Sunday morning of 10.3.8, so look like I won't lose this week. Like someone said though, almost time of the month, which won't be helping.

Need to run tomorrow but just so tired this week.

Justonemorecupoftea · 02/03/2017 22:20

Curses! My last post didn't work, pesky rural internet!
I am chuffed today that I managed to swerve some yummy smelling sausage and vegetable pie. I pinched a tiny forkful of the filling which was divine but kept strong Halo
My discovery of the day was some breakfast muffins made mainly with cauliflower and eggs. They were delish, very filling for not a lot of calories.
I'm still positive and haven't felt badly hungry yet so it's all good on day 4 Smile

RueDeDay · 03/03/2017 06:55

Hi all, mind if I join in? I am doing the BSD for Lent, so only been on it a couple of days. Am a single Mum with very little support, so struggling to get the steps in, but have gone for walks at lunchtime with a group of coworkers a couple of times! So far have done okay calorie wise, made some 'Superfood Soup' on Tues which gives you a massive bowl for 250 calories so the evenings have been easier with that!

cathyandclare · 03/03/2017 07:47

Hi!
I'm a newbie to BSD, but have been low-carbing for years. I maintained for ages but I think recently I've been eating too much. So cutting calories too, when I get to target I think the 5:2 approach may work well.
I like the sound of the horseradish peas, where are they from? Superfood soup sounds yum too.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 03/03/2017 08:43

bear a 4.5lbs loss is fab. Great news on the jeans and turning your back on the cakes too. You are a BSD Star !
scandi you may suddenly lose at the start of your TOTM.I know that's my pattern. Flowers
I have been rubbish since Tuesday when I made a selection of pancakes (and have eaten them for breakfast every day since!). My cals have all been about 1000 and my carbs between 60g and 70g. I did quite a bit of walking yesterday, going from appointment to appointment to appointment so hopefully it will all balance out.
justonemore your cauliflower muffins sound great. Do you have a copy of the recipe?

Onawheel · 03/03/2017 09:41

Well I ummmed and ahhhed for ages about 5:2 (which I have done successfully before) and the BSD.

Then on Tuesday I decided to just give it a go and seem to have lost 3kg already and feel so much less bloated.

Now I know this is just water probably but it's hugely motivating.

I have to say just reading this thread at the start of the day has really helped. So thanks all.

Justonemorecupoftea · 03/03/2017 09:52

aplaceonthecouch They were very easy and yummy, popped up on 'delish' page on a Facebook post.

1 head cauliflower (whizz in processor to make rice)
6oz diced ham (I added some chicken as well as only had a bit of ham)
1/2 chopped onion
5 beaten large eggs
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 cup grated cheese
Handful chopped spinach
Pinch salt, pepper and cayenne

Combine all, put into (well) greased muffin tin (makes 12ish) and cook about 180/190 degrees for 20-25 mins.

I tweaked a bit (incapable of following a recipe Blush) and had a sticking non-stick disaster but they tasted great Grin I worked out calories probably 60ish per muffin.

The video is on delish fb page.

I am amazed at how I don't feel hungry most of the time. I am very greedy usually but if my willpower holds I think this may actually work for me.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 03/03/2017 10:06

Thanks just. I think I'll try them at the weekend (minus the spinach as I'm allergic to it).

IWillGoToTheBall · 03/03/2017 11:00

Just - that recipe sounds great and I am going to try it this weekend. Can I ask a really stupid question - what exactly do you mean when you say whizz in processor. I only have a beat up old thing with essentially two blades whirring/rotating in the bottom of it - is that a food processor hangs head in shame

Scandicat · 03/03/2017 12:00

Well after my moaning, the weight came off. I'm now 1.4 pounds down on this time last week. Grin

Today is the last day of my 8 weeks. Will report the full stats tomorrow but I just wanted to say to all the new people who have been posting, I could not be more pleased that I did this. The results have been incredibly motivating and I really feel like it has changed my whole unhealthy relationship with food in general and carbs in particular.

So if you are thinking of doing BSD go for it, embrace it and set yourself small targets. I said 2 weeks, initially, and tried to see it as a medical treatment. I'm not a good eater of vegetables and I thought I might find it impossible, so if I can do it, really anyone can. It isn't easy, as such, but its not as hard as I thought and the feeling of being able to wear jeans two sizes smaller than the ones that were tight at new year is worth any number of servings of pasta or slices of toast.

And those who have been on here for the last 8 weeks, thank you so much for all the support and motivation. Smile

yumyumpoppycat · 03/03/2017 12:40

Wow well done Scandi. Your comment of seeing it as a medical intervention has reminded me that I took the same approach as well when I first started and it helped me to take it seriously. Although. I am still on the diet treadmill I have got my weight to a healthy point and eat so much more healthily as a result of BSD - not perfect by any means I still love chocolate and ice cream but much better. {touches wood frantically} and my late evening secret eating is pretty much gone over the last year.

Well done on your loss New average too.

I am down a bit on 5:2 but still losing post Christmas regain Blush I have an easter target of 129lbs - I am in a quandary as part of me thinks I might lose inches rather than lbs on 5:2 and should just be glad of that but another part of me wants to hit my goal Blush My plan at the mo is a month of 5:2 then maybe a week of BSD if needed.

Hello to all the new starters and long termers. I am defo going to do that muffin recipe too!

OP posts:
IWillGoToTheBall · 03/03/2017 12:46

Flowers Scandi - how fantastic.! And two jeans sizes - I would be over the moon just to drop one! I am a veg lover and wine, croissants, cheese and all things bad on day 3 so you are really inspiring me to think I can do this.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/03/2017 13:12

Ooooo those muffins sound yummy. I make a similar one but with tinned salmon and broccoli in. The kids love them too.

Well done Scandi I bet you feel a million dollars don 't you! WineStar