Can I 5:2 if I'm vegan (ish)

[AprilSeptember]

Hello MN-ers

So, I have PCOS and am getting fatter. Currently I'm 5'10" and around 90kg. My GP has suggested I need to get to about 65kg

I don't eat dairy, eggs, meat or poultry, but I do eat a small amount of fish - only salmon, mackerel or haddock. I'm also allergic to peppers. I don't drink alcohol,

I'm just starting to read about 5:2 or other intermittent fasting. All the recipes for the fast days seem to include poached eggs - would really appreciate some experienced advice. Can I do this on my semi-vegan diet? Will it work with PCOS?

I did manage to lose 25kg on SW a few years back after having DS2, but I did 6 red and one EE per week, and lived off ham and boiled eggs. All my hair fell out but I went from a size 22 to a 14 and am now around a 16. I can't do it again now that I'm so plant-based.

I do have quite good willpower. Is this possible?

Thanks - and advice really appreciated :)

You don't need recipes for a fast day, plain water will be enough.

What makes 5:2 work is only eating 500 cals on your fast days, it doesn't matter whether they come from plant based foods or not. It is easier to manage on only 500 cals if you use them for protein and veg rather than carbs, which is why eggs are popular, but you can eat what you like, you don't need specific recipes.

I regularly have a bowl of lentil dahl with veg on a fast day. Do you eat tofu?

I do - I love tofu. I mostly eat beans and pulses for protein, and nuts and seeds. I don't really eat convenience foods though - I'd be cooking from scratch. Is is possible to, say, make a Dahl or a soup but still be able to count calories so carefully?

Of course it is - coupled with portion control. My fast day dahl comes out at 200 cals a portion - I use just a teaspoon of oil for frying the spices and bulk it out with grated courgette and carrot.

It's not quite as good as my buttered black dahl or ones with lovely coconut milk in, but it's only two days a week. Scales, calculator and online calorie resources are your friends.

Of course you can, it's a restricted calorie diet/way of eating

Good luck, don't give up when you plateau and keep at it

I'm egg-intolerant and soya-intolerant and manage perfectly well with meals based on pulses. I normally avoid food until the evening if I can.

Also, Aldi beetroot dip with some carrot sticks is a great snack if I can't last until dinner (which is usually not until 8pm).