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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 and Fast800 thread 14

999 replies

thenewaveragebear1983 · 13/03/2019 19:48

Here’s the new thread for the BSD followers, plus those following the Fast800 plan. Everyone is welcome to join us. Here’s a quick recap!

The BSD/fast 800 is a low carb, Mediterranean style way of eating, with the primary aim of stabilising your insulin response when you eat. You achieve this by: eating fewer carbs, cutting out sugar and sweet tasting foods including most fruit, and by following a low calorie plan that reduces your visceral fat meaning that everything functions more effectively. Less insulin means less fat storage (in a nutshell, although more info can be found on this online). The blood sugar diet was designed to reduce T2 diabetes symptoms (or even reverse it entirely) but can also be used for weightloss.

Eat:
Meats and fish
Oils
Eggs
Full fat dairy products
Nuts, seeds
Pulses/ beans
Veg that grows above ground
Limit fruit: apples, pears, berries- in moderation, with meals, with fats

Occasional alcoholic drinks allowed (spirits, red wine are preferable to beer, lager, etc) although alcohol is calorie heavy and can influence your appetite
Tea and coffee, herbal tea etc.
And water- drink lots of water!

Avoid
sugar, sweets, and ‘naturally occurring sugars’ such as fructose, maltose, honey, agave, puréed dates etc....

Potatoes of any variety
Pasta
Rice
Breakfast cereals (occasional steel cut oats are ok)
Breads/ flour based products

Exercise:
Michael Moseley recommends HIIT workouts to increase calorie burn and help to tone up, and recommends walking more (increasing your steps weekly until you hit around 10000 a day)

Mindfulness
MM also suggests a programme of mindfulness, meditation, practised for a few minutes each day.

How to follow the plan:
Fast800: follow the plan above, sticking to 800 calories every day for 2 weeks. Ideal to give your weightloss a real kick start, plus improve your insulin function and reduce your sugar cravings.
8 weeks BSD- 8 weeks, follow the guidelines above- 800 calories a day. You don’t need to count carbs grams because the diet is naturally self limiting.
BSD 5:2- for a more leisurely weightloss journey, or as maintenance, or once you’ve done an 8 week stint or 2 weeks of Fast800, you can play around with a combination of increased calorie count, ‘free eating’ and fasting days (800 cals) until you achieve your goals. Many of our long standing members now follow this approach.

You can stop 800 calorie days at any time once you achieve your goal. It’s advised to limit yourself to 12 weeks maximum of 800 calorie days, but you should get excellent results in 8 weeks. Depending on your weightloss goals, you can do further ‘rounds’ of either the 8 week BSD or the Fast800. We recommend you take your measurements before you begin, not just your weight. A target pair of jeans in a smaller size or even a photography or two can be very motivating!

Some useful links:

previous thread

meal planning thread

<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=healthyeater.com/important-tool-weight-loss" target="_blank">TDEE calculator to calculate your daily calorie requirement

information about the ‘whoosh’ phenomenon

OP posts:
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36
purplespring · 14/05/2019 12:44

Struggling to keep up with this thread, feel like I just keep coming on to post about myself!

On the topic of emotional eating, this is definitely a big issue for me. When I am eating mindfully I make a big effort to pause before I eat and think about why I am doing it, especially if I am in an emotional state. Quite often it is enough to stop me when I think about how I will feel after I've eaten.

Yesterday was a stressful and emotionally draining day at work. I ate some strawberries and yoghurt at work at about 16.30 and then found myself in the Coop at 21.30, on my way home. Not feeling particularly hungry, just exhausted and craving comfort. In the end I resorted to about a third of a tub of high protein ice-cream (wasn't even very nice) and a small bag of salt and vinegar peanuts. Threw the rest of the ice-cream in the bin so I wouldn't be tempted by it.

I know that wasn't very nutritious eating but I'm still classing it as a half victory, I was able to maintain enough control to not binge on chocolate and other carbs.

Had anyone read Caitlin Moran's 'How to be a woman'? The chapter 'I am fat' has some interesting stuff about overeating. Her theory is that overeating/emotional eating is similar to alcohol/substance misuse, but its an 'addiction' that allows the person to still function, and thus is often a woman's/mother's 'addiction of choice'. It's probably a extreme idea for a lot of people, but I can kind of relate. Food for me has certainly been a way to switch off from thinking about how I'm feeling/my life/my relationships.

Anyway, so after lying in bed till about 10am (still feeling emotionally drained) I only got up because the postman was knocking. It was a delivery of some clothes I'd ordered for my holidays - they all fit and look nice!! Then I weighed myself (a day late, I forgot yesterday morning) and I'm now 2 stone 1.25lb down, in six weeks! A few people commented on my weight loss at work yesterday too.

I'm going to have daal with spinach, salmon and roast cauliflower for tea tonight.

PhoenixMama · 14/05/2019 13:16

Well done on all the losses lovelies! You're doing great!

I'm back down to my low weight of last week so I'm glad about that. Still feeling really fragile but I guess that's not going to go away any time soon. I'm really really shocked by how I'm not bingeing. I was too low last night (less than 500 cals) but I'm not hungry and weirdly not wanting to binge (although I do wonder if I started would I stop!)

Laska2Meryls · 14/05/2019 13:31

Purplespring that is an amazing loss !

Ohyesiam · 14/05/2019 14:30

@purplespring that is a great loss.

Yes to Caitlin Moran, I really related to her interpretation of compulsive eating as “ the coper’s Addiction”, its certainly part ofthe complex picture that is my relationship to foodGrin

SoyYo · 14/05/2019 15:34

I’m amazed at the weight loss you’ve all achieved. Bravo!
Work today didn’t allow me to stop for a proper lunch break. I had fried (charred) some asparagus tips in a teaspoon of olive oil and had 2 eggs ready to make into omelette when I had to abandon. It was around 1pm and previos night’s chicken breast was a fond and distant memory Grin I ended up gobbling the asparagus sticks (no mindful eating at all! Was ravenous) which calmed me down till 3pm when I could re-visit those eggs which I just ended up scrambling and having with a slice of ham on two Ryvitas.
Feeling much better now Wink

What I like about the 800 fast is that MM does allow you a ryvita or two, a handful of beans or lentils. I can give up the rice/pasta/bread and even potatoes if I’m allowed a tiny bit of carbs...makes me feel less deprived.

Those with issues around emotional eating I take my hat to you ladies: must be incredibly hard. I’m just too sedentary and my challenge will be

  1. being more active
  2. giving up my Malbec (I probably have a Wine 4/5 times a week. So not downing bottles or anything but I love the taste and I associate it with “evening down time”) but I’ve managed so far! I think I’ll also have 1 day off a week when I do have whatever I fancy (within reason, that includes some wine) because I can’t be as hardcore as you all are. I know I’d give up altogether if I didn’t have that to look forward to. In terms of eating I eat really healthily and don’t like junk food/sweets but I think my portions were too big and bread and butter (another weakness) has to go for good even on maintenance phase. I think I may have an intolerance to bread in any case. Like I crave it sometimes but it bloats me up and makes me flatulent Blush...I’ve noticed since giving up bread my gut is behaving lots better! Could you be attracted to foods you are allergic to? Hmm
thenewaveragebear1983 · 14/05/2019 15:56

Soyyo I have read somewhere that in fact the crave the things we're most intolerant to, so quite possibly. I can't remember the science of it now, I will try and find an article on it. Most elimination diets suggest giving up any food you eat daily as a staring point, so again, there must be some science behind the fact that we regularly eat things that cause intolerance/reactions?

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SoyYo · 14/05/2019 15:59

Thank You @bear Smile

thenewaveragebear1983 · 14/05/2019 16:03

www.wholebodyhealth.team/crave-foods-allergic/

Soy it appears that when we eat things which cause inflammation, we produce endorphins to counteract it, and then can get 'addicted' or crave, the endorphin high not the food itself. Especially things that are known irritants like dairy, soy, gluten, coffee. I've been wondering about my coffee intake for a while now, but reading this does make me wonder whether I should try and cut down/out.

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Laska2Meryls · 14/05/2019 16:08

Just remembered to drink the water again ( I have a bottle on my desk even so it shouldn't be that hard!) .. Glug glug glug ,.... another 750ml in...

SoyYo · 14/05/2019 17:11

That is exactly how I am with bread @bear! Thanks again.
I blow up and start getting really windy if I eat more than 1 slice a day but I crave and crave more as soon as I’ve had that one piece of multigrain whole meal toast.
Funnily rye ryvitas don’t have that effect on me. Nor does pasta which being wheat based you’d think would incite similar cravings (I like pasta btw but I don’t crave it).
So yes I think I’m gluten sensitive.
I’ve just gone through this link www.healthline.com/nutrition/signs-you-are-gluten-intolerant

I suffer from quite a few of the symptoms whenever I indulge my bread cravings too much (I’m fine with a single slice a day but I can’t ever stop at one and usually end up eating 4 a day on non diet days and even then I have to really stop myself from having more):
Bloating - Always
Digestive problems- Frequently inc going to the toilet more
Fatigue - YES as soon as I’ve eaten more than 1 slice I feel very tired and sleepy (I’ve had to go take a nap on occasion)

Luckily I don’t get headaches but I’ve noticed the difference, seriously, since giving it up.
I’ll stop talking about it now or I’ll end up craving it...Sad

@laska I’m trying to up fluids intake consciously too. Thanks for reminding us!

boldlygoingsomewhere · 14/05/2019 18:18

I blow up and start getting really windy if I eat more than 1 slice a day but I crave and crave more as soon as I’ve had that one slice of multi-grain toast

This is me too. I find it very easy not to eat sugary stuff and have never binged on biscuits or ice-cream. However, I can’t seem to moderate bread. If I buy a loaf intending to have just a couple of slices for lunch, I end up making another sandwich for dinner followed by toast for breakfast the next day. I’ll eat the whole loaf in just a few days. Confused

Also get the wind and bloating - it makes me look 5 months pregnant! I refer to it as my ‘bread baby’.

SoyYo · 14/05/2019 19:10

Yes @boldly I can totally pass on sickly sweets, cakes, puddings even chocolate. And even if I have some I honestly can’t handle a big portion, sweets make me feel a bit sick so no sweet tooth here BUT
Crusty just baked bread. Rustic rolls. Whole meal or Multigrain. Baguettes. Everything except plastic sliced white bread and I’m in bloated heaven Blush
Let’s not talk bread anymore, it’s very sad saying goodbye to it Grin

onanothertrain · 14/05/2019 19:28

Good 800 day today. Egg and Feta salad for dinner and stuffed peppers for lunch.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 14/05/2019 19:29

Boiled egg whites are a wonder food.

onanothertrain · 14/05/2019 19:47

Boiled eggs are a pain the arse to peel!!

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 14/05/2019 19:49

Only those tiny ones.

SoyYo · 14/05/2019 19:51

Cooking dinner for DH and I.
1 chopped onion in big chunks
2 skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning for chicken breast (I checked ingredients,zero calories)
Drizzle with olive oil (tablespoon)
And bake
I’ll have with tender stem broccoli and DH will add ready made mash.
Vegan grown DS can cook their own meal today.
I totalled above and reckon under 500 cals (without mash of course) for 1 portion 👍took all of 10 minutes to prep and put in 20C oven. I reckon 30 mins in oven but will check to make sure chicken meat is cooked through.

I like feta (can you have olives too? Pretty please?) and yes boiled eggs are marvellous

SoyYo · 14/05/2019 19:52

200C oven!

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 14/05/2019 19:54

I made a big pot of minestrone. I never fry the onions - just cook them long and slow with a bit of water (really smelly) - and use home made stock and loads of herbs, so all very 😇.

Lndnmummy · 14/05/2019 19:57

I’m so hungry and angry!! How long do I give it? I do wonder if I’m diabetic as I’m a monster. Uncontrollable rage. This isn’t normally surely? I have thought about food all day today too and felt so deprived. I also weighed myself this afternoon and I was up from this morning (duh obviously) and that made me feel really shit and I nearly had pizza for lunch. When did you guys start to feel better? I’m fine in the day but after pickup around 3 I’m feeling crazy until I have dinner around 7. I shouted at my 7yr old, I NEVER shoutSad. I don’t recognise myself.

I’m about to go into my regular boxing class but I’m sat here in the car feeling ill. Headachy, almost like I have flu. Please tell me it will get better❤️.

Waterandlemonjuice · 14/05/2019 20:18

Lndnmummy, are you eating enough protein? If you are hungry, eat something, just make it an egg or a piece of cheese.

Laska2Meryls · 14/05/2019 20:19

You can have Olives soy Grin

I am over calories but not by much ,
2 eggs for a v late breakfast, with a slice of wafer thin brunswick ham,

A small tin of mackerel (plain in olive oil but drained ) and green salad for lunch ,

Then this evening 100g beef mince stir fried with a little bit of red pepper and courgettes mushrooms and asparagus and chilli ..All good and yummy Pretty much on target ..

.. But now I have just had a bit of cheese ! ( mature gouda ,) .. still all ok on carbs , but now because of cheese am about 100 cals over..

Oh well, not too bad,

I Have drank loads of water today

onanothertrain · 14/05/2019 20:22

SoyYo I've always eaten olives on the BSD, they do go really well with feta

Laska2Meryls · 14/05/2019 20:25

tomorrow I have a early meeting out of office and another at lunch time, so I am planning on trying to fast through until after the second meeting,, but ill take (emergency ) eggs as am back into office in between , so can grab the microwave, if i cant make it until then

thenewaveragebear1983 · 14/05/2019 20:48

LDN it's carb flu, it's horrible, but it's a sign it's working. However, this isn't supposed to be a horrible punishment- so if you're really struggling, do eat something. Some cheese or ham? Drink a big glass of water. Tomorrow, I'd suggest you get more fat and protein in early in the day, because that will really keep you going longer. Maybe boil some eggs as a snack to get some protein and fat in an easy BSD form?

You've got a young baby, yes? You aren't BF are you? Be kind to yourself-Thanks there's no harm in having a bit more food to get through the detox stages. Plus you can still have some carbs so if you're really rattling with carb flu, maybe add some starchy veg like butternut squash, or oats (small amount) to take the edge off?

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