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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 16

996 replies

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/08/2019 21:26

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 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)
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 at 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.

Some useful links

Meal planning ideas thread
Blood sugar diet recipe thread and menu planner 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

<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=caliberstrong.com/how-whooshes-impact-your-weight-loss/" target="_blank">information about the ‘whoosh’ phenomenon

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37
thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/10/2019 17:16

Thanks macca, I think to some extent it's just that I've allowed myself to slip into old habits. It comes back to it being more than just food for nourishment, but all the other reasons we eat, and it's much in control of those I am. In my head, rubbish day will always equal chocolate/wine/both!

Today's been a good day though- food was on plan, just had a chicken breast, half an avocado and mayo smushed up on salad. Dinner will be bolognese and I'm trying some soybean spaghetti
By way of comparison traditional spaghetti has 70.5g carbs per 100g whereas soybean has 13, plus traditional has only 3 g fibre whereas soybean has 22! So although calories are quite similar it just shows how different things can be!

Will report back!

Blood sugar diet and fast800 thread 16
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thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/10/2019 17:22

That should say 'it's how much in control of those I am...,'

Further to your comment maccalenny I also think it's because I don't eat properly on running days and always run fasted, which probably creates almost like a vacuum that causes me to just inhale any calories I can find. I think I need to have something there ready as soon as I get in from running maybe.

If I added my weekly calories together and had equal each day I'd probably lose a pound or two a week but instead I lose 5lb Monday to Thursday and regain 4 Friday to Sunday!!

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Maccalenny · 21/10/2019 17:52

Ooh the pasta looks interesting Bear. I’ve googled it at Asda and looks like they have a couple of similar things. I was aiming to try some new foods this week so that might be one of them. Let us know how it goes!

Peachypips78 · 21/10/2019 18:10

Macca I felt anxious on fast days too. Couldn't decide if it was psychological or physical!

I've felt hungry today despite not limiting calories which is worrying me - how will I manage on 800?! I work long hours in a hospital and am on my feet all day which doesn't help.

How do you all cope with weeks on end on 800?

I have eaten a lot of nuts, cheese, yoghurt and various green things today. Yum.

MozzchopsThirty · 21/10/2019 20:27

Good first day back
Closed at 610 calories
And did a virtual spin class

My weakness is day 3 😩 it always gets me

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/10/2019 21:30

Maccalenny it was ok, good texture but slightly odd taste. I prefer the red lentil fusilli, it's much nicer. It's still quite high in calories although 50g was ample. I actually prefer the texture and taste of the zero noodles (they are only 8 cals) but you do need a strong flavoured sauce for those as they are essentially water.
All that being said, the soybean pasta was filling, and I haven't had cravings or been hungry tonight. In fact, a few times I've wandered into the kitchen and opened the fridge, then thought no actually, I'm not hungry.

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Maccalenny · 23/10/2019 06:33

Thanks Bear - I’m going to see what my local Morrison’s have to offer.

I had sea bass last night - accidentally on the shopping order, I was aiming for peppered mackerel. It was really good! I fried it in a spot of butter, with garlic, ginger, onions and mushrooms. I felt really chef-y!

I did the meatballs and mash thing at IKEA yesterday, so 2lb up this morning. I’ve also bought a bottle of wine as it’s half-term, and have had a couple of glasses for two nights. It’s been months since I’ve drank anything, and I’ve noticed how much it disturbs my sleep and makes me feel dehydrated in the morning. Think I might be cooking with the rest of it. Isn’t it weird.....I bought it as a ‘treat’ but I don’t like how it makes me feel and it’s not worth the calories.

MozzchopsThirty · 23/10/2019 08:33

Gonna weight this morning
Day 3 for me, this is the tough one and I'm going to Wagamama tonight so there will be a few noodles or rice (anyone know which is better carb wise)

Have a good day all Smile

Fluffywithteeth · 23/10/2019 08:43

Ah am so cross - up 0.2 kg this morning - even without any diet breaking Hmm. It will be a week tomorrow that I started so am hoping it’s just one of those fluctuations . I would really like to get under 68 from my first week

mozzchops be interested what others say.... I would go for the buckwheat soba
noodles (and try not to eat them all)

macca mmm sea bass sounds yummy! I know so weird with alcohol . I can go months with out drinking but once I get in the habit of a glass or two per day I find it difficult to stop even though it doesn’t make me feel great.

Very stressful work day ahead so am trying not to eat my way through it (usual stress response!)

Have a lovely day all

Peachypips78 · 23/10/2019 17:46

Going to try your lentil pasta- is it in every supermarket?

On day three of cutting out carbs. Feeling incredibly nauseous and dizzy- I don't remember feeling like this when I reduced carbs before. Maybe it's unrelated.

Can someone tell me how difficult I am going to find it doing 800 every day? I'm nervous!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 23/10/2019 19:52

Peachy I have found it in Tesco and Asda (it's in the pasta section and the free from section). Re: 800 cals, just see how you go. You can always have more if you feel weak.

I've had a good day today, had ham, egg and avocado for lunch, and a chicken casserole for dinner with romanesco cauliflower. Then I've had a few squares of choc, and a few snacks during the day of ham/sausage. I ran 15km this morning so I've done a total of 25k steps today. Haven't calorie counted though but I reckon I'm in deficit

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Fluffywithteeth · 23/10/2019 20:51

peachy sorry you’re feeling rough - don’t cur out caffeine and make sure you’re getting enough salt and liquids. People do describe getting the Keto flu as they switch between burning glucose (sugar/carbs) and ketones so hopefully it will pass in the next 24 hours or so. I find doing meals at 800 quite hard - the idea of a limit is what I react to! So for me doing the shakes during the day helps me manage it. In terms of energy, my workouts definitely not as many sets and maybe 5-10% down on weights. I eat a lot to manage tiredness, stress and boredom rather than outright hunger so it’s those things I need alternative Strategies for

Well done bear!

Fluffywithteeth · 24/10/2019 07:53

So just did my weigh in and down to 67.7 so I’ve lost 3.2kg in my first week. So I’m going to try for another fast week of 800 (although a bit tricky with ½ term next week). I’d like to get under 66 by the end of next week and then switch to 2:5 so I do 5 days of 800 and 2 days normal.

Yay!

Peachypips78 · 24/10/2019 18:33

Thanks guys- feel a bit better today although a bad tummy. Feeling more positive now and looking forward to the 800 cal stage!

Well done for your loss Fluff!

Riddleofthesands · 25/10/2019 09:54

Hi everyone, rejoining the thread and starting again today even though it’s a Friday! Haven’t dieted for a few weeks, been eating a lot of big meals and lots of wine too, weighed myself and I have 18lbs to lose.

Strict 800 day, just fish and green veg for me.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 25/10/2019 21:26

Just checking in but I've had a terrible few days. All the carbs. Wine. I have run, but not enough to offset. I've eaten toast and no veg for three days. I don't know what's gotten into me!

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Maccalenny · 26/10/2019 05:35

Morning everyone - happy Saturday!
Fluffy that’s a great first week, well done.
Peachy hopefully you are through the worst now - everyone seems to say that day three is rough.
Riddle - good to see you back! Well done on the Friday restart.
Bear ...hope you are ok and able to move on from the carb-fest. Toast - I’m so grateful that my kids really are not big toast-eaters as the smell of it is so hard to resist - what is it about such a simple thing as toasted bread?

maddenlightfoot · 26/10/2019 07:42

Morning all! I'm now officially on holiday! Wine has been drunk, chocolate and carbs consumed. I've decided to try and stick within a range of 5lbs of my target weight rather than at target weight to account for fluctuations. I'm at the upper scale already!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 26/10/2019 08:41

Hurrah madden! This half term has seemed really long to me. I return to teaching after 4.5years off after this week; I'm very nervous!

Maccalenny thanks. The toast is purely convenience and a suitable stick to bash myself with I think. Oddly enough, I actually think I ate fewer calories yesterday and the other 'lost' days because I ate toast instead of meals and then didn't have anything else, so I stepped on the scales of truth this morning and I was 10.8.5 which isn't as bad as I expected. I feel crap though!

Funny I was just posting on another thread about how thin people think (it's very interesting to read actually) and saying that despite being slim I still think about food like I'm overweight. The only time I felt free of the daily chore of food, dieting, yo-yo weight loss/gain, - in fact the only time I felt slim with a slim mindset- was when I was fully immersed in this plan. I really want to get back to that and for me the key is sugar (or no sugar actually). Once it starts creeping back in everything goes awry.

So that's my plan, just that for this week- no sugar. Harder than it sounds with Halloween activities and trick or treating, DD's birthday (I am making a Line of Duty themed birthday cake!) and various things on. I know I don't want it and I know it makes me carb crazy so I'm really really going to try to cut it out completely.

It doesn't help that the weathers rubbish, I'm tired, I'm stressed about this job starting and about all the PTA stuff I have to do (lots of playground politics), I have a million crappy domestic 'life admin' jobs to do.... but I will write a big list and start chipping away!

Anyway, enough of my lamenting. Hope you all have a fab weekend/ half term!

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Peachypips78 · 26/10/2019 20:01

Hi all! How on earth are you doing a Line of Duty cake Bear? That's a bit of a departure from a caterpillar!

I agree with you all about the sugar/carbs. Giving them up actually makes it very difficult to binge- most bingey foods I've found on this diet are nuts, cheese and yoghurt, and there's a limit to how much you can eat of them before you feel full and a bit odd!

My first day of 800 done. I had milk in tea/coffee, turmeric and root veg soup and aubergine stew from the book. Just had a square of 90% choc and half an avocado to finish up.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 26/10/2019 20:17

It's top secret peachy, although I will post a picture when it's done! (My dd and I are MASSIVE LoD fans, we have AC12 t-shirts that we wear running and we have a special notebook that if we spot any clues or links when rewatching episodes we write them in, in case we need them for series 6 Grin)

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Fluffywithteeth · 26/10/2019 22:58

Thanks macca - although I stepped into The scales this morning and was up to 68.1 . Ffs. Am hoping it’s a run up to a ‘whoosh’! Very stressful time at work combined with giving myself mild concussion (trying a capoeira class) and therefore not able to do proper exercise has REALLY tempted me today. Have held off (bar a chunk of Parmesan cheese)...... so close to cracking!
Hope you’ve had a good start for the weekend?

bear - line do duty cake.... that’s amazing!! Photos!!

peachy well done on day!

madden enjoy that holiday feeling! Has felt like a looonnnggff first half of term - we’re on our knees

riddle hope your first 2 days have gone well

Right tomorrow will not be the day I crack!!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/10/2019 06:31

Fluffy I cracked unfortunately last night. Tbf my dd has a houseful of teenagers as it's her bday so we ordered dominoes - good lord, £60+ for what is essentially bread and cheese?! I was astounded. So I had a few slices of pizza and a few glasses of wine.

I feel really blue at the moment though and I know it's largely food related and external stress related. I tried on clothes yesterday in Debenhams to try and get new things for starting work and I left feeling very down. That's silly really because I'm actually only about 5lbs heavier than my lowest but I just feel so urgh

A strict week might be nigh on impossible this week with the kids off, but I'm really going to try and not just make stupid food decisions which at the moment I'm doing all the time.

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thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/10/2019 19:08

Line of duty cake....

(Almost finished, we have to 'stab' it with a fondant icing knife and drizzle fake (edible) blood over it on Tuesday morning!)

Blood sugar diet and fast800 thread 16
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Peachypips78 · 27/10/2019 19:09

Line of duty is indeed awesome. Def photos after the event!

Did well again today. I have the original blood sugar diet book so am dipping into that and the new fast 800 one for recipes. I have used SO much olive oil in 48 hrs! The grapefruit and manchego salad is delicious.

Are other people just eating what they want for their 800 or are you all using the recipes?

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