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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 19

999 replies

thenewaveragebear1983 · 10/05/2020 22:25

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.

Time restricted eating/TRE :
In addition to the fast800/ BSD plan you can incorporate a strategy of time restricted eating. Put simply, this means only eating between certain times each day to maximise your fasting time. TRE has shown to have positive results for weightloss, even if there is no calorie restriction, and increases insulin sensitivity/reduces insulin resistance. At first, try for a clear 12 hours without food each 24 hours, increasing to 16:8 as you get more adept at fasting.

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

information about the ‘whoosh’ phenomenon

OP posts:
Thread gallery
35
NathanNathan · 27/05/2020 17:22

You can definitely get to 14 - 21lbs Isee!

Postmanbear · 27/05/2020 18:23

Finished today at 853 and 21g of carbs and did an hours brisk walk in the sunshine.
I made the chicken, lentil and coconut curry from the book. Annoyingly I worked it out as a lot more calories than the book. It said 360 but I made it 460 by working it out on MFP which makes a big difference when you are trying to stick to 800! I’ve noticed that with a couple of the other recipes in the book too.
I’ve been looking at the labels on a lot of things 😂. If a treat is 5g of carbs (mini milk) but full of sugar is it not worth having in case it raises your blood sugar?
@Cream123 is it worth thinking of it in small time blocks? I was really interested in what he wrote in the book about 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off being more successful in the long term. I don’t want to think I’ll be on a diet all summer as then I think about the wine and Icecream etc I’ll be missing but I’ve agreed in my head to do this for 2 weeks and then reassess. This hopefully will help me stick to it.

NathanNathan · 27/05/2020 19:13

That's really interesting about two weeks on, two weeks off @Postmanbear, was that in the Blood Sugar Diet book?

I've been avoiding anything that raises blood sugar for the 8 weeks, so no mini milks etc. Well I've tried, have cracked a couple of times Grin

Sadly the book recipes are a bit notorious for underestimating calories!

Postmanbear · 27/05/2020 19:56

@NathanNathan I’ve tried to screen shot the relevant pages. It is in the fast 800 book. I do think it’s a helpful way to think about it. I find it really hard to stick to diets long term so maybe this will take the pressure off a bit.

Blood sugar diet and fast800 thread 19
Blood sugar diet and fast800 thread 19
Blood sugar diet and fast800 thread 19
RedLipsAndRosyCheeks · 27/05/2020 19:58

Yesterday was a brilliant day. Today started well and then ended less well. DS2 kept me up last night so I'm very tired today and I always struggle when I'm tired.

agteacht · 27/05/2020 20:05

Hey all

I really want to make this recipe by Dishoom (if you've never been it's an amazing curry house!!) but don't know how to make it low carb because of the flour... any inspiration??

Blood sugar diet and fast800 thread 19
SayrraT · 27/05/2020 20:07

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking on your thread for a wee while now and I've been following the fast800, I'm on day 9 or thereabouts and finding it pretty easy. It's great to read all of your advice and experiences as a newbie.

I generally eat low carb but too much abd recently I've just not been feeling it!

Since I started the fast800 I've lost 6 lbs which I'm delighted with and my appetite is definitely reduced.

The one question I had is about appetite, I feel like I could easily not eat dinner. Is there a danger of not eating enough? If I hadn't eaten dinner tonight I'd have just had broccoli soup and an apple (I haven't been eating much fruit but fancied an apple today).

I'm surprised at how fine I've felt and I've still been riding etc after work and even started the c25k program.

Planning on doing this (fast800) for minimum 2 weeks then doing 5:2 with lchf on my nfds. Will just assess the fast800 and how I'm feeling on an ongoing basis so may do longer than 2 weeks.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/05/2020 20:18

@agteacht is the flour simply to thicken the marinade? Could almond flour work or some other flour? Falling that I'd just leave it out.

I didn't count cals today but i did eat really well and all in plan. Salad lunch, with houmous and avocado; dinner was bbq but I only had a marinated chicken breast fillet and a small lamb kebab stick with loads of salad. I made an amazing Thai inspired cauliflower thing with cooked cauliflower, chopped up. Sauté in a pan with ginger, garlic, lime, and a little bit of coconut cream grated in. So tasty!

I have done 23k steps today so not too worried that I have gone over a bit. I really do promise to try and count cals tomorrow!!

OP posts:
NathanNathan · 27/05/2020 20:43

Thanks so much @Postmanbear that's so useful!

I'm coming to the end of week 7 and wondering if I can manage another week, been much closer to 900 this week than 800...

Justasecondnow · 27/05/2020 21:29

Hi all, still plodding along. Still doing this pretty much from recipes & meal plan in the book so don’t have to calorie or carb count (it’s done for me!) but do weigh all ingredients. I do sometimes worry I’ve gone wrong some how and the urge to say oh well! and eat, oh I don’t know, the entire contents of my fridge, occurs but I fight it off!

So far definite cheats have been, a teaspoon maple syrup, a spoonful of cake mix (worth it) and two g&t’s (Also worth it!) But I’m only on week 2!

Going to change weigh in day to Friday from Monday - so won’t expect too much from shorter timeframe to lose this week. Doing this as when I hit a plateau I can enact my plateau plan. A low carbs, but higher calorie day on the Saturday. I really feel I might not be too disappointed with a weight loss stall then!

NathanNathan · 28/05/2020 08:06

Morning, end of week 7 weigh in. Down another 3.2lbs, total 19.2 for 7 weeks. Starting weight 15st 11, now 14st 6.4.

I've decided to switch to 4:3 for the next 4 weeks. I've just felt exhausted the past few days, and haven't been good at sticking to 800, so I'm giving myself 4 weeks to see how 4:3 goes (which I was planning to do after 8 weeks anyway).

Then I may do some 800 weeks every now and then. Hopefully the shake up will help!

NathanNathan · 28/05/2020 08:09

My spreadsheet really shows how weight loss isn't linear!

Blood sugar diet and fast800 thread 19
Gilead · 28/05/2020 09:33

Good weight loss @NathanNathan!
I slipped yesterday as had to make some cakes for other folks. Didn't go mad though as I would normally have done, everything straight in the sink, no licking bowls etc. Tiniest bit of cheesecake and a tiny bit of walnut cake today. Stayed the same but am happy with that. It's safer for me if I let myself have the odd thing, I have a habit of just not eating if I'm not careful.

RedLipsAndRosyCheeks · 28/05/2020 10:10

I'm back on it today with renewed determination. I suspect I've put on 2 or 3 lb from some overeating episodes after tea over the last few days so I'm going to have some very early nights to break the habit.

whensmynexthol1day · 28/05/2020 10:59

Not posted for a bit but had a frustrating week of gaining and losing the same kilo (to be fair I did eat a ridiculous amount of ice cream on Saturday) but I have averaged 1000 kcal a day despite a few weekend slip ups so now the scales are dropping again.

Tantalisingly close to being in the 9s and only 1/2 lb away from a healthy bmi. I discovered a whole of summer clothes from just after I got married (my lowest weight ever) the other day and some of them very nearly fit. I'm much Wobblier though since then so need to up the exercise!

Just over a stone to go now....

IseeSwansea · 28/05/2020 11:06

Thank you for the welcome! So I pulled myself together and got on the scales this morning - wondering why I've made such a deal about it as I knew how much I'd weigh, and I was right! Well 0.6 lb more than I thought.

I actually feel better for it, I know where I am and where I need to go.

I had a good first day, and I didn't feel deprived or hungry. Today is planned, I'm well under what I've logged at 660 calories, but good to have room for manoeuvre if necessary :)

ilovemydogandMrObama · 28/05/2020 11:18

@whensmynexthol1day - Totally understand! Although am trying not to weigh myself daily, did so this morning. 10 st 4 lbs which is only 3 lbs off where I will be off the, 'over weight' criteria. Am fairly sure my weight has stayed the same for past few days...

Quite like doing intermittent fasting as once I get past the morning, feel quite OK in the afternoon/evening having swapped my idea of a reward which isn't chocolate or wine, and debit card is taking a major hit

Justasecondnow · 28/05/2020 11:56

NathanNathan they’re amazing results! Your plan sounds good to.

Everyone seems to be doing well today!

I had a running/carbs question. Maybe thenewaveragebear1983 might have an idea?

I usually run 5k once or twice a week with the odd 10k now and then. First week of this I did a short run every day, about 3k. It was hard at times but doable but 10k seems impossible on low carbs/cals. Really fancy a good 10k this weekend. Planning on fueling it with the BSD full English. But adding a slice of toast? Im really conflicted as doing well low carbs but really want to run and not hate it/run out of steam...

thenewaveragebear1983 · 28/05/2020 12:55

@Justasecondnow just a few of my musings about running...
Much as I admire the pioneers of low carb diets in endurance sports like Tim Noakes etc, I don't fully believe that it is possible to run long distances when glycogen depleted; or rather, it is possible, but for me it is never a particularly easy experience

If I'm racing or doing a long one I will use gels (one before), and if racing I will basically increase carbs in the week before and during training (if I have been low carb previously of course) effectively 'carb loading'

For normal runs of 10k + I will make sure I take electrolyte about an hour before but otherwise I do them fasted as I tend to get a stitch. If I'm doing speed type training within a long run I'll sometimes use a gel sachet as soon as I start out so it hits about 30 mins in

For normal daily 5/6/7 k runs I tend to just accept that if I've been very low carb it does affect my pace. Some days I will feel great and Trot up hills like a pony and other days I will feel like I'm dragging a corpse behind me. I do run frequently though so I've got over it feeling like a 'wasted' run if I can't get my pace up.

I suppose it's trial and error really. A 10k run doesn't really burn that many calories so be mindful of eating too much, and fructose completely bypasses muscles anyway so you are better to use something glucose heavy as fuel. That's why I use the sachets really, they are about 80 cals and quick acting carbs so I sort of feel they are 'used up' during the run. This may be entirely psychological though. If you're heading out just for a nice 10k personally I would go as normal and take with you something glucose based (dextro tabs are good, they dissolve quickly and aren't chalky) for if you really feel like you're struggling

Dehydration will impact your pace and ease so much more than carbs I think, and obviously low carb does flush water so make sure to properly hydrate before your run and after it.

OP posts:
Justasecondnow · 28/05/2020 14:12

Great thank you, that’s really helpful. I’m a total plodder and not bothered about pace most of the time. I do the odd race day but more for the atmosphere than for pb’s. I just want to get round a 10k and feel normal amounts of tired for me and not hating every minute dragging myself round due to no energy.

I have a no sugar electrolyte drink so I’ll have some of that before and take some with me. Think other half has glucose gels for his cycling so I’ll pinch one of them too.... much less likely to trigger a toast and butter obsession! I’ll let you know how it goes come sat.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 28/05/2020 14:44

@Justasecondnow I like love hearts also as a little glucose pick me up. There was an interesting study about how if you simply swill your mouth with glucose / sugar it had the same impact on your performance so I reckon most of these are psychological anyway! The electrolytes is probably more useful.

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bluepixie · 28/05/2020 17:50

Closing at 850 and 30 carbs

thenewaveragebear1983 · 28/05/2020 17:53

Oh dear, today has spiralled into a total write off. I blame a combo of dh off work on holiday mode and impending totm but oh dear.

Will try again tomorrow!

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RedLipsAndRosyCheeks · 28/05/2020 18:21

It happens to the best of us @thenewaveragebear1983! Back on it tomorrow is the best thing you can do. Life has got to be lived!

Postmanbear · 28/05/2020 18:29

Closing at 781 and 35g of carbs. Pleased with that!
Is there a carb amount we should be aiming to stay under? I know it’s low carb but I don’t know what that means.

I made the aubergine and chorizo stew for dinner tonight but used 1tbsp of oil rather than 3tbsp. I replaced those calories with chickpeas and peppers. Also added smoked paprika and it was lovely. Got a big plateful for 330 cals and even my DH and children enjoyed it!

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