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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.

Combining fasting with low carb 1

884 replies

StuntNun · 07/02/2021 14:21

This thread is for people who want to combine fasting with a low carbohydrate way of eating such as Low Carb Bootcamp, keto, paleo or primal.

Disclaimer – I am not a health professional – I am relying on my own reading and experience. If you have a relevant health condition then consult your doctor before introducing fasting. For example, people with diabetes or high blood pressure often require medication adjustments if they cut carbs or start fasting. In many conditions, medications must be taken with food which may dictate one or more regular meals per day. If you have had an eating disorder, or tend to be obsessive or controlling about food, then fasting may not be appropriate for you. I’m happy to chat about any of these issues but this thread is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Why fast?

  1. To lose weight
  2. For the health benefits (e.g. reducing insulin resistance, triggering cellular repair, lowering inflammation, reducing blood pressure)
  3. All of the above!

Types of fasting

  1. Intermittent fasting (for example 16:8)
  2. Fasting mimicking diet (such as 5:2)
  3. Extended fasting (over 24 hours)

I will describe each of these over the next three posts. Most people start out with, or working towards, either 16:8 or 5:2. Before we get started, my top fasting tip is to make sure you have plenty of calorie-free drinks: water, black coffee or tea, green tea or herbal teas. You may need to drink more than usual because you aren’t getting any water from food during your fasting window.

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Oneborneverydecade · 04/03/2021 13:07

Sorry if my post came across as snippy @Bufferingkisses it wasn't meant that way

Bufferingkisses · 04/03/2021 21:11

Sorry @Oneborneverydecade I probably read tone into it Blush

StuntNun · 05/03/2021 06:43

So who's fasting today and for how long ? I had a late dinner last night at about 8 p.m. and I'm aiming to get through to about 6ish so a nice short 22 hours. It's a really busy day for me with school all day then an optician appointment for my five year old (who was told he might need glasses this time Shock) so there won't be much time to eat if I do get hungry. I'm going to have an emergency packet of salt and vinegar pork scratchings in my car for just in case. We're testing all the sixth form at school today so that will be fun!

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poorbuthappy · 05/03/2021 06:52

I'm with you today @StuntNun
I've only managed 1 day so far this week (not been a great week in this house) so doing today with someone will hopefully help me turn it around.
1st black coffee being drunk....

StuntNun · 05/03/2021 07:56

It's easy to get derailed Poorbuthappy isn't it? My tummy is already rumbling and I'm not even at 12 hours yet!

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Bestbees · 05/03/2021 07:56

In with the fasting gang too! Same as @StuntNun just doing dinner to dinner. This will be the third time I have done it this week. I find just saying I will not eat until dinner and not worry too much about hours is easiest for me. Might not be getting to the magically 24 hours but thats OK for me I think. I am switching my weigh in from Monday to Friday so I register my lower weight which I think will be motivating. Despite quite a lot to eat yesterday, including chocolate I am down about 1.5lb this week which is motivating. I def think fasting like this 2/3 times a week is sustainable, with the occasional longer one in if I can.

Dh is off to a funeral on Monday so won't be home for evening meal so may try fasting from Sunday night through to Tuesday. I don't normally eat breakfast but think I will need it. Might make up some Greek yog and keto granola to take to work, then see how I go.

Good luck faster! Sun is shining and we have got this!

Bestbees · 05/03/2021 08:01

Also, planning on a run at 5. Any tips? Should I eat something before? Electrolyte drink?

poorbuthappy · 05/03/2021 10:57

@Bestbees

Also, planning on a run at 5. Any tips? Should I eat something before? Electrolyte drink?
My only tip is don't do it..... Grin I am a failed runner and therefore hate it.
Bufferingkisses · 05/03/2021 12:19

So far I have done every day, I am definitely capitalising on beginners enthusiasm! Exercise is my next hill to climb , so you'll be running towards the end of your fast @Bestbees?

One question I have is about OMAD, I read your bit in the opening post and I'm a bit concerned.

I tend to end up only really eating 1 meal in my window because I struggle to feel hungry again before it's time to fast. So generally, it'll be fast all day with water and a couple of black coffees then evening meal of something healthy and some tea with milk in the eating window. Obviously this is working right now but it's early days. I've tracked the last few days and I'm probably getting between 600 and 800 calories and between 30 and 50g carbs. Even allowing for the fact its hard to include absolutely everything it seems low in calories. However I'm not getting hungry or having any light-headedness etc to indicate there is an issue, in fact I feel great. I intend to mix things up this weekend with a shorter and longer fast, will that help stop any negative effect of unintentional OMAD? Is there anything I need to watch out for?

Bufferingkisses · 05/03/2021 13:03

So far I have done every day, I am definitely capitalising on beginners enthusiasm! Exercise is my next hill to climb , so you'll be running towards the end of your fast @Bestbees?

One question I have is about OMAD, I read your bit in the opening post and I'm a bit concerned.

I tend to end up only really eating 1 meal in my window because I struggle to feel hungry again before it's time to fast. So generally, it'll be fast all day with water and a couple of black coffees then evening meal of something healthy and some tea with milk in the eating window. Obviously this is working right now but it's early days. I've tracked the last few days and I'm probably getting between 600 and 800 calories and between 30 and 50g carbs. Even allowing for the fact its hard to include absolutely everything it seems low in calories. However I'm not getting hungry or having any light-headedness etc to indicate there is an issue, in fact I feel great. I intend to mix things up this weekend with a shorter and longer fast, will that help stop any negative effect of unintentional OMAD? Is there anything I need to watch out for?

StuntNun · 05/03/2021 13:18

There shouldn't be any need to eat before your run Bestbees unless it's going to be particularly far or fast. Most people find they can exercise fine when they're fasting. I personally find that after 36 hours my recovery rate begins to drop.

Bufferingkisses if you're eating so little calories then you may well find that weight loss slows or stops after a while. One way to mix it up is to alternate lunch and dinner from day to day rather than eating at the same time every day. I would also have concerns about getting enough vitamins and minerals. Do you take any supplements and, if so, do you take them with a food containing fat to maximise absorption? You could persist with OMAD and see how it goes. If your weight loss stalls then you can change things up e.g. a feast day.

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Bufferingkisses · 05/03/2021 13:59

Thanks for your reply Stuntnun, I do take supplements generally, and have made sure to keep them up. I am not deliberately setting out to only have one meal, it just seems that my life ends up leading me there, which is fine but I want to be aware. Ok, a feast day/fast type approach sounds encouraging. I'll have a bit of a read up, thank you Smile

StuntNun · 05/03/2021 15:11

Buffering maybe think about foods that are easy to overeat such as nuts or something with cream in. That might help get your calories up some days.

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Oneborneverydecade · 05/03/2021 15:55

I planned to go from last night to tomorrow morning but crumbled after 17hrs. Decided to do it starting tonight instead. I felt a bit light headed, convinced myself it's down to the slight cold DH and I both felt we had yesterday and then thoughts of eating crept in. I ate far more than usual at lunchtime too.
As long as I squeeze in 3 fasts this week I won't be unhappy.

@StuntNun how long before you noticed some positive effects from autophagy?

Bestbees · 05/03/2021 16:30

Thanks @StuntNun. Had a cuppa with almond milk and feel fine for it.

I get so cold when fasting! Like proper shakey cold. Does your body eventually adjust? Definitely my appetite has decreased. Having said that my burger and celeriac chips will be on my mind when I run!!

Bufferingkisses · 05/03/2021 17:15

Thanks Stuntnun, I just purchased a load of nuts which I love so I'll snack Smile

StuntNun · 05/03/2021 18:10

Oneborn I think it's a difficult time of year for fasting plus all the disruption over Covid genuinely makes it harder to fast. I'm sure in a couple of weeks when the weather's warmer it will feel easier. I first started noticing benefits of autophagy when I reached 36 hours of fasting. They might have been happening before that but not so obviously. The first time I could feel the backs of my thighs were all tingly as the cellulite started to heal up. I've also noticed scars becoming less apparent with fasts over 24 hours.

I get really cold too Bestbees. Another reason it might get easier when the weather's warmer perhaps? In the meantime I rely on my trusty hot water bottle!

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Bestbees · 05/03/2021 18:59

I basically permanently have a hot herbal tea on the go!

Run felt hard but did 5k I 33mins which is about average for me. Stuffer two burgers with slaw, gherkins, mayo and celeriac chips in after. Then greek yog, keto granola and cream. Was starving but it is lovely eating when you are really hungry!

AnExcellentWalker · 06/03/2021 11:05

@Bufferingkisses I have at least one feast day per week. I always finish with a low carb tea though. For example:

B- Small porridge made with milk, some raspberries stirred in during cooking (they make it delightfully pink!) & just a tiny splash of cream if you fancy it. Or
Toast & something protein. Or
Low sugar granola & natural yogurt, fresh fruit, mixed seeds
L- a slice of sourdough toast, with eggs or half an avocado, sliced tomatoes, sauerkraut. I like the pink salt & a fancy mixed pepper blend with pink, white peppercorns, & other spices in too. It makes it a bit fancy! Grin
T- a normal style low carb tea, only it would be a moderately small portion, concentrating on lots of different veg to fill me up. Preferably raw veg.

Or

Brunch/go straight to lunch- same as the breakfast above but I'd have 2 slices of toast, egg & avocado, plus tomato & sauerkraut. Or maybe
Small-ish portion potato wedges or pasta with a healthy protein of your choice & some veg. I really like vegetable rice or quinoa, heavy on the vegetables. Maybe a poached egg or two on the side (Chinese vegetable rice is delicious, easy & one of my favourite carby meals)
Or lots of vegetables, some your choice of meat or fish, done as a tray bake in the oven, Mediterranean herbs, olives etc. Serve with a couple of spoonfuls of quinoa or pasta. Or garlic bread.
T- as previous, low carb.

I usually have a feast day every 5-7 days, the point with feast day, amusingly, is portion control. It's not a feast in terms of portion size, but just that you can have carbs, & a few more calories/a longer feeding window. This allows you to reduce the risk of going off on a binge, & reduces the risk of your metabolism slowing down. (I don't know if I actually believe it does, but until/unless it's definitely disproven I don't want to risk it TBH.) In any case, I think feast days are good for the mental health.
I've lost 5.6lb in the past month, despite being only 5'3", have limited ability to exercise due to disability. I've got about another 2st 7 to lose. I'd previously been unable to lose anything (actually been slowly gaining) for years. Thie WOE is an absolute revelation. I've been doing it a few months now, making little tweaks to find what works, & when I found this thread I thought YES! My people! Grin

I'm also making an effort to improve my gut bacteria. I often break my fast with a small glass of plain kefir, I'm taking a decent probiotic (especially as I just finished a long course of antibiotics), I regularly eat sauerkraut, & I use a lot of raw cider vinegar on salads etc. On a "feast" day I drink a little of it mixed with a small glass of cloudy apple juice. Sometimes I have a little ACV with fresh pressed ginger & lemon juice, in fizzy water on fasting days (it's odd but not as gross as in plain water). My bloating has definitely improved recently.

Bestbees · 06/03/2021 19:06

I don't plan a feed day but I have been feeding a lot today! All reasonable food but a lot of it! Trying to relax into it though as I am going to try a longer fast this week. Plus I am down 1lb a week so happy with that.

Anyone weekend fasting?

StuntNun · 06/03/2021 19:13

I'm not fasting this weekend as it's back to school on Monday so I may not be able to get lunch next week.

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Oneborneverydecade · 06/03/2021 20:48

I'm 26hrs in @Bestbees For once I am looking forward to being woken early by DD! What are you aiming for? I'm undecided between sticking with FD NFD FD NFD and sticking in a week of 3 24 hr fasts

I went for my 3rd C25K run this afternoon, my 1st fasting one and it was noticeably easier. I still struggle to run for 1 min though

Bestbees · 06/03/2021 21:09

@Oneborneverydecade well done for keeping up with the c25k. I thi k it's brill at gradually improving your confidence.

Aim for the week ahead is fast from dinner on Sunday through until Tuesday. I usually don't eat breakfast but may well do post fast. Then fast until dinner wed and Fri. Try not to undo it all over the weekend!

Bestbees · 08/03/2021 07:31

Morning all. Planning on fasting now until tomorrow. Anyone with me?

StuntNun · 08/03/2021 09:01

Not for me today Bestbees but I hope it goes well for you.

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