Appetite suppressants to complement 5:2

[Bambinoway]

hi there

I'm hoping to start the 5:2 in a couple of weeks (post holiday). I lost three stone on it seven years ago, but it has all come back with baby, perimenopause etc... I tried Ozempic last year and it wasn't for me. Can anyone recommend an alternate appetite suppressant to help on the fasting days? it could be a natural supplement or pharmaceutical. I guess I'm not looking for something quite as intense as Ozempic, simply something to take the edge off on the hard days!

Many thanks

You could try 16:8 instead. I found once I got over the initial period it changed my appetite completely. I stopped eating for any other reason than being hungry... as silly as that sounds! It's become a long term thing for me now.

I never got on with 5:2, I found it feast or famine.

I’m doing Fast 800 (so, 800 calories every day). I find doing 14:10 the most I can manage and that’s only because I have the luxury of not having to get up early so I stay in bed and read for a few hours to delay my breakfast. The diet still works, I think as long as you’re not grazing or eating in the middle of the night you’re fine.

With 16:8 and upwards I feel stressed and it leads to binging, so…I won’t be doing that, now or when I move to 5:2.

I have no suggestions for appetite suppressants as I wouldn’t trust anything like that and have just become used to accepting hunger most of the time, though I think mid afternoon and just before bed will always be hard!

I have lost 2.5ish stone with intermittent fasting and I don’t think what you are suggesting is a good idea. Better to think of low / no-calorie options that fill you up. Broth soups, celery, carrots, apples, black coffee / tea / herbal tea, plain popcorn, water / sparkling water and so on.

I agree. I find I can eat plenty even on 800cal days just by using psychology and bulky, low calorie foods. I’d not touch an appetite suppressant, especially a herbal one as I know someone who ruined their health taking some kind of alternative remedy that destroyed their kidneys. I’d give Mounjaro a try if I qualified but I’m overweight rather than obese so its not for me.

On fasting days I have very low calorie meals of greek style yogurt and apples, bone broth or miso soup with cabbage/broccoli and/or salad with eggs, tofu, high protein cheese or sliced beef for protein.

I make good use of fruit infusions and camomile tea through the day but have NO snacks as I find that a slippery slope, I find it better to eat fruit as an extra ‘course’ at mealtimes and follow dinner with a piece of chocolate and a cup of coffee as a ‘full stop’.

I’m 54 and have lost a stone in two months doing this.