Talk to Michael Mosley about Intermittent Fasting, Wednesday 23 January, 12pm - 1pm.

[RachelMumsnet]

On Wednesday at 12pm midday Michael Mosley will be joining us for a webchat and to answer questions on Intermittent Fasting (also known as 5:2 diet).

Michael is a medical Journalist whose BBC Horizon Programme in August last year first introduced the UK to Intermittent Fasting. His latest book The Fast Diet presents the science behind the diet, whilst his co-author, Mimi Spencer explains the practicalities and how to go about it. The idea behind Fast Dieting is that you eat normally for five days and then then consume just 500 calories (women) and 600 calories (men) on two fasting days each week.

If you're interested in finding out more, join Michael Mosley on Wednesday 23 January at 12 midday or post a question to Michael in advance here.

Mumsnet Academy is now offering you the chance to join 5:2 The Fast Diet Course with Michael Mosley, a one day course in Central London on Friday 15 February. Book your tickets

[GreenEggsAndNichts]

Hello Dr Mosley, thanks so much for finally stopping by. :) As you and your researchers know, we're big fans of your work over on the 5:2 threads.

My question is: have there been (or do you know of any planned upcoming) studies regarding differences in the way male and female bodies react to this diet? From responses to our threads, and articles I've read online, it seems as if this works extremely well for weight loss in men, and in post-menopausal women, but might be hit or miss with younger women of childbearing age. This could just be anecdotal, but it does seem worthy of a study if someone were so inclined.

Also, I realise this is making two questions, but I think this is the number one most popular question worth clarifying for the many people who ask us on the threads: are we to assume that on non-fast days, we should be eating approximately our TDEE allowance? Obviously we all have different definitions of "eat what you want", as that's how we gained excess weight in the first place!

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions. For myself, I've probably lost 18 pounds since August, and I'm extremely pleased with that. Christmas, for the first time in a very long time, was not riddled with guilt over what I "should" or should not be eating!

[Nyx]

Marking my spot so I can find the thread again later. I will say I have been doing this since new year and am loving it. I feel fantastic. I have never ever dieted or counted a single calorie in the past - I did need to, but never had. This way of eating is so simple and yet I have felt benefits already. I'm fascinated by it and am looking forward to reading the webchat (will be working while it is happening though).

[growingweeble]

I recently tried fasting but felt so awful. I became really cold, foggy head, legs wouldn't work. In the middle of the night I had to drink some coca cola to make me feel better (I never normally drink coke, but felt I needed sugar quick).

I didnt have a blood test so can't be sure what my blood sugars were doing. I'm healthy, as far as I know, without any medical conditions.

What is a normal reaction to fasting, and when should you seek medical help?

[growingweeble]

I should have added that I am breast feeding an 8 month old. I increased by calorie allowance to about 700 to give some allowance for that.

[chroniclackofimagination]

Hi, just wanted to add my voice to the others asking if the 5:2 is OK for breastfeeding mothers. I'm exclusively feeding a 10 week old and am 2 stone overweight post-pregnancy. I don't want to risk my baby's wellbeing but would love to try this way of eating as the science makes sense and it would fit so well into our lifestyle.

[risemere]

Would Dr. Mosley please clarify if the Alternative Day Fasting regime is 24 hours or 36 hours? It is unclear if the standard regime ( small breakfast, small dinner) is preceded by a night's sleep (i.e. no food) and followed by a night's sleep ( no food)! So, after you small dinner, do you fast until your 'normal breakfast' on the following day. In other words, 'what is a day'? Thank you.

[Curryqueen101]

If I exercise on Fasting days, is it possible to totally or partially offset the calories burned (I have an exercise bike which tells me the amount of calories used) against food intake?

[Salbertina]

Hi Michael

I started trying the Genesis IF diet on which I believe your version was based.
Which would you recommend for women with a family history of breast cancer?

Ditto qu. re this diet for women of childbearing age.

Thanks

[Kirsty3333]

Hi Dr Mosley, I was wondering what your thoughts were on VLCD as a weight management tool? Looking at sensible, controlled calorie intake every day?

Thanks!

[LouiseMarie]

How many extra calories would be recommended on fast days for breastfeeding mums? Have completed 2 days over the past week but am really hungry and feel I make up for it by eating loads the next day! Is that normal?

Thanks!

[RachelMumsnet]

Michael is here and ready to start. Welcome to Mumsnet Michael...

[MichaelMosley]

Hi everyone, I am here at Mumsnet HQ surrounded by busy looking people, drinking black coffee and resisting biscuits

[justonemorepie]

Hiya,
I've been doing ADF since 3rd Jan and I am pleased with the results.
I keep getting told that 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' and on a fast day I don't eat until the evening. Can you give me a quick come back for those who don't endorse fasting re breakfast. I find myself drawn into lengthy conversations about the benefits of fasting.
Many thanks

[MichaelMosley]

@LouiseMarie

How many extra calories would be recommended on fast days for breastfeeding mums? Have completed 2 days over the past week but am really hungry and feel I make up for it by eating loads the next day! Is that normal?

Thanks!

i am conservative about these things and would not actually recommend breast feeding mums do fasting. I think you have enough to cope with anyway and the energy demands are high. Not aware of anyone who has studied this in humans

[Salbertina]

Hello Michael, love a coffee please, smidgeon of cream but no biscuits as fasting today

[MichaelMosley]

@justonemorepie

Hiya,
I've been doing ADF since 3rd Jan and I am pleased with the results.
I keep getting told that 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' and on a fast day I don't eat until the evening. Can you give me a quick come back for those who don't endorse fasting re breakfast. I find myself drawn into lengthy conversations about the benefits of fasting.
Many thanks

People may say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but all breakfast means is when you break your fast. Some people like eating in the morning (i do) others prefer to eat later in the day. In the trials run by Dr Krista Varady the 500 calories were eaten all in one meal, at lunch

[MandaHugNKiss]

OOoh, black coffee and resisting biscuits... fast day Mr. Moseley?

(I'm a breastfeeding ADF'er, incidently)

[MichaelMosley]

@Kirsty3333

Hi Dr Mosley, I was wondering what your thoughts were on VLCD as a weight management tool? Looking at sensible, controlled calorie intake every day?

Thanks!

Sensible controlled calorie intake is great if you can do it. The problem is lots don't manage. That is why 5:2 was invented. Dr Michelle Harvie of the Genesis Project in Manchester did a randomised trial comparing standard low calorie diet with 5:2 and found after 4 months women were twice as likely to stick to 5:2, lost more weight and had better biomarkers

[MichaelMosley]

@TravelinColour

Hi Dr M. I really enjoyed your programme on this and was impressed at your results. My experience of 'naturally slim' people is that they tend to eat more like this (feast one day, fast the next couple of days) than to eat the same amount each day.

My question is whether this diet is more compatible with certain types of food. I'm thinking particularly of whether it is more beneficial to eat low GI / low carb, particularly on the fast days. I wonder if eating all your 500 calories as high GI carbs would make this way of eating very difficult to stick to.

I have a big section in my book, The Fast Diet, about GI and carbs, particularly on fasting days. I recommend relatively high protein, low carbs, low GI on fasting. The recipes in book based on that principle

[MichaelMosley]

@Salbertina

Hi Michael

I started trying the Genesis IF diet on which I believe your version was based. Which would you recommend for women with a family history of breast cancer? Ditto qu. re this diet for women of childbearing age.

Thanks

My diet is not directly based on the Genesis IF diet, but I am certainly aware of Dr Harvie's work and she has a book coming out soon which i am looking forward to reading. As you may know women on her 2 Day Diet not only lost weight but showed increased insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammatory markers, all of which reduce cancer risk. I asked Dr Mattson, who is the guiding genius behind this work about women of childbearing age and he said there was no known risk. If you starve women then their fertility will be threatened, in a reversal manner, but intermittent fasting is not anything like starvation

[tomorrowweeat]

Why is this WOE unsuitable for type2 diabetics and should you reduce Metformin dosage on fast days?

[BIWI]

I'm a long-term low carber, and have lost 2 stones recently. I still have around half a stone to go. However, the adoption of this way of eating and especially my commitment to it, is actually about the long-term health benefits that it offers.

I was especially interested in your programme because of the long term health benefits that you suggested that fasting can achieve. I have toyed with fasting (either 5:2 or intermittent fasting) but not really got the hang of it yet!

I am 53 and menopausal. Is there any evidence or suggestion that fasting is any better or more difficult once we are past the menopause?