Webchat with Dr Michael Mosley, author of The Fast Diet and The Fast 800, on Tuesday 15 January at 1pm

[BojanaMumsnet]

Hello

We’re pleased to announce a webchat with Dr Michael Mosley on Tuesday 15 January, 1 - 2pm. Dr Mosley published The Fast Diet five years ago about the power of intermittent fasting. He has recently published The Fast 800 - where he updates the science and provides a programme built around an 800 calorie fasting day.

The book contains exercise plans and recipes - plus a range of tools designed to improve brain function and reducing blood pressure and inflammation.

Michael Mosley trained as a doctor before becoming a journalist and television presenter. He is the author of The Fast Diet, The 8-Week Blood Sugar Diet, and The Clever Guts Diet. He is married with four children.

Please do join the chat on Tuesday. If you can’t make it, please leave a question here in advance. Do bear in mind the webchat guidelines - one question each (follow-ups allowed if there’s time).

Thanks
MNHQ

@Oblomov19

1)In this day and age it's almost impossible to believe what we are being told. I feel terrible saying this, but How do we know that soon this won't just be seen as yet another 'Fad' that goes out of fashion or is disproved?

Most people are overweight. 66% of the UK population, are overweight. Fact. We have a problem controlling our weight in the UK. Most find it hard.

For many, unless you have a will of steel, in which case you probably wouldn't struggle at all with your weight, BSD as a WOE, is too restrictive for most people to stick to it closely enough long term.

2)What does MM think of this point?

That is a fair enough question. I would say that all my claims are based on science and since I wrote The Fast Diet 7 years ago the science has only got stronger. There have been numerous studies showing the benefits of intermittent fasting, and more recently 3 really big studies showing the benefits of 800 calorie rapid weight loss. I am aware of two more huge studies that will be published next year. So I am confident that I have science on my side. Before buying any diet book look at the back and see if there are any scientific references. If not at least 40 then put the book back down. There are many terrible diets out there and that is why so many people believe dieting doesn't work

@MrsEricBana

Hi Michael, Big fan of the BSD here. Totally agree re the Daily Mail - just no! Re fibre, surely following the BSD basically comes down to eating "some protein + some veg 3 times a day, plus lots of water" in which case I find I'm consuming a lot of fibre over the day in the form of, say, egg, avocado & tomato at breakfast, chicken salad at lunch and fish and pile of veg in the evening. So I'm not sure that is a valid criticism really as these things are most definitely fibrous.

There was a big study which was published recently showing the benefits of fibre for reducing weight, cutting your risk of bowel cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. These all seem to be because a fibre-rich diet feeds the microbes in your gut, which in turn produce powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Avocados and tomatoes actually have decent amounts of fibre and most of the recipes are fibre-rich. I am a particular of legumes, such as kidney beans and lentils, which are very rich in fibre. I will post a recipe of my wife's red kidney bean and chocolate cake, which is delicious. Even the kids don't know it's got kidney beans.

@HalloumiGus

Marking place to read the answers! But will only the 800cal BSD be effective against diabetes?

The main reason why people develop type 2 diabetes is because they accumulate fat in the pancreas and in the liver. What Professor Taylor of Newcastle university has shown is that a rapid weight loss diet, 800 calories a day for up to 20 weeks, not only leads to sustained weight loss at a year of over 10kg (22 pounds) but can reverse type 2 diabetes in around half of people. The more weight you lose the more benefit you get.

@SpikyHedgehogg

Hi Michael,

Your Blood Sugar book has interrupted my terrible approach to sugar. For years I was easily consuming 1200 calories of chocolate and biscuits, sometimes 1800. I don’t know how I am not diabetic.

Now I can go weeks without a bite of junk sugar, but every now and then I binge. Is this dangerous?

I am very much the same. I can go for long periods of time now without eating sugary junk, but just ocasionally I give in and stuff a doughnut in my face or eat a bar of chocolate. The main thing is not to give in to catastrophic thinking. Don't use this as an excuse to give in. Instead, forgive yourself and move on. But obviously don't do it too often.

@itsnnothere

Hello Michael I've lurked around at the edges and have read most of your books but haven't committed myself to any of your weight loss plans for any length of time.

I'm wondering if the fast 800 will suit, me as I'm not diabetic although I do seem to be quite sensitive to sugar - it can affect my sleep and I tend to get hyper or energy slumps. I'm 67, 5ft 7 and 13 stone and am healthy apart from Ibs and reflux - I more or less follow the cleverguts approach and this has helped my Ibs etc enormously

I've a tendency to stick to diets for about a month then react against them and rebound. The upshot is that I'm still overweight. I need a long term plan that I can make part of my life. I worry that my mum has Alzheimer's even though all the evidence I've seen says it's not hereditary

I am delighted that the clever gut book helped you sort out your IBS. You are right to be concerned that being overweight increases your risk of dementia, particularly if your mother has it. There is a big study going on in the US right now showing that the 5:2 approach seems to be very beneficial in people who are at risk of dementia. I will be able to tell you more when it is published later in the summer. But keeping your blood pressure, your blood sugar levels, and your weight down will all help prevent dementia. There is a section in The Fast 800 specifically about this.

@Shoobydooby09

Hi I am just reading your latest book and very new to fasting 5:2, my concern regarding following your plan is following the meals. I've had a brief read through of the recipes in the book and not convinced I will like a lot of them so my choices could be limited. Do you have any plans to create anymore recipes, or where can I find some more ideas? Thanks.

If you want more recipes, then I recommend you visit the Fast800.com website of the bloodsugardiet.com website where there are lots of recipes available. We do encourage people to share their experiences and share their recipes, and people have been very generous.

I had great success with the 8 Week BSD - lost approx 4 stone within a year (doing the Mediterranean follow-on diet), felt better than I had in ages. Enjoyed the food too - didn't feel especially deprived which surprised me. HOWEVER, slowly, slowly, I started eating more carbs and doing less exercise and now I am ashamed to say that I have put it all back on, and a bit more besides! I could kick myself. Since the new year, I have got back on it and I have no doubt I can lose it all again...
My question is, do you have any tips for me going forward when I've got back down to a good weight? How can I avoid the slippery slide back to obesity? Is there some sort of MAGIC WAND you can wave for me, please?!

Hi Michael,

I've found the BSD book very helpful in rethinking how I eat, though I haven't followed the diet fully yet.

My question is: I had gestational diabetes in both my pregnancies and so am at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The thing is, my BMI is normal - 21. Would following the BSD help me avoid a type 2 diagnosis and if not, do you have any suggestions as to what I should do?

Thanks

@LonelyGir1

I’m lazy. Between working 70 hours a week and moving house my energy levels are pretty low. Are there any brands of pre-made shakes that you’re not opposed to for the plan?

Ps, thank you for the great work you do and the information you share

I used to be quite sceptical about meal replacement shakes but the evidence is actually pretty strong that they can be useful. The problem with the cheaper brands is that they are very high in sugar and often artificial additives. We have produced a shake which you might like to try which is low in carbs, high in fibre and which has all the essential nutrients. It is available at TheFast800.com let me know what you think.

@Smotheroffive

Living diet, daily life is my query.

Surely its about sticking to basic rules every day, not 'dieting'?

I would like to know what proportion factors outside of food intake, contribute to weight gain or lack of.

I say this because we had a thread on MN recently where many talked if having a fast metabolism, etc.

So, some have a much harder fight than others and there are more factors outside our control than we might have thought, as there was recently a documentary about the lies of diet and exercise on channel 5.

There are some people who have a slow metabolism but to be honest, they are quite rare. Around 50% of obesity or being overweight is down to your personal genetics, but it is often about where you put the fat and how hungry you get. I know that when I put on weight I put it around my gut and around my neck. My father was hugely overweight most of his life and died of complications of type 2 diabetes. That's why I am taking care to make sure I don't follow the same route. Activity and exercise also play an important role, mainly by improving mood rather than by burning calories, as you would have to run a marathon to burn a pound of fat. Other reasons why people overeat include poor sleep, stress and other compulsions. In the Fast 800, I include sections on how to improve these as I think they are vital.

@Gramgram

Firstly thank you, I've reversed my type 2 diabetes by following lots of your recipes and advice. I've had 3 normal blood tests as a result and my doctor is beginning to believe it is possible to reverse it. However I do think that the NHS should give the correct advice about carbs and sugar, more people would reverse it if they were.

My question is - There are some brands of cereal creeping into the supermarket shelves which state they are low sugar. Do you recommend any of them?

What you need to look out for with cereals is that they really are low sugar but also they should be rich in fibre. The best is homemade muesli, done with proper gritty oats. I am also a fan of porridge with full fat milk and nuts.

@greenelephantscarf

interesting news today about the danger of low carb diets with regards to lack of fibre.

what's your view on the trend of very low carb diets?

So the advantage of very low carb diets like Atkins or the Keto diet is that they are effective for weight loss. The problem is that they are often difficult to stick to and unless you are careful they tend to be rather low in fibre. In the Fast 800 book I cite a big study where they compare people doing low fat, low carb or a Mediterranean style diet -the diet I advocate. After two years it was the Atkins group who were doing best. But at six years they had put back on nearly all the weight. The clear winners were the med dieters. That said some people do well on low carb, others not so much. Experiment.

Hello Michael.
I'm very happy with the new book and the fact that you keep up to date with the latest research. However, it does say on page 136
'If, instead, you would like to replace some of your meals with shakes then do visit our website thefast800.com, where I suggest a number of different brands which are more suited to a low-carb Mediterranean style of eating.'
I couldn't find this information and emailed the website twice but didn't really get an answer to my question. I've read the article about shakes and have signed up for the newsletter for the alert when your version is available. I'm looking forward to that but in the meantime - what do you recommend? Many thanks for all your fantastic work.

@OstrichRunning

Hi Michael,

I've found the BSD book very helpful in rethinking how I eat, though I haven't followed the diet fully yet.

My question is: I had gestational diabetes in both my pregnancies and so am at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The thing is, my BMI is normal - 21. Would following the BSD help me avoid a type 2 diagnosis and if not, do you have any suggestions as to what I should do?

Thanks

What I would recommend is that you don't attempt weight loss but you do switch to the sort of Mediterranean diet I recommend in the book. That is one which is rich in oily fish, olive oil, wholegrains, legumes, vegetables, and with the occasional glass of red wine and dark chocolate. The evidence is strong that compared to a low fat diet, going on a Mediterranean diet will significantly reduce your risk of becoming a type 2 diabetic. It will also cut your risk of breast cancer significantly.

@bellabelly

I had great success with the 8 Week BSD - lost approx 4 stone within a year (doing the Mediterranean follow-on diet), felt better than I had in ages. Enjoyed the food too - didn't feel especially deprived which surprised me. HOWEVER, slowly, slowly, I started eating more carbs and doing less exercise and now I am ashamed to say that I have put it all back on, and a bit more besides! I could kick myself. Since the new year, I have got back on it and I have no doubt I can lose it all again... My question is, do you have any tips for me going forward when I've got back down to a good weight? How can I avoid the slippery slide back to obesity? Is there some sort of MAGIC WAND you can wave for me, please?!

One of the things you must do is commit yourself to sticking to a healthy med-style diet. You can still have the occasional treat - but in smaller amounts. You should weigh yourself almost everyday and if you start to see the scales go up. Act immediately. Professor Susan Jebb of Oxford University says that is the critical thing. Act immediately. Remember why you are doing it and put those goals on your fridge door. If you have family, recruit them to help you. The more help the better.

Diagnosed with pre-diabetes last January, and a year on after following the principles of your diet (not the strict 500 or 800 cals) i have lost 16kg and went back to normal bloods...

My question is:

Is it normal that after one bad day, it's like the floodgates open and I just want to binge on piles of toast and carbs? how can I prevent this?

Hi Michael

I don't follow your BSD or diet specifically but I do try to "eat sensibly" i.e. no refined sugar or carbs, lean protein, as much veg as I can, sensible portions, regulatr exercise.

I find I am losing weight and feel good this way. Would there be additional benefits to fasting given I am not pre diabetic or hugely overweight?

Also periodically I let myself have a "sugar day", like once a month or so as I find it helps me find the willpower to totally stay away from it the other 29 days of the month! How bad is this?

@OhMrTumnus

I am also trying out the fast 800 - this is the first diet I have tried. It seems good and I'm finding it surprisingly easy to maintain, given the extra calories consumed over Christmas. I haven't purchased your book yet but would be interested to know how the 800 is spread throughout the day and how much difference it makes to what you eat as part of the 800 calories I.e, I have eaten a mackerel and spinach salad for lunch but added a teaspoon of low fat coleslaw to add another texture and taste - are things like that ok?

Separately was the decision to publish in the Daily Mail linked to the demographic of the readership, given how much gammon they eat?
Many thanks.

As well as reducing your calories, I do recommend you try eating within ten-twelve hour window. So if you finish eating at 8pm, don't start again until 8am. This will help make the diet more effective, and also more doable. It gives a certain discipline to the say. Ideally you would eat 2 meals and a small snack but in the end it is very much down to you. In the fast 800 we offer menus which enable you to do both.

That sounds great, thank you. Not sure if this counts as q follow up but v interested in the kidney bean & chocolate cake

@TinyTear

Diagnosed with pre-diabetes last January, and a year on after following the principles of your diet (not the strict 500 or 800 cals) i have lost 16kg and went back to normal bloods...

My question is:

Is it normal that after one bad day, it's like the floodgates open and I just want to binge on piles of toast and carbs? how can I prevent this?

I am sorry to hear about the mad cravings and I guess what you should try to do is to go for a longer period without carbs and see if this helps. Some people can happily return to carbs, others can't.

Thank you very much for your reassuring answer I am going to give it a go and no

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff

Hi Michael

I don't follow your BSD or diet specifically but I do try to "eat sensibly" i.e. no refined sugar or carbs, lean protein, as much veg as I can, sensible portions, regulatr exercise.

I find I am losing weight and feel good this way. Would there be additional benefits to fasting given I am not pre diabetic or hugely overweight?

Also periodically I let myself have a "sugar day", like once a month or so as I find it helps me find the willpower to totally stay away from it the other 29 days of the month! How bad is this?

Why not give it a go and see if you enjoy it. Some people do. You seem to be doing all the right things anyway but it might be something helpful. I am a great fan of self experimenting so why not give it a go?

@OstrichRunning

That sounds great, thank you. Not sure if this counts as q follow up but v interested in the kidney bean & chocolate cake

I will email this to the Mumsnet team and they will post it here, complete with pictures.

@FLY9

Hello Michael. I'm very happy with the new book and the fact that you keep up to date with the latest research. However, it does say on page 136 'If, instead, you would like to replace some of your meals with shakes then do visit our website thefast800.com, where I suggest a number of different brands which are more suited to a low-carb Mediterranean style of eating.' I couldn't find this information and emailed the website twice but didn't really get an answer to my question. I've read the article about shakes and have signed up for the newsletter for the alert when your version is available. I'm looking forward to that but in the meantime - what do you recommend? Many thanks for all your fantastic work.

Thanks for this - will let my team know.

Thanks for all these questions, if you have more I look forward to seeing you on the tour.