Just going to get this rolling. Here is an "official" 5:2 fourm.

Not all links are equal, just some reading if your interested...

This is where I linked to the 5:2 FAQs page:

FAQ: meat consumption. From the original fast diet site. That second paragraph says it all!

Vive the Veg-olution!

Lots of buzz about at the moment around ‘demi-veg’ and part-time vegetarians (or ‘flexitarians’ – one of those clunky words that may well never take off, even if the activity does). Last week, the International Development Committee pointed to increased meat consumption as a catalyst for recent global food crises. And we all know that too much meat (particularly of the processed variety) is linked to all kinds of health issues.

One recent European study found that the biggest consumers of processed meat increased their risk of death from heart disease by 72% and cancer by 11%. The World Cancer Research Fund advises limiting intake of red meat because of its links to bowel cancer. By contrast, a six-year study published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association and reported in the London Evening Standard found that ‘the mortality rate among vegetarians was 12 per cent lower than in omnivores, while demi-veggies had an 8 per cent lower death rate than meat eaters’.

This really is food for thought – and it fits in neatly with The Fast Diet mantra of ‘mostly Plants and Protein’. Filling your plate with veg at the expense of meat, even for two days a week, could have a significant effect on your health, your waistline, your pocket and – yes – the planet. As Einstein once said, ‘Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.’

Perhaps full-time vegetarianism is too seismic a shift for some of us, but we could all do with moving towards more plant Proteins, legumes, herbs, veggies. And, really, there’s no sacrifice. A veg-based meal relies on spicing, texture, colour, crunch – and once you’re in the zone, it’s not so hard to come up with great meatless meals (there are tons of ideas in The Fast Diet Recipe Book of course). I had lunch at Ottolenghi in Notting Hill a fortnight ago: bliss on a plate, and no meat, not a sausage. As the Standard says, maybe it’s time to join the vegolution?

how many meals on a fast day? and other questions.

http://feedfastfeast...t-by-the-horns/

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http://www.52fastdie...ting-t7857.html

a little 5:2 research-what is the dif between slow and fast losers on 5:2

If you have the time, read it, 12 page article on fasting, fun, fact filled and a little heady....inspirational, confirms the real reason we are all doing it, longevity and health.

http://www.scribd.co...ur-Way-to-Vigor

Have not read yet (will tonight), but by same author, on the fast diet...

http://www.scribd.co...n-the-Fast-Diet

This was posted else ware, but I thought it would be good to have it in our "bag of tricks" here as well...

http://www.obesityhe...an-fail-part-2/

Edited December 16, 201312 yr by feedyoureye

Two non consecutive days a week, eat only 500-550 cals. Many choose mon and ths, but whatever works for you. Eat clean. Get in at least 50 gms of protein those days. The longer between your last regular meal and your eating on fast day the better. The longer between your last fast meal and your first non fast meal the better. 12-16 hours is good. Read the links here, watch the documentary posted. Thats where they are here for. The explain everything pretty well.

Two non consecutive days a week, eat only 500-550 cals. Many choose mon and ths, but whatever works for you. Eat clean. Get in at least 50 gms of Protein those days. The longer between your last regular meal and your eating on fast day the better. The longer between your last fast meal and your first non fast meal the better. 12-16 hours is good. Read the links here, watch the documentary posted. Thats where they are here for. The explain everything pretty well.

Just one more quick question, sorry, LOL--can you clarify what "eat clean" means in the context of the 5:2 plan? Should I take it to mean that you eat real foods as opposed to things that are processed? Would that eliminate things like Protein shakes and Protein Bars? Thanks for your help!

I use Protein shakes to try and get my protein in with low calories (Im a vegetarian), but eat your veggies, drink your Water, try to eat high nutrition foods, salads, Soups, avoid junk food, booze, refined sugar, extra salt... eat some raw if you can...Its just two days a week, so use them to really be good to yourself. You can spread the cals over the day, or save them for one bigger meal in the PM. I have a 100 cal Protein Drink in the AM, then eat the rest at dinner. The idea is to find a strategy that you can keep up... if its too out of the norm for you, then you won't stick with it. You want to be on this plan more or less for the long haul. Its not a weight loss diet, its a longevity program for overall health.

There used to be a thread for veterans who were using the 5/2 method and helping people who where just starting it and offering advice and support. It abruptly stops in January 2014. Is there another forum where it picks up? Can't find the continuing discussion. Thanks if anyone can point me in the right direction.

Would some mind posting their meal plans for the 500 cal days? I am 1 year out right now and I have noticed I am grazing... I haven't gained any weight but I don't won't to either and I need to stop this grazing!!! thanks

Also would anyone be interested in a 5:2 buddy?

There used to be a thread for veterans who were using the 5/2 method and helping people who where just starting it and offering advice and support. It abruptly stops in January 2014. Is there another forum where it picks up? Can't find the continuing discussion. Thanks if anyone can point me in the right direction.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/313875-52/?hl=%2Bfasting#entry3542432

here is one that discusses 5:2

Would some mind posting their meal plans for the 500 cal days? I am 1 year out right now and I have noticed I am grazing... I haven't gained any weight but I don't won't to either and I need to stop this grazing!!! thanks

On a given "2" day, I will have a Protein shake (EAS 100 calorie) around 10-11 sometimes or a boiled egg, same timeframe, or 6 slices turkey (50 calories). Then around 2, I might have mini babybel cheese or an apple. I try to maintain the bulk of my calories for my dinner. Which can be chicken stirfry, or a couple of turkey franks and a packet of 100 calorie guacamole eaten with sliced cucumbers or sliced red peppers. Or homemade vegetable Soup. A snack of some sort later. I try not to eat past 7pm.

The ideal is to have at LEAST a 12 hour window of fasting, better is 16. So if you eat the night before at 7pm, wait until 10 or so to eat anything on your fast day, you have a longer "fasting" window which helps speed loss.

You will find it pretty easy to conserve and eat a LOT if you use many veggies and chicken or thin sliced turkey etc. Hope that helps.

I have asked my nutritionist several times to weigh in on the 5-2 diet. She is not familiar with it but has been very reluctant to learn more. Has anyone out there asked their nutritionist about it? What do nutritionists say? The most mine would say is that she thought it would be OK for a jump start of weight loss but not for any kind of sustained diet plan. I have yet to try the 5-2 but want to keep it in mind as my weight loss has slowed to the crawl. I am inspired by the numerous success stories I have read about the 5-2 reboot for dropping pounds post-long-stall.

5:2 has lots written on it. It wasn't originally a weight loss thing at all but rather a technique to extend life

I would not do it during weight loss phase. I really think there are other tools more suitable for that first year or two post op.

I have done it on and off since last summer and it works great. I have not discussed with a NUT as this falls outside of their area frankly. Google the studies on it for info.

Hi can I drink Syntrax Nectar during the no food time ? I can't drink water without it. It doesn't have any carbs or fat but 1/2 a scoop has 50 calorie and it has 11.5grams protein.

Hi can I drink Syntrax Nectar during the no food time ? I can't drink water without it. It doesn't have any carbs or fat but 1/2 a scoop has 50 calorie and it has 11.5grams protein.

Yes, just count it towards your daily calories. I use a 100 cal protein drink in the AM on fast day.

Yes, just count it towards your daily calories. I use a 100 cal protein drink in the AM on fast day.

So I can drink it through the fast period ?

Yes, just count it all. If you read the book, one of the authors spread her calories out through the day, the other just ate dinner. They both lost some weight. I think if this does not work for you, then tightening up the lingth of the "fasting window" might do the trick. I found it worked fine for me though.

Truth is that many of us worked 5:2 in a way that is "workable" for us. I don't track or count calories, but on my "fast" days I did try to have long fasting intervals - meaning stop eating 7pm the night before and don't eat till around noon or 1 the "fast day".

I am not sure that the longer fasting interval made a difference, but it worked for me and helped me keep overall calories/carbs down. If you feel really uncomfortable - don't do it - have the Protein drink!

I think reading up on it and sorta getting the principles or idea of 5:2 and then making it work for your life is the key.