Fast today, eat tomorrow

24 Feb 2014

The latest fad on the dieting scene seems to be the 5:2 diet – eat normally for five days, fast for two. Sounds reasonable, right?

The theory behind the 5:2 diet is intermittent fasting. This means reducing the amount you eat for short periods of time. Eat normally for five days and lower your calorie intake drastically for two.

How

Enjoy five days of eating normally with no regard to calorie counting. Eat whatever you want, whenever you want, including sweet treats if you wish.

On the two days that you decide are your ‘fast’ days, restrict your eating to one quarter of your recommended calorie intake.

This equates to 500 calories for women and 600 for men.

The theory behind this is that you’re only limiting yourself for two days out of the seven, so you’re more likely to stick to it.

Plus, you’ll usually find that on the ‘normal’ days, you tend to eat less as your body begins to crave less food.

Those behind the fast diet recommend that you don’t fast two days in a row. It is absolutely a matter of personal choice but it’s also important to give your body some respite from calorie counting.

On fast days, it’s also a matter of personal choice when it comes to how you spread out your calories. You can either have one or two meals larger-sized meals or you can spread your calories throughout the day.

Can anyone fast?

There are certain people for whom intermittent fasting is more beneficial, and some who are definitely not recommended to take part.

While it can be beneficial for overweight and obese people, and those in the healthy weight range, if you want to start this kind of regime, it’s definitely best to talk to your doctor.

If you’re underweight, pregnant, type 1 diabetic or recovering from surgery, it’s not recommended that you try the fast diet. Also, if you begin to feel ill or more lethargic than normal, always consult your GP.

Proceed with caution

Side effects are rarely written about when it comes to the 5:2 diet. But it can be particularly harmful for women. There have been some people who have experienced uncontrollable headaches, insomnia, bad moods, joint aches, irritability and cramping.

Cutting back calories, even for one day, can really throw your body around.

It’s also really important to be extra rigid with your water intake when it comes to fast days. You’d be surprised how much liquid you absorb through your food. Eliminate this and you have to make up for it with extra glasses of water or black tea.

The most important thing to do when trying an eating plan like the 5:2 is to listen to your body. If you start to experience side effects and they begin to impact on your overall quality of life, it may not be worth continuing.