The 5:2 diet is based on a principle known as intermittent fasting. This is where you eat normally at certain times and then fast during other times. There are different versions, but the 5:2 diet involves eating a normal, healthy diet for five days every week and 'fasting' on the remaining two days.
The 5:2 diet plan aims for a weight loss of 1lb a week for women, and for men you could expect to lose slightly more. The NHS recommend a loss of 1-2lbs a week for healthy and safe weight loss, this amount is also more sustainable.
The 5:2 diet might be a good option for healthy, well nourished people looking to lose weight but it's not recommended for everyone, says Dr.
The 5:2 diet is another form of intermittent fasting. It involves choosing two days each week where only 2000 to 3000 kilojoules are consumed. The other 5 days of the week are spent eating normally. The Eat-Stop-Eat method of fasting involves fasting for a full 24 hours one or two days per week.
For example, if you're trying to keep your fasting day to 500 calories, you could eat 200 calories at breakfast, 100 calories at lunch, and another 200 calories at dinner. You could also try two meals instead of three, eating 250 calories at breakfast or lunch and then 250 calories at dinner.
The 5:2 diet is based on a principle known as intermittent fasting. This is where you eat normally at certain times and then fast during other times. There are different versions, but the 5:2 diet involves eating a normal, healthy diet for five days every week and 'fasting' on the remaining two days.
As a result, you tend to overeat the minute you stop and this proves to be counterproductive. So you need a diet that is sustainable yet effective. One such diet is the 5:2 intermittent fasting diet. This is a great diet to lose belly fat.
The New 5:2 approach involves restricting calories to 800 on fasting days, then eating a healthy lower carb, Mediterranean-style diet for the rest of the week. The beauty of intermittent fasting means that as your insulin sensitivity returns, you will feel fuller for longer on smaller portions.
Research suggests that alternate-day fasting is about as effective as a typical low-calorie diet for weight loss. Fasting also affects metabolic processes in the body that may work to decrease inflammation, as well as improve blood sugar regulation and physical stress response.
~ 5:2 Recipes for Breakfast ~ Eggs can be a good choice for breakfast on your fasting day, as they are high in protein and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Fruit, yoghurt, high fibre cereals and porridge - all work well for breakfast on fast days too.
As with food, your drinks aren't that restricted on the 5:2 diet plan. The diet supports drinking black tea and coffee, herbal teas and diet drinks.
Warm water with lemon in the morning is one of the most used and very effective remedies to get rid of belly fat. All you need is warm water, a few drops of lemon, and if you would like, you can add a dash of salt. You even add a teaspoon of honey.
Keep rest of intake unsaturated fat (eg olive oil, nuts, avocados)." 30% starchy foods "Starch - so, potatoes, bread, rice, pasta - should make up a third of every meal we eat as it's our main energy source. Keep it wholegrain, and leave the skins on potatoes."
However, Brooking says that the 5:2 diet is safe for otherwise healthy people to try. It's def not considered safe for children (since they need fuel for their growing bodies) or pregnant women, who also need the calories, she says.
How does the 5:2 diet work? Yes, in theory, you can still eat pizza and chocolate so as long as you're willing to enter starvation mode for two days in the week.
Weigh yourself first thing in the morning after your fast days. Your body will be adjusting to the diet by now. You will notice the fast days will be a little easier and your clothes looser. Try to start the week with a fast day again.
Compared with the 5:2, the 16:8 is easier to stick to – if you can ward off your morning hunger and not eat until 10am or lunchtime each day, all you then need to do is eat two to three well balanced meals within an eight hour period.
16:8 is a better way of doing Intermittent Fasting than 5:2. Remember, you are not defined by what you weigh. Research to find a healthy weight for you. The weight management strategies you choose must also be healthy (physically and mentally) for your unique personal context.
Loved by celebrities including Beyonce and Liv Tyler, the 5:2 diet allows followers to eat normally for five days and then fast on 500 calories for two days. And if you're hoping to be beach body-ready as soon as possible, the simple eating plan promises results in just a matter of weeks – without damaging your health.