Does any one else on Discuss Cooking practice intermittent fasting?

[lulu]

I used to intermittently fast, but when I got I'll it was driven into me how unhealthy this was. Now it's all the rage my doctors have accepted I am safe to do this again.

The most popular form is the two days a week or every other day. I find every other day messes with socialising at weekends, but two, maybe three week days suit me well.

As well as starting to lose stubborn weight, I just 'feel better' and eat less on my 'feast days' and notably......I am enjoying food more. I think because you don't eat because its time too you just savour things more. Actually the fast days people eat five or six hundred calories on the most popular forms of the diet and its certainly possible to have a delicious five hundred calorie meal, or a couple of light meals.

Anyone else here?

 

[CraigC]

I only fast at the docs request for blood work.

 

[taxlady]

I only fast at the docs request for blood work.

Same here.

 

[GotGarlic]

I only fast at the docs request for blood work.

Same here. I don't do fads that are "all the rage." I make mostly healthful meals for us and eat junk food and sweets as little as possible.

 

[FrankZ]

I only fast between meals.

 

[lulu]

Same here. I don't do fads that are "all the rage." I make mostly healthful meals for us and eat junk food and sweets as little as possible.

To be fair, intermittent fasting research has been going on for decades. (With benefits supposedly including reduced risk of type two diabetes, types of dementia and longer life expectancy)

My comment about its current fashion were tongue in cheek, as so much literature is being produced now, and people who have said its bad are now saying its ok....much like most food guidance...research changes things...eggs were bad now they are good again, some eat low carb etc etc.

For me, short term fasting works comfortably and works well alongside an interest in good food and cooking.

 

[GotGarlic]

lulu, you asked if anyone here does that and I answered your question. My feeling is that it's not a natural way to eat, so I don't do it. I get low blood sugar and feel like crap if I miss a single meal. If you like it, go for it

 

[Addie]

The last time I fasted my doctor felt that I might be becoming anorexic. So I try to eat a little something each day. I have very poor eating habits. I don't choose not to eat. I just can't eat a lot of foods. And as much as I enjoy cooking and baking, it is always for others. Not myself.

 

[lulu]

The last time I fasted my doctor felt that I might be becoming anorexic. So I try to eat a little something each day. I have very poor eating habits. I don't choose not to eat. I just can't eat a lot of foods. And as much as I enjoy cooking and baking, it is always for others. Not myself.

Certainly most of the advice now is to eat something ( five hundred calories for a woman...) every day, and that to 'get' the beneficial impacts one should eat normally on other days, Anorexia is not to be trifled with, certainly, nor malnutrition. If its a risk for anyone it's certainly a case of risk outweighing any benefit!

 

[Cerise]

I do not. Growing up, on certain religious holidays, my mother forbad me to fast, as I would got weak & dizzy. As an adult, I sometimes miss meals, & my body goes into starvation mode, or I lose my appetite altogether. If it works for you, then go for it.

 

[chopper]

I don't fast, because my body doesn't like it, and I will faint if my sugar levels go too low. I do think however, everyone needs to know their body and needs to do what works best for them. If that is what works for you for losing weight, I totally understand. I have tried so many ways to get weight off and I think I have found what works for me for now anyway.

 

[MrsLMB]

I only fast between meals.

LOL Ditto !!

I don't fast, because my body doesn't like it, and I will faint if my sugar levels go too low. I do think however, everyone needs to know their body and needs to do what works best for them. If that is what works for you for losing weight, I totally understand. I have tried so many ways to get weight off and I think I have found what works for me for now anyway.

I have the same problem and must say that I am in complete agreement with what chopper has said.

Others have stated eating smart is the best and they are right. No need to fast if you are eating right - unless a Dr orders it for a test.

If you are eating right you will appreciate food and with controlled portions you will find your "need" to overeat will dissipate.

 

[Dawgluver]

I fast unintentionally, when I forget to eat, get too busy, or am simply not hungry. I agree with the rest here, no diet is a magic bullet.

 

[Snip 13]

I used to do a fruit cleanse for 2 days at the end of each month just because it made me feel better and it cleaned all the junk out of my system.
I was eating fruit so I it's not a fast but I get what you are saying. It does make you feel " cleaner and fresher"

I wouldn't go as far as not eating at all and I think that doing that for 3 days a week would be a bit extreme.
I would suggest rather eating raw fruit and veggies for a few days when you feel your body needs it.

 

[Gravy Queen]

I'm doing it Lulu, and feel fantastic on it. I have lost weight and have more energy. I got Dr Michael Mosleys book The Fast Diet and read it through, the health benefits are impressive. He also did a Horizon programme about it and he did the diet himself. He now maintains on 6:1. Which is what I intend to do.

Your body most certainly can take it. We eat far too much in general which is why there is such an obesity problem.

I fast for two days a week, although its not strictly a fast, its 500 calories for a woman as you have said. I eat high protein foods on those days, nothing that will give me a sugar high or a slump. I drink lots of water and herbal teas. I exercise as normal.

I have not experienced any problems, I have more energy, have lost weight and I sleep well too.

Dr Michael Mosley can explain it far better than I can so do check it out online, but many people are doing this primarily for the health benefits as well as weight loss, but then, weight loss is a health benefit isnt it?

 

[GotGarlic]

Dr Michael Mosley can explain it far better than I can so do check it out online, but many people are doing this primarily for the health benefits as well as weight loss, but then, weight loss is a health benefit isnt it?

Only if you're overweight

 

[Gravy Queen]

Of course

 

[Oldvine]

Fasting is all the rage? I don't follow dieting trends, fads or rages. I lost a sister to a purging disorder. At 78 pounds, 5'7" tall, her heart simple stopped beating.

 

[Snip 13]

I'm doing it Lulu, and feel fantastic on it. I have lost weight and have more energy. I got Dr Michael Mosleys book The Fast Diet and read it through, the health benefits are impressive. He also did a Horizon programme about it and he did the diet himself. He now maintains on 6:1. Which is what I intend to do.

Your body most certainly can take it. We eat far too much in general which is why there is such an obesity problem.

I fast for two days a week, although its not strictly a fast, its 500 calories for a woman as you have said. I eat high protein foods on those days, nothing that will give me a sugar high or a slump. I drink lots of water and herbal teas. I exercise as normal.

I have not experienced any problems, I have more energy, have lost weight and I sleep well too.

Dr Michael Mosley can explain it far better than I can so do check it out online, but many people are doing this primarily for the health benefits as well as weight loss, but then, weight loss is a health benefit isnt it?

Could you give an example of your daily menu on your fast?

 

[lulu]

Could you give an example of your daily menu on your fast?

It's been so long since i have been here I cannot remember the site protocol on links to recipes and articles,

I am sure so e one will correct me if this is not allowed, but this is a nice example. I have only so far made the courgettes (zucchini) recipe from this list but the dipping sole is high on my wish list.

5:2 diet: healthy recipes 250 calories or less - Telegraph

One of the benefits of the popularity of this ATM is the wonderful meals being published regularly, but its not hard to work out the calorie content and nutritional value of a meal or better, daily menu, using one of the apps available now. I tend to plan my menus very roughly over a week to a fortnight (days might get juggled and surprises do pop up, last minute invites etc) which I find helpful both for food management but also for budgeting/home economics.

Tbh, my main interest with my health condition is the metabolic improvements and also, with a strong family history of Alzheimer's (grandmother, then aunt with very early onset and father showing signs) the potential to reduce risk of this or at least postpone it is also a huge motivator.