Why eat on fast days?

mfp2014mfp

Hi all,

Im new to the group and to fasting. I was just curious as to why we eat on fast days at all, I couldnt seem to get an answer from Google so I thought I'd try here. I decided to pursue this option as much as for the health benefits as for the weightloss and was wondering if the health benefits are greater if you just abstain all day rather than eat the 500.

Thanks in advance for any help, looking forward to getting to know people here

jknight001

I believe we eat a small amount to keep our metabolism going and not send our body into "starvation mode". Here is a link to a good FAQ on the program.

http://thefastdiet.co.uk/michael-answers-frequently-asked-questions

And welcome to the group! Glad you joined us.

flumi_f

You don't have to mfp2014. There are people, that prefer a 0cal fast. I like my 500cals, so I eat them ;-) It makes it easier for me.

TeaBea

flumi_f wrote: »

You don't have to mfp2014. There are people, that prefer a 0cal fast. I like my 500cals, so I eat them ;-) It makes it easier for me.

This^

I'd never make it without 500 calories....but that's me. I'm trying to lose at a moderate pace so I do 5:2 others may want faster weight loss so they do 4:3

It's all about where you are at right now.

mfp2014mfp

Awesome thanks all for taking the time to reply, I will eat my 500 cals, I'm in no rush to lose the weight.

orlcam

I've done it both ways...the choice is really yours. Here's Mosley's take on it: The myth of “starvation mode”. The short of it is that after 3 days of fasting the volunteers' Basal Metabolic Rates (BMR) had actually risen by an average of 14%. The body doesn't start locking things down until somewhere past the 84 hour mark (3.5 days of fasting on nothing but water).

mfp2014mfp

Thanks again, I wasn't really concerned about starvation mode, what I was wondering was if I fast from say 8pm then eat my 500 cals the next day, does that interrupt the healing process that they are theorizing is occurring during the fast? I did a bit more searching myself and from the studies done on animals it seems inconsequential to the process. Thanks again to everyone for your responses

Neonbeige

I was asking myself the same. I realized that I was fine without eating the whole day, but when dinner time came and I knew I would get to eat I suddenly got hungry and impatient.

Foamroller

We're all different. Some people prefer to have breakfast or eat small meals spread across the FD. I've experimented with different variations on FD. For me it works best with a SMALL lunch, like 100-150 kcal and save the bulk of my kcal for dinner. Once I start eating, the belly wants more. If I'm able to brush away the hunger feeling, it most often passes after a bit. Indulging in food reveries is counterproductive on FD, I find.

I also can't have dinner too early. If I eat dinner at 4-5, I get peckish later for sure. If I can delay dinner until 7-8, I'm usually able to contain myself.

Remind yourself, there's always the option to have that choco or pizza or whatever TOMORROW:)

Since I'm doing 16:8 on all days as well, regulating hunger has become much easier the whole week, not only on FD. But skipping breakfast might not suit everyone.

GL, mfp2014:)

jknight001

And I am a breakfast lover so for me I split my day equally 250 for breakfast,, 250 for dinner. So like @Foamroller said we are all different. The cool thing about 5:2 is that you can tailor it to your who you are.

Karen_DisneyFan

I almost didn't eat at all yesterday. I have my huge mug of tea with 2 tsp of sugar in the morning (30 cal) and then usually an apple for lunch. I'm trying to get over a cold and just didn't feel like eating my apple. I had another mug of tea and was satisfied until around 6:30pm! Then decided to have some eggs & couple ounces of ham... ended up 261 calories for the whole day and no solid food for over 24 hours!
Of course the scale didn't budge this morning, but that's normal for me after a fast day. It should be lower tomorrow.

gle8442

I actually find it a bit easier hunger-wise if I don't eat at all on fast days, but when that happens everyone at work asks, "where were you at lunch/ why aren't you eating?" and my family complains when I don't eat dinner with them. But with the 500 calories I can have a big salad or meals that are mostly veggies and still be social. So it makes dieting a lot easier to fit in with my life that way!