5:2 - low cal days (cals or time without food)

toshie333
toshie333 Posts: 295 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi
Just a query really?
On "fast" days at under 500 calories-I have no problem eating under 500 calories by using them wisely however my
Question is do you get better results and better fat loss if you wait as long as possible to eat eg
Skip breaky x lunch if poss?
I've seen posts re insulin levels etc. if the total days calories are the same regardless, does anyone have clarification on if the longer you can go without food the better the loss?
Thank you

Replies

  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    It's about average trends. As long as you're not generally under eating it's fine, but if you're under eating on a consistent basis by a LARGE margin there are negative health benefits.

    It doesn't matter if you eat most of your calories when... this has been proven by intermittent fasting... if you're fasting for more than 3 days there are really no intrinsic benefits. If you're eating low calorie on "fasting" days ... don't BS yourself. You're not fasting. As long as you realize this and don't under eat (by a large margin) as far as your weekly totals.. then it's fine.
  • toshie333
    toshie333 Posts: 295 Member
    I see. I've read posts on people saying they have better results when they go all
    Day without eating until tea time as insulin stays low and this promotes the body using fat stores so you lose weight better/
    Quicker??
    Anyone any thoughts on this?
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    Honestly, I answered your question. If you expect to brush off people who give you advice OR don't look into it yourself then have fun forever looking for the "next best thing."
  • atb0821
    atb0821 Posts: 458 Member
    I do 5:2 and don't eat until around 1:00 in the afternoon. If I eat breakfast, my hunger gets all activated or something and I'm starving all day. I'm not sure if the timing of your 500 calories makes a difference as far as weight loss, but waiting makes fasting much easier for me personally. Hope that helps.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Warchortle, you didnt really answer the question in the context of 5:2ing.

    Going as long as possible before eating is suggested to have the best health results, ie not just the weight loss.

    Spread your 500 calories whatever way you like for just the weight loss.

    That's an over-simplificaiton, but that's the main gist.

    Another factor is that people find it EASIER to go for longer periods - eating something seems to wake up the hunger signals. Plus having one 400-500 meal is much simpler to plan, easy to share with the rest of the family etc.

    Toshie, you'll get a better response to questions on 5:2 posting in those specific forums, I'm going to stand back now and watch while members of MFP launch into their usual criticisms.
  • toshie333
    toshie333 Posts: 295 Member
    Thank you melaniecheeks- that was an informative answer to my question. Thank you for your reply and il join you in
    Awaiting abuse :-) hehe

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