What rules to follow for 5:2 & 16:8 intermittent fasting?

5:2 - on 2 non consecutive days eat 500/800 cals (I think, for women/men) then maintenance cals on other days.

16:8 - eat your calorie goal in an 8 hour window (for whatever you physique goals are - weight loss, maintenance or gain)

Two very different concepts.
5:2 is a weight loss plan only, 16:8 can be used to lose, maintain or gain weight and can be used indefinitely.

For 5:2 "rules" see https://thefastdiet.co.uk/
But be aware that not everyone calorie counts on the 5 normal eating days. If you are calorie counting then those 5 days should be at maintenance calories.

For 16:8 just eat at your chosen calorie level (if calorie counting) within your chosen 8hr eating window and don't eat outside that window. Just a simple time restriction.

sijomial wrote: »

livingleanlivingclean wrote: »

5:2 - on 2 non consecutive days eat 500/800 cals (I think, for women/men) then maintenance cals on other days.

16:8 - eat your calorie goal in an 8 hour window (for whatever you physique goals are - weight loss, maintenance or gain)

@livingleanlivingclean
Later iterations of the plandropped the non-consecutive fasting day requirements, some people simply preferred to do them back to back. I didn't, I was ready to eat after a fast day!.

It was 500 for women, 600 for men. (Roughly a quarter of the mythical average male / female TDEE.

Thanks for clarifying.... I haven't really read about it or looked in to it since the first time I heard about it!