Hi, I’m one week in and have lost 6lbs too, so also encouraged. Now the novelty has worn off I have to be vigilant about nibbling the extra tomato or two – I’ve been really surprised how the calories can add up even with healthy veg! Some really good recipies in the book which are helping motivate planning food ahead – another achilles heel…

Started yesterday. I bought a little pot of pomegranate seeds so I could use some for lunch and some for the lamb dinner. I hadn’t realised there were so many calories in them! I used a tablespoonful for each recipe.
My confusion is to do with the dinner: it says the aubergine with lamb serves 2, but states the calories as 490. I’m assuming that is for a single serving. Hope so, as then it will bring my total for the day to 800. Husband and I have both avoided red meat for 30 years, but I’m back eating it for this programme. So I have to save the other part of the dinner for tonight and hoping the calorie intake will be correct.
Lost 2 lbs so something must be working!

Just having a minor wobble today due to my impatient not the diet. Day 8 for me, have lost 9lb and BSG trending down but very slowly from start 9.9 to around the 6.9 to 7.3 mark. I’m recovering from surgery. My foot so totally sedentary at present. Does anyone know if the lack of exercise might be related to the BS dropping soooooo slowly for me? I’m a type 2 diabetic for the past 3 years on metformin and trajenta. Whilst I’m thrilled with the weight loss my primary goal is the bS levels.
Feedback on the diet, have realised my food habits were causing my weight issues not hunger!

Me too! Yesterday was suprisingly easy so I set off for work full of quiet confidence this confidence. I now have a raging headache and every fibre of my being is craving sugar. There are two lots of birthday cakes and some holiday biscuits in our office kitchen which makes even getting another glass of water like some sort of temptation trial. I feel telling myself it’s like when I gave up smoking and I managed that but blimely it’s hard.

It is very much a personal thing. I do 2 of Monday Wednesday and Friday. So this week I am going out with work on Wednesday so it will be Monday and Friday. Next week it is my birthday on the Friday so it is Monday and Wednesday. I find that this flexibility helps

I’ve been through caffeine withdrawal several times and thought those headaches were bad… not compared to this!

So far I’ve resisted taking any painkillers, and drinking plenty of fluids (mostly plain water), but the craving for wanting to add a tiny bit squash into the water… that’s how I know it is sugar withdrawal.

I know the headaches will subside in a day or two… but man, I wish I didn’t have to go through the process!

Hi,
I’m one week in to the fast 800 and find the results VERY encouraging
fasting glucose dropped from 8.3 to ave 4.7. Have lost 6lb in weight.

Not sure whats been happening in last 2 or 3 days as my weight has stayed exactly the same, even though I have increased my walking. (Maybe the extra 200 calories on the weekend, I should have avoided)

Bring on week 2

I think they are fine Caroline as long as you avoid the instant Ready Brek style ones. Even mentioned here https://thebloodsugardiet.com/the-low-carb-plan/. It’s low carb but no no carb – you still need some remember!

setting is one up for lunch.

serves 1 – 220 cals

I thought there were a lot of seeds from 1 pomegranate and I checked the calories on a nutrition web site. 235 cals for 1 pomegranate. myfitnesspal quotes 160

quite confused as to how much of a pomegranate should be in the recipe?

Thanks Lisa, I think you’re right that I was just making it harder. I fully committed to no sugar yesterday. I wouldn’t bother to drink unsweetened tea at all but it seems like a bad time to go through caffeine withdrawal.

I’m wondering whether I will see an improvement in blood sugars. My fasting levels are fine, also as long as I don’t have too many carbs my blood sugars are normal. My prediabetes shows up when I do a glucose tolerance test, drinking 75 grams of glucose at once. Then it shows I’m very close to a diagnosis of diabetes. Will this diet fix my glucose intolerance so I no longer have highs with a GTT or if I binge on burger rings?

Not critising the diet, it will still stop me spiralling into diabetes, just wondering if I will be able to measure the result other than weight loss.

Roast tomato soup: cut a kilogram of Roma (small egg shaped) tomatoes in half, put them cut side up on a baking tray with a carrot and a quartered onion. Sprinkle of salt, little drizzle of olive oil. Roast in oven for about 20 mins on med/high heat until soft and caramelising. Add roasted veges to a pot with 4 cups of vegetable stock or water, and a tin of puréed tomatoes (no added sugar or other ingredients!). Simmer for another 20 mins, then blend it all up in the blender or with a stick blender. About 45 calories per bowl and yummy!

Would appreciate views on eating the good old jumbo porridge oats- to eat or not to eat? I’m a fan and about to embark on 8 week diet plan – recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes- but unsure whether I can include them or not, can anyone please advise? Thanks…

Just wondering if anyone could please advise re recommended carb levels on 800 calorie diet? Understand that it is low, but how low? 20g? 40g? Thank you..

Hi All,
Wonder can someone please advise.. I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes last week and am now hoping to embark on 8 week BS diet having read the book, however there is no mention in it of the impact on high cholesterol levels and the medication taken to reduce it, which I happen to be on. Before I start on this diet can anyone advise re effects of diet on this? Thanks a mil ..

Michael, thank you for the update and saving my tea and coffee!

The blood sugar book talks about moving on to 5:2 and specifically says you can do it either way (p154). Two consecutive days, like mon tues or split through the week like mon Thursday. But to be consistent, same days each week.

My first four weeks were very patchy, I kept giving in to the celebration food that was all around me. But I still lost 3 kg (6.6 lbs) so that is something. And the next four weeks are going to be much better!

Thanks for the posts captainlynn and TracyH31, I am on day 9 and have lost 4lbs but more importantly I have a BG morning reading of 5.3. It was 8 last Monday. Not done my waist measurement yet but will do this morning just to see.
Good luck all

I am struggling to eat my 800 cals, it’s day 9 for me. Yesterday I only managed 600, I am also quite thirsty having around three litres of fluid per day. I tend during the week to have a late breakfast around 10.30 then often I’m skipping lunch. I then have a handful of nuts around 3 and supper between 6 and 7. Last Sunday I did not eat till 2 and was not hungry. My hubby who is also following the diet is constantly hungry.
Keep up the good work everyone.
Hedds

I had three or four bad food days, then renewed commitment to the diet yesterday. I’m so hungry all over again! I’d got past the hunger stage but now I have to suffer again. My own fault!

I too have not felt hungry and am surviving quite happily on around 800 calories. I never thought I would but it’s obviously the type of food we are eating. Like Hedds when I just have soup for lunch I get hungry for my evening meal. I used to snack a lot in the evening but I don’t even think about eating after my evening meal now. I do drink a lot more fluids though as I find myself more thirsty.

Well done captainlynne that’s impressive. This is the start of my second week and I’ve lost 3lbs and 2″ off of my waist which I’m really pleased with. Onwards and upwards – or perhaps that should be downwards in the case of us lifestyle changers!

There are some really awful bugs going around at the moment. In October I was sick for 3 weeks with a cold which just wouldn’t go away, and then I caught another one while I was visiting the UK at Christmas and I’m still coughing a bit now.

Make sure you are “eating a rainbow” to get all of your vitamins and minerals, and lots of hot drinks (fruit teas are a favourite of mine) while you recover.

I was pretty sick with the worst cold I’ve had in 20 years, about a month ago. Congrats on your weight loss, and I hope you feel better. Take care of yourself.

Thanks for your encouragement Debsym62. We are looking forward to doing it.

Hippo

Almond Flour – I bought some from Ocado – https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Carbzone-Low-Carb-Organic-Almond-Flour/248825011?ULP_CAMPAIGN_ID=3&gclid=CNzdyo-cxsoCFZKZGwodfpUC2w&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CKDJ04-cxsoCFdOoFgoduasHWQ

Hope this helps.

Hippo

A week ago I was 8lbs heavier and a 10 days into a horrid head cold. I’ve persevered and I’m more than happy with my weight loss. But, I feel terrible my cold just won’t go and think now I have tonsillitis and I have facial zits! Has anyone else had similar symptoms or have a just picked up a bad virus? Really fed up with this wretched cold.

So it’ll be 2 weeks exactly in the morning. I lost around a stone in the first five days, but the scales haven’t really moved since then, I’m hoping for a bit of a result tomorrow. Does anyone have any packed lunch ideas? I need something I can make in advance to take to work with me! I’ll let you know what the scales say tomorrow.

Because of health probs I have difficulty waking and really coming round ( yes, I know everyone does, ha ha!) so haven’t been having breakfast. My husband has been making me a bullet proof coffee but I think I will just have warm milk. I will count the calories, not sure if it will make a difference or if it will be ok. First day today so I will have to wait and see!

Dr. Mosley,

I was so happy to find your post on 5:2! I can definitely do 800 cals for two days a week. I don’t care how slow my weight loss is; this will be so doable!

Dr. Mosley, I live in the United States, and unfortunately, will have to wait until March to receive your book, which I have on pre-order.
Can you please tell us, do the two days of fasting have to be consecutive or any two days of the week like your original 5:2?

Thank you in advance for your answer, and I’m so happy you wrote a book about diabetes for those of us with blood sugar issues!

I would also like to know! I live here in the U.S. and Dr. Mosley’s new book won’t be available here until March! I wish I had it now! But I pre-ordered it to get the lowest shipping price.

I too am curious about the veg you mentioned.

Also, I notice that we can have 800 cals low carb two days on this version of 5:2 vs. 500 cals. I was quite happy when I read that on the website! I can definitely do two days of 800 cals and low carb the rest of the week. Does the book mention if the fasting has to be two consecutive days or any two days of the week? Thanks!

Hi , new here , had great success on 5:2 a couple of years ago ( was early adopter when the programme first aired) and then blew it over the last year or so !
so I’m back (and fat again ..poo) , but determined to lose the extra weight again , and this looks like a good way for me ,

I do have the book (but only just today so not readit yet ) but a quick question so I can start right away . I realise spuds will be out , but I see we can have some pulses and fruit which is great ( so not like Atkins then which I gave up because of dire constipation )

Can I have carrots , (i was going to make some carrot soup for lunch this week, ) and what about peas and sweetcorn in moderation ?

What fruits can we eat? (I see not dates which is a shame as I have a whole box of them left from christmas .)

Hi All, I started with the Fast 800 today. Although my last fasting glucose was 5.2, I’m a prime candidate for T2 diabetes – a lady heading into her 40’s, several stones over weight and I’m carrying a lot of abdominal fat.

I’ve been calorie counting on and off for many years, with varying degrees of success, only to lost the plot and put any weight I’ve lost back on. So I’ve been looking for something to give me a bit more motivation; and the short sharp shock of the Fast 800 seems like a fab idea – and if I can lose 10% of my weight in that time, I’m on target for being where I want to be by the time I go on holiday in May.

I’m choosing to do mainly real food, though for ease I’m having protein shake on a morning for breakfast.

I’m a real carb addict, and no doubt I’m going to be a bear for the next week or two. Fizzy drinks and caramel lattes, chocolate, bread all used to feature heavily in my diet, and I could lose weight eating them, but I think it’s probably time I cleaned up my diet once and for all!

That’s great to know Michael… I’ll happily work in enough cals for 100ml milk and my colleagues will be thankful for it, as I will be a bear without my morning cup of tea! (black and fruit tea is fin for the afternoon/evening, but in the morning it has to be a mug or two of Tetley!)

Thank you for the prompt response , can’t wait to start.

You can continue the diet on Metformin as it is incredibly unlikely to cause low blood sugar. The long term benefits of Metformin have been questioned in a recent article in the BMJ. Hopefully soon you won’t need it in any case. Good luck!

It’s not all that likely, unless you know for sure you have an intolerance to dairy. Weight loss will happen – it can’t not happen on c.800 calories a day. It’s just your body stabilising itself – it’s a shock to the system depriving it of calories and it doesn’t know what you’re trying to do, so is trying to protect you by holding on to water. Just hang in there, it will happen. There’s nothing you can do to make it happen faster, promise. 🙂

Hi , I have read the book but I can’t find the section about metaformin. Could someone please confirm whether the medication should be stopped when I go on the diet.
Thanks

Cooking with coconut flour can be a bit of a challenge as it sucks up liquid and it all depends on how big your eggs were etc. I think 2 tsps might not be enough but it is probably best to add a little bit at a time so you get a pouring consistently. The longer you let the batter rest the more it will thicken as well. I haven’t made this receip but other coconut flour pancakes I have made used 2 tblsps.

There is a website called sugar free mom that is also a good resource of recipes

Hi Kazza I have just started this diet one week ago. I have used Quorn sausages and calorie counted them into my allowance. They are quite reasonable as compared to most meats and are a tasty and lower fat alternative to ordinary sausages so if you can manage to weigh out your Quorn and count the calories, I see no reason why you should not include it in your diet. I have lost 4lbs already so I think I have got the hang of it!

Hi, Can anyone help please?

Has anyone made the recipe for no carb pancakes/waffles, I made this using the 2 egg white and one whole egg and milk but there seemed to be far too much coconut flour. Should the recipe say 2 tsps.? It tasted nice but was more like the consistency of mashed potato and not pourable at all. Maybe it’s me? Am going to try it again with 2 tsps. and see what its like. Had them/it with yogurt and blueberries which was very nice, also good and filling (although I only ate half).

I’m a big fan of Michael’s, he always makes sense and seems to look at things logically in a way I find interesting and motivating. Loved the 5:2 and in the last year have lost 2.5 stone. My doctor, who said he did not recommend diets advocated the 5:2 saying all his friends (doctors) were doing it purely for the health benefits. So thank you Michael a diet (5:2) that is for me doable long term, after of course, giving this 800 a day a go to alleviate my high blood sugar…..

There have been a few queries about dairy products so I have uploaded a page with a few studies confirming that dairy products are OK. Though remember they are fairly high calorie. Full fat or semi skimmed milk is OK to drink, but remember it contains quite a lot of calories.
See https://thebloodsugardiet.com/is-it-ok-to-eat-full-fat-dairy-like-yoghurt-milk-and-butter/

Ah thank you Jane H! I had that totally wrong haha! 🙂

Hi all, just started today!
Could anyone give me some more soup recipes ( apart from the ones on the book!) when I’m busy I just want to be able to grab something that I have already made and heat it up! I’d like to freeze some as well!

Hi there, lovely to read everyone’s experience of this diet really interesting and motivating, today is day 4 for me and I feel slightly sick after eating, and of course hungry some of the time. I eat most meals at work so have made things I can pack up and eat at my desk relatively easily. Lots of pennies being spent but that may be the increase in water intake. For me the worst days are the first few so hopefully onward and upwards.

Wel done to Zandranna 3lb in 3 days is amazing.

I monitor my sugars regular, and i find that any fruit is good providing i am exercising. Banana is better than chocolate and seams to fill me up after a ride, therefore i don’t snack.YES/NO open to advise.

Thanks and good luck to you both too. I’ve found in the past that once you can break free of carbs you really do not crave sugary or fatty snacks. It’s helping me that I’ve been doing Dry January as well so I’ve not been weakened by alcohol either. I only eat small portions anyway but it’s what I’ve been eating recently that has made me regain over 4 stone. It’s got to go!

It’s my third day today and after a shaky start this morning, am back on track. Have T2D, fasting bloods 5.7 this morning so pleased with that, Avocado & poached egg didn’t fill me up this morning so will try something different. Loving the mushrooms with goats cheese and a sprinkle of pine nuts, my favourite meal so far. Stomach not so bloated, have about 1.5 stone to lose. Thought I would be permanently starving, but am not, so am spurred on. Trying to convince my twin sister who also has T2D to give this a go. Loving reading the comments on the forum, it feels like a great support network. Good luck everybody

I have just posted my story on Facebook so all my “friends” know what my weight lose will be each week .