Thanks, Debsym62. I have to have eggs for breakfast, otherwise I am starving mid morning. I am going to try the peanut butter and cream cheese tomorrow, as that sounds good. I agree about being busy, as I haven’t been busy today. I haven’t tried green tea because it contains caffeine, and my blood sugar seems to drop after caffeine, but I might try it. If you eat at 5 (as I have just done) do you have anything before bed?

I had that experience too! I’m one hot momma and not menopausal. Metabolic rate going up? Perhaps Dr. M could please ‘weigh’ in on this one.

The more carbs i eat, the hungrier I am. My doc suggested that i increase my fats, using a few walnuts. That cut down on the hunger too, even on 800 calories. Since Malkay you had avocado, you had the fats. Perhaps it was the bread? It took me about 10 days of experimenting until I could find the right balance of foods that left me feeling satisfied and not hungry.

Quinoa varies considerably in taste depending upon the brand. The earlier versions of it were more bitter. Perhaps look for a “non-bitter” label?

That roast tomato soup sounds lovely. Have you put it in the recipes? You should submit it.☺

I am having Greek yogurt and blueberries then the peanut butter and cream cheese dip for lunch with carrot, celery and pepper. That tends to keep me going I do have an apple with my lunch as well. Some days I have not been hungry at all but I find that is when I am busy, today nit been so busy and I was ready for my evening meal at 5.
Have you tried green tea! That seems to been helping me as well.

Hi everyone! I’m on the first week of the diet and I am feeling really hot after eating something. It’s like hot flushes that starts approximately 10 minutes after a meal. I am not in the menopause. But I was wondering if that’s a common symptom and if I should be worried about it.
Thank you!

I have been following the basic idea of this diet for about a week, (ie very low carb, Med diet), but not calorie counting, and I don’t seem to be losing much weight. So today I have been much more vigilant, and followed it to the letter. I had lunch ( avocado with bacon and 1 slice of low carb pumpernickel type bread), and 2 hours later was starving. I have had a small snack, but it is now only 4.45 and I am famished. I don’t have diabetes, but do have reactive hypoglycaemia which is a prediabetic condition. I feel as though my sugar is getting very low, and am going to have to eat again. Why is this diet not working for me, when everyone is raving about it? I know it makes sense, and I do feel better on low carb, but feel the calorie restriction is too much. But I NEED TO LOSE BELLY FAT!!!

Thankyou for that I shall certainly try it

I’d like to know too, as my book doesn’t arrive until Thursday. Do we count carb grams or does the doc just give food recommendations? Thanks!

I agree , day two for me and I am desperate for something sweet. Can’t we have anything?

Thank you all so much for the feedback. Well, I’m impatient to receive the book as soon as possible, so I paid the outrageous shipping and will receive my U.K. copy by Thursday from amazon U.K.! I also intend to buy the U.S. version when it’s available in March, as I’m more familiar with U.S. food measurements and the price is very low on U.S. Amazon. But this will get me started.

Natalie, thank you so much for that information. I plan on starting Monday and will do two consecutive days next week.

David, I really like the flexibility of this plan too. I am familiar with 5:2 but could never stick to the 500 calories, because my blood sugar issues leave me starving. But I can do 800. In fact, as an experiment I did so yesterday, filling up on protein and veg, and it was very doable. It’s amazing how far those 300 extra calories go in filling you up. But I don’t think I can do it for 8 weeks straight, so 5:2 is perfect for me.

Claire, it sounds like you have a good plan there. I’ve been meaning to lower the carbs for quite a while now, and now I’m forced to do it because of my health. Dr. Mosley’s book couldn’t have come at a better time.

Has anyone got started yet? I have not had any diagnosis but experience low blood sugar sometimes and my waist height ratio is not healthy. Very interesting to read the post above about 500cals being possibly more difficult for people with blood sugar issues as 5:2 didn’t work all that well for me, despite following it for 8 months, but I suspect this version will due to higher cals and healthier, more controlled lower carb eating on ‘non fast days’. I am planning to at least do 5:2 but aiming to get more 800 cal days in if pos. On days I go higher I will aim to exercise , 800 cals a day with exercise sounds pretty tough but hopefully I will experiment with that too. Good luck everyone starting.

skibareen.. well done you.

Yes its the novelty wearing off. I think I have had a calorie or 2 too many.

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.