What is the 5:2 diet and how does it help you lose weight?

Diet: a word with only 5 letters and an infinite number of possibilities. In the past, for example, people ate live cestodas (a kind of worm) to lose weight. In 1925, cigarettes were sold as appetite suppressants. But don’t think that the 5:2 diet is that extreme. It poses no health risk, but it is not very common either.

Food restriction is directly related to weight loss. In 2004, Americans spent $46.3 billion in products or diets to lose weight. They vary widely and can act most strongly on a particular part of the body, but in general they tend to have a greater impact on the waist.

Today, we are going to share with you a diet that not only serves to lose excess weight, but also helps to fight some diseases.

For him: 528 calories.

For her: 382 calories.

The 5:2 diet implies intermittent fasting, but don’t be afraid to run out of food. The idea is that the person eats a normal amount of food 5 days a week and reduces the daily amount on the other 2 days (500 calories for women and 600 calories for men).

In this way, the body is not stressed by the diet all the time and does not stock up on additional calories. On hungry days, the body burns everything that was ingested on non-fasting days. The energy the body receives during fasting lasts for 2 days. Metabolism accelerates and weight loss occurs in a subtle way.

Pay attention to the days you are going to eat normally so you don’t overeat. You must refuse bread, food like fast food and foods with a lot of sugar. It is better to give preference to foods that are low in calories and low in fat. Otherwise, the results will not be good.

Also, be careful not to eat too little or even go without eating. Eat whatever you want, as long as they are healthy foods.

There is no rigid menu; you choose what you want to eat. The most important thing is that on fasting days you eat a limited amount of calories. There is no need to starve or say ‘no’ to everything. With this diet, the risk of developing stress due to food restriction is much lower. Intermittent fasting has a positive effect on health. It leads to a decrease in blood sugar, lowers blood pressure and balances cholesterol level. This diet also helps to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes and some heart diseases. In addition, the brain starts to function better, which leads to greater power of concentration. And, of course, diet helps you lose weight.

If you can plan your menu and meal times in advance, you will feel more secure. By doing this, you will always be more prepared, whether at work or anywhere else.

Divide the food into two to three meals on fasting days. It is best to alternate fasting days with other days. 12 hours must pass between the last meal of the afternoon and the first of the next day.

It’s important not to exclude whole food groups from your diet. Your body needs minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Dishes must always be balanced. For fasting days, the following products are suitable: low-fat meat and fish, egg whites, low-sugar fruits, ricotta, yogurt, salads, steamed meats, cereals and vegetables.

Don’t forget to drink lots of water. It helps prevent dehydration, tiredness and headaches. If you want, you can also drink tea. To get better results, you can start an exercise routine. The main thing is not to work too hard on fasting days.

If you’ve been on the 5:2 diet for several weeks and don’t lose weight, try fasting for 3 days (4:3). If you lose too much weight, you can opt for the 6:1 diet and eat fewer calories just once a week. When you reach the weight you had planned, go back to your usual diet.

If it is too difficult for you to eat 500 to 600 calories on fasting days, increase it to 800. But in this case, you need to have a low carb diet for the normal 5 days. You can use an app to count the calories you are eating.

Click here to find delicious 5:2 diet food recipes.

Before starting this diet, be sure to talk to your doctor. It is not always recommended for teenagers, people who suffer or have suffered from eating disorders and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People with diabetes or other chronic illnesses should also be careful.

So, are you ready for the 5:2 diet? Or have you tried and can you recommend another type of diet? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments!