How many calories are you allowed on the 5:2 diet?

The 5:2 diet is actually very simple to explain. For five days per week, you eat normally and don’t have to think about restricting calories. Then, on the other two days, you reduce your calorie intake to a quarter of your daily needs. This is about 500 calories per day for women, and 600 for men.

What food can I eat on 5:2 diet?

Include vegetables and protein on fasting days with some carbs in order to help manage and control your appetite. If you do choose to follow the diet, make sure that your non-fast days are packed with nutritious options, including fruit, veg, wholegrains and lean protein such as chicken, fish, turkey and dairy foods.

What is a good breakfast when fasting?

Upma, quinoa or oats with lots of nuts, seeds and Greek yoghurt is great for this. “[Eating] complex carbs and nuts together provides both instant and long lasting energy, while the protein helps to build muscle,” explains the nutritionist.

What can I eat for breakfast on the 5:2 diet?

Dr Michael Mosley shares his simplest ever 5:2 diet breakfast recipes, from omelettes and poached eggs to granola and porridge.

  • Tomato baked eggs with avocado toast. Adrian Lawrence.
  • Berry baked granola with yoghurt.
  • Poached egg on greens with tomatoes and feta.
  • Porridge with banana, yoghurt, berry swirl and toasted seeds.

How can I eat 800 calories a day?

The Fast 800 diet involves cutting your calories intake to 800 a day for the first couple of weeks. You then progress to 5:2 stage – where you’re only required to eat this number of calories for two days a week, while following a sensible diet on the other five days.

How many calories should I consume to lose 2lbs a week?

Generally to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity. Depending on your weight, 5% of your current weight may be a realistic goal, at least for an initial goal.