The 5-2 Diet: What It Is, And How It Works

The 5:2 diet: What is it, how 
it works plus recipe ideas

It's the diet that lets you have your cake – and eat it too. 

But what does the 5:2 diet really entail, and does it work?

Supporters of the new craze claim that it does a lot more than just help with weight loss. According to its followers, the 5:2 diet is can help you live longer, look younger and even ward off dementia as well as lose weight. Made famous by the BBC’s Horizon programme Eat, Fast and Live Longer,

Studies suggested that fasting once or twice a week can protect the brain against illnesses including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The Fasting Diet

The premise behind the 5:2 diet is to eat normally for five days, while fasting on the other two days. It is suggested that you limit yourself to 500 cals (600 for men) for two non-consecutive days a week. But, the silver lining is that you are given a free reign on your choice of food for the other five days.

‘I think because, unlike other diets where certain foods are restricted, you know that you can have whatever you want, you’re just a bit more relaxed about things. I don’t go crazy on my feed days, but I might opt for a sandwich rather than having a salad, and have pasta, which in the past I might have avoided if I was trying to lose weight, but I don’t go over the top,’ she says.

How does the 5:2 diet work?

The plan promises to be the easiest fasting regime to adapt into your regular lifestyle, and food lovers have been turning to this diet in droves.

If you fancy giving the 5:2 diet plan a try, here are some of our favourite fasting-day recipes! Good luck!

5:2 Diet Recipes

What to have for breakfast on a 'fasting day'

Cheese & Tomato Breakfast Omelette – 170 calories *

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 6 minutes
Total time: 16 minutes

• 5 sprays of rapeseed oil (22 calories)
• 35g cherry tomatoes (halved = 6 calories)
• 1/4 red onion, peeled, and finely diced (about 40g = 8 calories)
• 6 or 8 fresh basil leaves (4 calories)
• 2 small Free-Range eggs (37g each = 54 calories x 2 = 108 calories)
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (22 calories)
• salt and pepper

Step 1 Heat up a small non-stick frying pan and spray the oil into it, then add the onions and fry over a gentle heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until nearly soft; add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for a further 3 to 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and just start to release their juices. Take off the heat and add the chopped basil leaves, Spoon the tomato mixture into a bowl and  clean the pan.

Step 2 Beat the eggs with a little water and then season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat the non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and then add the beaten eggs, swirling them around the pan and constantly tipping the pan and drawing the edges into the middle, to allow to runny egg to run out and set. (Use a wooden fork or Teflon spatula)

Step 3 When the eggs are nearly set to your liking, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over one half and then spoon the tomatoes over the top of the cheese, flip one half over and cook for a further 1 to 2 minutes until the omelette is set.

Step 4 Slide the omelette out of the pan on to a warm plate and season with black pepper. Can be served as a light lunch with salad leaves, but add the calories on for that!

Source:

http://www.closeronline.co.uk/2014/02/the-5-2-diet-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work-plus-recipe-ideas#.VAcjzcVdV7s