The 5:2 Diet

[former_vbg 198]

So, I've been looking up various foods I typically eat to get the caloric / health label information because I tend to remove as much excess packaging on things after I come home from the store to conserve on space in the fridge so looking up is my only option right now until I can make it back to the store to look at these items myself.

I'm guessing I'm going to have to change my choice of butter, or at least make sure its the lowest I can buy. I'm not sure I can handle that butter spray even though its zero calories. Then, I got to thinking about what I drink everyday which is diet pepsi cherry flavor. I drink that like many drink coffee. Yes, I know there is lots of debate about whether we (those who have had WLS) should be drinking that- not going there, I don't believe it triggers anything for me. My issues are stress and properly managing it w/out using food aka carbs/ comfort foods.

I would like to hear from anyone who does drink diet sodas and is on this plan and what their experiences have been. I am going to TRY to drink more Water, but that will just have to be a work in progress thing. --------------

I drink a Hansons diet ginger ale maybe once a month. I never have been a great soda lover... lucky for me! Anyway, I support you in taking a look at your diet! If you use MFP you can look up the things you eat and find matches with all the details that add up your day. Its pretty fast. You can go generic If you don't remember the brand for an idea of what your consuming. There is a phone app as well, and once you eat something, its most likely on your regular list for that time of day and you can re-choose it.

Yep, I looked up a bunch of things yesterday on MFP. Fortunately many things I am eating should be ok but with some tweaking. Like you and several others have suggested, I need to really pay attention to the calories aspect of the foods I eat. Take for example Salad Dressing. I have always gone for the full fat Caesar or Ranch dressing because it is much less carbs. If you compare the lite versions, those are always higher in carbs. It will be a little uncomfortable for me to choose the lite in that kind of situation but its become obvious that focusing on low carbing is not helping w/getting off the regain.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

You may not have to make many changes, but just being aware of the cals can really help... it might just be a serving size change... and the two days of "fasting" is not giving up that much, there is always tomorrow to have your normal "go to"

[former_vbg 198]

I found this sauce Spanish Gardens YEARS and YEARS ago and absolutely love it. zero calories/ zero carbs. and SUPER tasty! I don't know how they did it, but I mix it with ground beef, scrambled eggs, almost a complete replacement for ketchup. They make it in Spicy also, but I don't do spice foods.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spanish-Gardens-Taco-Mild-Sauce-11.5-fl-oz/10313869

Edited December 29, 2013 by former_vbg

[lsereno 2,525]

I found this sauce Spanish Gardens YEARS and YEARS ago and absolutely love it. zero calories/ zero carbs. and SUPER tasty! I don't know how they did it, but I mix it with ground beef, scrambled eggs, almost a complete replacement for ketchup. They make it in Spicy also, but I don't do spice foods. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spanish-Gardens-Taco-Mild-Sauce-11.5-fl-oz/10313869

So glad you brought this up! This food label uses a trick to make it 0 calories. Note that the serving size is 5 grams. That's about 1/6th of an ounce. They made the serving size that small so they could say it's 0 calories. Foods with up to 4 calories per serving can be rounded down to 0 calories. So that sauce may have as much as 24 calories per ounce. Assuming two ounces in a quarter cup, a quarter cup would be closer to 50 calories.

Here's an article with details: http://www.hmrdiet.com/Inspire/Blog/P/161

Lynda

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I noticed the small serving size too...

[Georgia 2,908]

So glad you brought this up! This food label uses a trick to make it 0 calories. Note that the serving size is 5 grams. That's about 1/6th of an ounce. They made the serving size that small so they could say it's 0 calories. Foods with up to 4 calories per serving can be rounded down to 0 calories. So that sauce may have as much as 24 calories per ounce. Assuming two ounces in a quarter cup, a quarter cup would be closer to 50 calories. Here's an article with details: http://www.hmrdiet.com/Inspire/Blog/P/161 Lynda

Well said, Lynda! Scam!

[Globetrotter 1,340]

that's like with "sugar free", there can still be sugar alcohols and all sorts of things but so long as it doesn't have refined white sugar, they can call it sugar free!

[HoosierGirl 780]

I've been needing something to break through this stall....sounds like I have found it! Read about it yesterday and am currently on my first fasting day today! Big goals for 2014.....will be sure to share how it goes. Thanks for all the great information!

[BrownDoesAll 409]

Completed a good fast day yesterday. Getting back in control for 2014. Clean eating today with zero treats. Stay safe as u bring in the New Year

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Me too. Back down into my middle bounce.

[Happy Camper 266]

Happy New Year fellow sleevers :-) here is to a positive and healthy 2014, with continued weight loss.....

Feed Your Eye, Georgia, Laura V and others using 5:2, a few weeks ago I thought I could do it, and nope the old "hell with it, I want it" plagued me. I ended up finally having a hard time even looking at myself in the mirror, my belly fat returned, my arms and face are bigger. I am on new medication for seizures plus I am in full blown menopause so my hormones are whacked but, but, but, I did it. I started 5:2 and eating healthy with smaller portions again. Guess what, maybe it is Water weight but darn I got on the scale and wozers down 4 lbs. No matter what....it motivated me, so anyone thinking of doing it - JUST DO IT!!! For yourself.

I am a little over 2 years out and had lost 115 lbs, am back up over 200 so my weight loss is now only 95 lbs I had been so proud to be in onederland I am ashamed, was ashamed. Now back on MFP keeping myself accountable. I have gained back in approximately 7 months 20 lbs, I am done.

Thank you all for continued support, listening and sometimes just simply sharing your journey.

Take care.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I know sometimes its hard to say no, but even with fitting in a couple of fast days, it makes a difference. We all say "I can eat that tomorrow!" with the 5:2, it helps keep me on track. Fasted Monday, and again on Thursday (tomorrow) and eating happy hours style all two days in between (super grazing) but hope to at last get away from the party and holiday environment after that... for a while anyway! Looking forward to that. Going out for a hike today.

Cngrats to you, and it sounds like it just might work for you which is awesome!

[Queen of Crop 1,104]

Tomorrow is my first 5:2 day, a little nervous but happy to start getting back on track.....(I am typing this as I am drinking a glass of wine....hmmmmmmm!)

[coops 1,790]

Those of you who are trying this way for the first time - stick with it! I lost a pound beginning of christmas week - I know! I've fasted as well as I could of and over the Christmas and I am in my 2 lb bounce range! And I have eaten some crap, but tasty, treats!

Before June nothing worked for me and I tried everything and anything to get to goal - the 5:2 kicked started my weight loss and I have broken a few set point weights - I am slow losing on this plan, but I was a slow loser anyway! Stick with it - it works!

Oh and I am in the first stages of the menopause too... grrrr

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I hope you like it Queenie! It has been a lifesaver for me and my waistline.