5:2 Diet

WHAT IS THE 5:2 DIET?

The 5:2 Diet was created by Dr Michael Mosley, who introduced it to us in a 2012 BBC Documentary Eat, Fast and Live Longer. 

When Michael was tested in the documentary he discovered his body was a third fat which put him at a higher chance of heart disease or cancer. After he changed his diet and followed the 5:2 diet his chances lowered quite dramatically.

5:2 is all about eating normally 5 days a week and fasting for 2 days. Originally the fast called for under 600 calories a day for men and under 500 for women during a fast day. It has recently been updated to under 800 calories for everyone.

I used this diet successfully when it started and lost 1 stone in weight. My weight has gradually crept up again and so I am starting back on the diet again. I found it easy if I was organised and I felt positive on the days I was doing it. Organisation is definitely my downfall, but once I get started I am fine.

Scroll down for more information on the diet and recipes

The 5:2 Diet

• The 5:2 Diet Exlained

• 5:2 Diet for Vegetarians

• Calorie Counting for the 5:2 Diet

• 5:2 Diet Menu Options

• The New 5:2 Diet Explained (2017)

SAVOURY RECIPES

BURGERS

BBQ 'Shroom Buns - 373 calories each
Mushroom & Lentil Sliders - 91 calories per mini burger
Spiced Chickpea, Carrot and Coriander Burgers - 257 per naked burger
Vegan Lentil and Mushroom Burgers - 187 calories per naked burger


note: instead of having burgers in a bun why not serve them in an iceberg lettuce wrap with a little sauce or serve them with baked beans for added protein.

PIZZA & PASTA

Rich Tomato and Roast Vegetable Pasta Bake - 336 calories per portion

Red Pepper & Rocket Pizza - 269 calories per portion
Simple Tomato Sauce for Pasta - 63 calories per portion
Spaghetti Bolognaise - 355 calories with 75g spaghetti and no cheese

RICE

Savoury Cauliflower Rice - 137 calories per portion
Southern Style Rice -  232 calories per portion

SALAD

Avocado,Apple & Hazelnut Salad - 227 calories per portion
Fridge Salad - 230 calories per portion
Grilled Vegetable Couscous Salad - 337 calories per portion
Potato and Beetroot Salad with Mozzarella - 300 calories per portion

SAUCES & DRESSINGS

Red Pepper Sweet Chilli Sauce - 28 calories per tbsp
Spicy Bean Pate - 111 calories for a generous serving

SOUP

5 Minute Green Smoothie Soup - 42 calories per portion

Broccoli and Celery Soup - 111 calories per portion
NEW  Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup - 128 calories per portion

NEW  Carrot, Leek and Mustard Seed Soup - 119 calories per portion
 Carrot, Turmeric and White Bean Soup - 188 calories per portion

Easy Broccoli and Spinach Soup - 145 calories per portion

Hearty Spice Cauliflower and Carrot Soup - 64 calories per portion

Minestrone Soup - 198 calories per portion

Parsnip, Carrot & Lentil Soup - 175 calories per portion

Quick Blender Broccoli and Stilton Soup - 97 calories per portion

Quick Green Freezer Soup - 94 calories per portion

Rich Blender Tomato Soup - 33 calories per portion

Spiced Carrot, Lentil and Spinach Soup 138 calories per portion

Spicy Butternut Squash Soup - 113 calories per portion

Spicy Tomato and Lentil Soup - 123 calories per portion
Winter Vegetable Soup - 115 calories per portion

STEW, PIES & BAKES

Cottage Garden Pie - 342 calories per portion

Moroccan Style Potato Bake - 233 calories per portion

Rich Tomato and Roast Vegetable Pasta Bake - 336 calories per portion

Smoked Vegetable Stew - 103 calories per portion

Vegetable & Lentil Stew - 242 calories per portion
NEW Veggie Sausage Birra (stew) - 307 calories per portion
NEW Veggie Sausage, Mushroom and Bean Stew - 338 calories per portion

TACOS & SLOPPY JOES

NEW Sloppy Joes - 175 calories per sloppy joe filling + 230 calories for a burger bun

 NEW Spiced Tofu and Mushroom Tacos - 183 calories per filled taco

SWEET RECIPES

Banoffee Pie - 253 calories per portion

Cinnamon Apple Crisps - 50 calories per portion

Coconut Fruit Salad -  174 calories per portion

Mean Green Smoothie - 71 calories per portion

Pink Mango Smoothie - 115 calories per portion

Sin-Free Chocolate Mousse - 126 calories per portion

Swamp Juice - 115 calories per portion

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