When people start a diet, they typically feel sad that they have to say goodbye to their favorite foods. They can't eat any more cake, or devour a fatty burger and fries. Instead, they have to stick with fish, vegetables, and other healthy items. Actually, that's not always the case. There's a new diet called the 5/2 Diet that allows people to eat whatever they want five days a week.
What is the 5/2 Diet?
The 5/2 Diet is an intermittent fasting diet. Basically, people eat a restricted calorie diet two days a week and eat whatever they want the other five days of the week. Dieters pick the two days of the week they want to fast. During those two days, men can consume 600 calories and women can consume 500 calories. The calories can be broken up into meals, or the person can eat all of the calories at one time. It's important that dieters find the best option for their own needs.
Benefits
First, of course, this diet can help people lose weight. On top of that, the fasting that's included in the diet is believed to lower people's insulin-like growth factor 1 hormone (IGF-1). This hormone helps people grow. After people finish growing, though, the hormone can actually cause them to age faster. By lowering the hormone, it is believed that people can live longer, healthier lives, and look younger in the process. Additionally, lowering the hormone is believed to decrease the chance of getting Alzheimer's and cancer.
Drawbacks
While the 5/2 Diet has lots of benefits, it also has some drawbacks. First, some nutritionists are worried that the diet can cause people to develop eating disorders, since it focuses on binging and restricting calories.
Also, fasting can make it difficult to concentrate, which can cause you to have some problems at work and at home.
Tips for the Diet
You should plan your fasting days ahead of time so you won't have to prepare meals when you're hungry. On top of that, you need to plan your fasting days around important events in your life. For example, if you have a weekend trip planned, you should fast during the week so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Additionally, don't exercise on your fasting days. You won't have the strength you need to exercise vigorously, and you could end up getting injured.
Also, don't put your fasting days back to back. Have at least one regular eating day in between your fasting days so you can get your strength back up. This will make the diet much easier.
Finally, don't be discouraged if the first fasting day is very difficult. You might have a headache and feel weak, but that's normal. Lots of dieters reported that the first fasting day was the most difficult, but the fasting days got progressively easier. Thus, don't back down just because you have a hard day.
The Bottom Line
The 5/2 Diet definitely has its benefits. It can help people lose weight and get healthier. However, dieters have to be careful so they don't develop an eating disorder.
If you try the 5/2 Diet, be sure to monitor your behavior so you can stay healthy while you lose weight. If you feel confident that you can do that, the 5/2 Diet might be the perfect plan for you.
Glenn Ford is an avid diet/fitness researcher for http://www.weightloss-hq.biz/ as well as several other popular workout portals. Visit here for information on the smoothie diet or search WeightLoss HQ for hundreds of other reviews, tips, and advice.
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