In March 2013 after viewing Michael Mosley’s inspirational documentary Eat, Fast and Live Longer I embarked on the 5-2 Challenge. The aim is to eat normally for five days and consume no more than 500 calories on two non consecutive fast days each week. The rationale behind the diet together with a link back to the BBC Horizon’s documentary is included in my original post Eat, Fast and Live Longer. What’s It All About? Intermittent Fasting and the 5-2 Diet Plan.
One viewing and I was hooked. My personal challenge? Create interesting plates of food that I would want to eat for under 500 calories a day. The emphasis very firmly on fresh, healthy and vibrant whole food. Cooked from scratch. Visually appealing and full of flavour.
After 6 months I’ve collected quite an extensive collection of recipe ideas and in an attempt to make the journey even easier I have categorised my posts by calorie count. We all know that every fast day is different. Some days are easy, others almost intolerable. Some require two or three mini meals, other’s just one. Choose your meals by calorie count each fast day by clicking on the appropriate category and scroll through the images. Remember you are allowed just 500 calories per day. Of course I will be updating these categories with new 5-2 recipe posts as they become available.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. The 5-2 Diet. Putting It All Together. For Under 500 Calories a Day.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. 5-2 Diet Recipe Ideas Under 100 Calories.
Eat Fast And Live Longer. 5-2 Diet Recipe Ideas Under 200 Calories.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. 5-2 Diet Recipe Ideas Under 300 Calories.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. 5-2 Diet Recipe Ideas Under 400 Calories.
Each of my 5-2 recipe posts are also represented below in the chronological order I first tackled the fast diet. Clicking on an image will take you to a picture carousel which includes a link back to the original blog post and recipe. Scrolling to the bottom of this page will take you to a chronological listing of my fast day recipes, also linked back to their original posts. Hopefully making that elusive post or recipe you are searching for that little easier to find.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. What’s It All About? Intermittent Fasting and the 5-2 Diet Plan.
The 5-2 Challenge. Figuring Out What To Eat On Five Hundred Calories A Day.
The 5-2 Challenge. Lessons I Have Learned. Stock Up the Pantry. Minimal Cooking. Avoid Cappuccinos.
The 5-2 Challenge. Resetting My Appetite Thermostat. A Bowl of Puy Lentil and Vegetable Soup.
The 5-2 Challenge. Eating With The Seasons. Roast Pumpkin and Red Lentil Soup with Moroccan Spices
The 5-2 Challenge. Staying on Task. Seared Blue Eye Cod. Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. Cauliflower and Cannellini Bean Mash.
The 5-2 Challenge. My Mantra. Eat Mindfully. Seared Tuna Nicoise Salad.
The 5-2 Challenge. Veering off Course. A Little. Pumpkin, Leek and Spinach Salad with Pine Nuts.
The 5-2 Challenge. A Hearty One Pot Dish. Chicken Couscous with Fresh Harissa, Roasted Capsicum and Green Beans.
The 5-2 Challenge. In the Groove. Stir-Fried Chicken, Vegetable and Herb Lettuce Cups.
The 5-2 Challenge. How Apt. Screening in Australia. On My Fast Day. Michael Mosley’s Documentary. Eat, Fast and Live Longer.
The 5-2 Challenge. Adapting Recipes To Fit The Brief. Green Goddess Dressing With Avocado and Greek Yoghurt.
The 5-2 Challenge. Reinterpreting a Classic. As a Salad. Prawn Cocktail With Green Goddess Dressing.
The 5-2 Challenge. Keeping Busy. Oven Poached Chicken Breast With a Roast Capsicum, Tomato and Couscous Stuffing.
The 5-2 Challenge. More Reinvention. The Modern Bircher Muesli. Overnight Oats in a Jar with Raspberries.
The 5-2 Challenge. On Trend. Gourmet Popcorn with Nori Gomashio. A Japanese Sesame Seed, Seaweed and Salt Seasoning.
The 5-2 Challenge. Some Like It Hot. Shakshuka. Moroccan Eggs in a Spicy Tomato Sauce.
The 5-2 Challenge. A Glass of Wine. Spicy Mediterranean Seafood Soup
The 5-2 Challenge. A Fast Day Roast. Frenched Rack of Lamb With Dijon Mustard and Mint.
The 5-2 Challenge. A Surprisingly Low Calorie Count. Cauliflower, Potato and Leek Soup With Crispy Prosciutto.
The 5-2 Challenge. Something Warming. Oven Roasted Capsicums With A Spicy Cherry Tomato, Chickpea And Couscous Stuffing.
The 5-2 Challenge. A Fast Day Calorie Counting Conundrum. Pea and Ham Soup.
The 5-2 Challenge. The Perfect Steak. Seared Beef Eye Fillet With Caponata.
The 5-2 Challenge. Chicken Soup for the Soul. Stracciatella.
The 5-2 Challenge. Fast Day Quick Meal. Tomato and Chilli Omelette With Avocado and Fresh Herbs.
The 5-2 Challenge. Ancient Grains. Farro Pilaf with Swiss Brown Mushrooms, Silverbeet and Broccolini
The 5-2 Challenge. A Hearty Winter Meal. Pot Roasted Pork Scotch Fillet with Onions and Sweet Potato
The 5-2 Challenge. Exploring New Food Trends. Kimchi and Korean Style Fried Rice With Egg Omelette.
The 5-2 Challenge. A Japanese Inspired Noodle Bowl. Spicy Chicken Soba Noodle Soup With Broccolini and Spinach
The 5-2 Challenge. A Man Sized Fast Day. Seared Salmon Fillet With Lemon, Garlic and Chilli Roasted Cauliflower.
The 5-2 Challenge. Layering Flavours. Spiced Pumpkin, Orange and Ginger Soup With Gremolata Crumbs
The 5-2 Challenge. How To Build Your Own Skinny Stir-Fry. My Version? Stir Fried Chicken With Red Capsicum, Broccolini and Chilli Jam.
The 5-2 Challenge. Winter Warmer. Chicken and Leek Soup With Lemon and Pearl Barley.
The 5-2 Challenge. Sweet and Healthy. Blueberry and Apple Breakfast Compote.
The 5-2 Challenge. The Lowdown on Potatoes. Baked Potato Skins With Colcannon.
The 5-2 Challenge. Cooking From Scratch. Home Made Yoghurt In A Jar.
The 5-2 Challenge. Winter Greens. Radicchio and Endive Salad with Fennel, Apple, Crisp Pancetta and Roasted Hazelnuts.
The 5-2 Challenge. My Fast Day Snack With Crunch. Oven Baked Beetroot Crisps.
The 5-2 Challenge. Fast, Healthy and Wholesome. Raspberry and Banana Smoothies.
The 5-2 Challenge. Full of Flavour. Low in Fat. Lamb Shank and Barley Soup With Vegetables.
The 5-2 Challenge. The Beauty of Delayed Gratification. Seared Marinated Rump Steak
The 5-2 Challenge. A Fast Day Curry. Butter Chicken With A Difference.
The 5-2 Challenge. Raw Food At Its Very Best. Citrus Carpaccio of Snapper With a Fennel and Blood Orange Salad
The 5-2.Challenge. Thinking Outside The Square. La Cecina. Chickpea Crêpes With a Vine Ripened Tomato, Avocado and Rocket Salad.
The 5-2 Challenge. A Little Bit of Luxury. Slow Baked Salmon with Preserved Lemon Chermoula and Soft Herbs.
The 5-2 Challenge. Fresh, Delicious and Vibrant. A Fast Day Guacamole With Crushed Spring Peas.
The 5-2 Challenge. A Taste of Mexico. Homemade Corn Tortilla. Served With Grilled Chicken In An Achiote Citrus Marinade And A Roasted Corn and Grape Tomato Salsa.
The 5-2 Challenge. The Perfect Fast Day Meal. Baked Eggs Wrapped In Prosciutto
The 5-2 Challenge. A Feast For Your Eyes. Deconstructed and Stacked Waldorf Salad with A Lemon and Honey Yoghurt Dressing.
The 5-2 Challenge. Nasu Dengaku. Roasted Eggplant With A Sweet Miso Glaze.
The 5-2 Challenge. A Very Old Favourite. Oriental Cabbage Salad With Shredded Chicken.
The 5-2 Challenge. Keeping Cool When Temperatures Soar. Watermelon, Mint and Lime Paletas or Granita.
The 5-2 Challenge. An Asian Inspired Pork Larb Salad With Ground Toasted Rice.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Pork, Mushroom and Broccolini Rice Paper Rolls With a Sweet Chilli Lime Dipping Sauce.
Eat, Fast Live Longer. 5-2 Fast Day Recipe Idea Under 350 Calories. Toasted Fregola Salad With Hot-Smoked Salmon, Asparagus, Pine Nuts and Mint.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Cauliflower Couscous with Fresh Harissa, Roasted Capsicum and Sweet Potato.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Asian Style Spicy Chicken and Roasted Corn Soup.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Egg Omelette And Nori Rolls Filled With Fresh Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories. Roasted Pork Sirloin Steak With Ratatouille.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Meal Idea under 400 Calories. Barbecued Harissa Prawns With An Israeli Couscous Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 300 Calories. Grilled Nectarine Salad With Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 200 Calories. A Classic Middle Eastern Salad. Tabbouleh Lettuce Cups.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. A Classic Catalan Salsa. Romesco Sauce.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 200 Calories. Grilled Asparagus Salad With Rocket, Mint and Parmesan.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 400 Calories. Spicy Chinese Style Roasted Green Beans With Stir Fried Pork.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. Surviving The Christmas Party Circuit On The 5-2 Fast Diet. Choose Drinks Wisely. Cranberry Vodka On Ice.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Grilled Corn Salsa.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Red Lentil Dahl With Roasted Vine-Ripened Cherry Tomatoes, Green Beans and Mint.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories. Inspired By My French Heaven’s Lentil and Salmon Salad
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Thigh Fillets with Rosemary and Garlic.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. Eating Clean. A 5-2 Fast Day Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Roasted Beetroot and Carrot Salad With Puy Lentils, Rocket And Feta.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer.A 5-2 Fast Day Meal Idea Under 300 Calories. A Mediterranean Grilled Haloumi and Summer Vegetable Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories. An Indian Inspired Tandoori Chicken and Fresh Mango Salad With Pappadums.
Eat, Fast And Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Meal Idea Under 200 Calories. Banana Pancake Stack With Summer Stone Fruit.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Lamb Shank, Sweet Potato and Barley Salad With Pomegranate and Fresh Herbs.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Jerusalem’s Turkey and Zucchini Meatballs With Spring Onion and Cumin.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Inspired By…Spontaneous Tomato. Avgolemono. Greek Egg & Lemon Soup.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Meal Idea Under 100 Calories. Simple Mexican Style Summer Stone Fruit Salad With Chilli, Lime and Sea Salt.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Clear Tomato Consommé.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Watermelon And Feta Salad With Mint, Parsley, Pistachio and Lime.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Autumn Fig, Pear and Radicchio Salad With Prosciutto and Pomegranate.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Diet Meal Idea Under 200 Calories. Asian Slaw.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Diet Meal Idea Under 400 Calories. Spicy Thai Coconut Soup with Snapper, Prawns and Rice Noodles.
Eat, Fast And Live Longer. A 5-2 Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Sweet Potato and Leek Soup With Apple and Ginger.
Eat, Fast And Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Meal Idea Under 300 Calories. Japanese Inspired French Onion Soup With Oven Baked Parmesan Crisps.
Eat, Fast And Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Meal Idea Under 300 Calories. Sesame And Shitake Mushroom Soba Noodles With Crispy Kale.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Som Tam. Thai Green Papaya Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Lemon, Silverbeet and Green Lentil Soup.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 400 Calories. Warm Chicken And Fregola Salad With Charred Radicchio and Fennel.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 300 Calories. Shredded Filo Pastry Topped Chicken And Leek Pot Pies with Roasted Pear And Parsnip.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Hearty Minestrone Soup With Bacon And Pasta
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories. Lions Head Meatballs With Bok Choy and Shitake Mushrooms.
Eat, Fast And Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Idea Under 100 Calories. Lemon, Mint and Cucumber Infusion With Apple Cider Vinegar
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Savoury Zucchini And Bacon Muffins.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad With Fennel, Apple, Rocket and Bacon.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Roasted Green Chilli Sauce. Poblano Style.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Seared Snapper Fillet With A Fresh Parsley And Chive Sauce.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories. Brunch Bruschetta With Soft Poached Egg and Avocado Salsa
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Chickpea, Tuna and Fennel Salad.
Eat, Fast And Live Longer. It’s All About The Chicken. 5-2 Fast Day Hainanese Chicken With Broccolini And Steamed Rice.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Egg Salad With Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Melanie’s Barley Wrap Pizza.
Eat, Fast And Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Hummus With Roasted Red Capsicum
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Oven Baked Sweet Potato Crisps.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Chinese Style Egg Omelette.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. A Crisp Green Salad With Fennel, Pistachio and Blood Orange.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Japanese Hand Rolls “Temaki Zushi”
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Watermelon And Grilled Haloumi Salad With Chimichurri Dressing.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Spring Vegetable Frittata With Asparagus And Broccolini.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Dairy Free Pea And Watercress Soup
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Raw Power House Super Food Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Raw Asparagus and Zucchini Salad with Parmesan, Lemon And Mint
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Chinese Style Steamed Eggplant Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Oven Baked Sweet Potato And Carrot Rosti.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Tamagoyaki. Japanese Rolled Egg Omelette.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 300 Calories. Spring Stir Fry With Chicken, Asparagus And Snow Peas
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Cooling Mango Buttermilk Lassi.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Mini Caprese Cocktail Santas.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Frozen Grapes And Cherries.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Rockmelon, Prosciutto And Feta Salad With Mixed Salad Leaves.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Frozen Yoghurt Drops With Cranberries and Pistachio.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Ottolenghi’s Pomegranate, Tomato And Roasted Lemon Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Warm Broccoli ‘Rice’ Salad With Bacon, Garlic, Chilli And Parmesan.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Tuscan Style Shredded Kale, Fennel And Radish Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Savoury Granola.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Shredded Kale Salad With Roasted Butternut Pumpkin And Savoury Granola.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories. Sweet Potato And Green Bean Frittata With Smoked Salmon.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Lean And Mean Green Vegetable Soup.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Strawberry Chia Agua Fresca.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Soft Cauliflower Tortillas.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Larb Gai. Thai Chicken Salad.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Sautéed Green Beans With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories.Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes Loaded With Spiced Lamb.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Salad With Smoked Salmon, Spinach And Cucumber.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Pumpkin and Spinach Dahl.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Mini Berry And Yoghurt Smoothie Bowls.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Black Forest Trail Mix.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Beef Broth, Stock or Brodo.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories. Shredded Kale Salad With Grilled Haloumi, Roast Pumpkin And Beetroot Crisps
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Yellow Split Pea and Vegetable Soup With Crispy Shredded Kale.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Roasted Eggplant Salad With Saffron Yoghurt And Pomegranate.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Creamy Broccoli Soup With Crispy Oven Roasted Chickpeas.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 300 Calories. Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad With Crispy Bacon, Apple, Hazelnuts and Farro.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 200 Calories. Overnight Yoghurt Chia Seed Pudding In A Jar.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Whole Roasted Cauliflower With A Chermoula Spiced Yoghurt Crust.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 400 Calories. Warm “Cauliflower Couscous” With Grilled Chermoula Spiced Chicken, Roast Pumpkin And Capsicum.
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. Orange Scented Double Cacao Hazelnut Bliss Bombs.
Eat, Fast And Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Meal Idea Under 100 Calories. Whipped Feta
Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Day Idea Under 200 Calories. Sweet Roasted Carrot Hummus
Lots of awesome ideas here I will be stealing!!
Thanks. The recipes are there to be enjoyed by everyone. The hardest part of the 5-2 diet is figuring out what you can eat…
Thank you for liking my post on the 5:2 diet. I wish I had these recipes when I was attempting it.
After watching Michael Mosley’s documentary I was intrigued to find out how interesting a 500 calorie day could be. Diets really don’t appeal to me. I need something delicious on my plate to look forward to and keep me on track.Maybe next time…
I was inspired by that documentary too. I may just try some of the recipies anyway. 🙂
Wow, you’ve got heaps of recipes (some with red meat….mmm ..red meat). I’ll use this weekend wisely and scour your site for some tasty 5:2 recipes. I’m on my own quest to prepare filling meals for around 300 calories. Do you have a calorie counter site you use ? (I’m using a spreadsheet). Keep up the good work!
Mostly Fatsecret or Livestrong web sites for calorie counters. As far as I can work out the key to a successful fast day is to revert to old fashioned healthy eating and avoiding processed food as much as possible. It’s amazing how much food you can put on a plate for under 500 calories when you follow a few simple rules, Goodluck with your fasting.
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I am just about to start the challenge and was worried about keeping under the 500 calories. Your blog has encouraged me so much. Bring on Monday, fast day #1!
Wonderful to hear that my posts have encouraged you to embark on the 5-2 journey. For the record I’m jumping back on the wagon and today is my first fast day after a month long break.Best of luck and remember the first day is always the hardest.
Wow Paddington Foodie !
Just heard about this approach to eating, from a customer. I am a dog groomer in Coronado, CA. He lost weight, got his bad heart, and blood pressure under control, since April of this year.
His doctor is astounded !
I ordered the book, and looked around online for menu ideas….and here you are !
Amazing menus ! You are a Godsend !
Getting older, too much fat around midsection, not ready to give up the ghost….
Just wanted to say THANK YOU !
Take care my dear…
Rose
Thanks Rose. Glad you are enjoying the posts and inspired by them. I look forward to my fast days now- especially after a big weekend. Fasting does get easier the longer you perservere with it. As long as I have something interesting to put on my plate at the end of the day I’m happy.
Your posts are so wonderful to read. I have been looking for inspiration from an Australian writer as so many of the UK suggestions suggest Tesco ready meals, I could scream! As a fellow food lover I need to shift those extra kilos to make an excuse for more food.
Totally agree with you about ready meals Alison. I can’t quote get my head around using them over fresh food. All those preservatives and additives seem so counter intuitive to the philosophy of the 5-2 diet and it’s associated health benefits. I think of my fast days as my ‘Goddess’ days so like to use fabulously fresh ingredients prepared from scratch.
OH MY! I can not believe such beautiful food can be possible on the 5:2 diet! Your carousel is inspiring. I am going to share this page with my fellow foodie friends who are trying to stick to the 5:2 and honestly, I feel inspired to try it again myself looking at this wonderful bounty 😀
The 5-2 has become a necessity in my life since starting this blog. All the cooking and baking. I can taste test with abandon as long as I take two days out for fasting. Im not a boiled egg and crispbread kind of girl, so challenged myself to put together interesting plates of food for 500 calories a day. Hope it inspires!
It really does – thank you so much for sharing!
I was wondering how to go about the 500 calories a day. Or rather, some suggestions. How do you split up your day? Do you have 100 calories for breakfast, 100 for lunch and then 300 for dinner? Any tips? Thanks!
At first it was a little challenging. I find it easiest to skip breakfast and have a small (150-200 calorie) meal for brunch anywhere between 11am and 1pm depending on the day and save the rest for dinner. The rest of my family eats what I do just bigger portions with sides of extra carbohydrate. In winter I always included a skim cappuccino into my brunch/lunch allocation – a 70 calorie indulgence to get me through the day. There are no hard and fast rules, everyone seems to have a different approach. It’s amazing how much food you can put on a plate concentrating on lots of fresh produce, a little lean protein, and limited fats,sugars and carbs. Good luck. I hope you give it a try.
Thanks for these tips. I will give it a go and let you know how I make out. 🙂
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I’m really interested to know has your health improved? or did you lose weight? there seems to be no results of your time doing the 5:2 fast
There is definitely a slow and steady weight loss associated with the 5-2 fast – about half a kilo a month when I fast two days and maintenance of a stable weight when I drop to just one. A great way to halt the dreaded kilo creep. And yes I do feel better and have loads more energy. I was motivated to try 5-2 as I was fascinated by the challenge of putting interesting food I would want to eat on a plate for just 500 calories a day so haven’t really focussef on the weight loss side of things. It’s a happy coincidence that aloes me indulge in a very food centric life.
I think I’ve spent all day reading & printing off your recipes. Fabulous stuff. Just one question, I recently read a report on the nutritional value of watercress, that it’s better, nutritionally than all the superfoods, like Kale. Have been looking for a watercress soup to fit into the 5:2 plan and wondered if you are up for the challenge?
Wow.I just looked back through my blog that would be a lot of recipes. Watercress is just beginning to come into season. It would be fabulous paired with peas in a non dairy fast day soup. I’ll look out for watercress at the markets.
Just posted a fast day recipe for Watercress and Pea Soup. Thanks for the inspiration – it’s delicious and wonderfully refreshing for a hot summer day.
Thank you ! I saw it this morning. Always so well researched as well.
I just love your blog, you have such a wonderful collection of colourful health selections. I am a 5:2 faster and I would love to share your blog as a reference tool on a Facebook page I manage for 5:2 recipe ideas and support, and will send a lot of member to your blog. You are absolutely brilliant and I love all the ideas that you have come up with. I have subscribed and will be visiting regularly.
Thanks for your very kind words Sally. The recipes on the blog are there for everyone to share – so lovely to hear you are enjoying them so much. Feel free to post to your facebook page.
Thank you thank you thank you!!! You have made my step in to the 5:2 world so much easier. Your recipes are delicious and including the calorie count makes the fast days easier to manage. The Paddington Foodie is my go-to each fast day for meal inspiration and planning. Once again thank you for your recipes and generosity in sharing them with us all.
It’s funny really – these 5-2 posts evolved out of a personal challenge to devise meals I would actually want to eat if I was restricted to just 500 calories a day. Some fast day recipes have now become firm feast day favourites. We’re all eating better and our palates have changed. So lovely to hear you’re enjoying the recipes. Part of me thinks it’s the way we all used to eat before processed food became so readily available.
I agree. We try to eat very little processed foods but the calorie count still creeps up………
I think part of your magic is sharing the pesky calorie counting with us. All we have to do is prepare the recipe and measure out a cup (or whatever) and we are set!
you have some fantastic recipes that look both tasty and pretty healthy. I also think the 5-2 challenge is very interesting.
I am with a company called wellpath solutions, and I am wondering if you would be interested in joining our affiliate program as an affiliate.
If this sounds like something you might want to pursue, then let me know and we can take next steps.
Love your recipes !!!
I stumbled across this site… and like all fellow, grateful recipients I just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing. I was doing the 5:2 diet for 6 months, lost about 10kg, then I’m not sure what happened but I slowly started making excuses as to why I didn’t fast that week. Before I knew it I’m 6 months along and back to rubbish old habits. I actually think a large reason was I found it difficult to come up with interesting meals and just became despondent. Anyway, seeing this site has reignited my interest & I can’t wait to get back on track.
So excited to find your blog…! I have recently started the 5:2 regime and to see some of your delicious recipes has helped increase my motivation enormously!!! Thanks so much. Annette
Oh I just found this. Wow! What a treasure trove of 5:2 recipes to make life so much easier. Thank you. You will be helping a lot of people with this. I will pass on the link for my tribe.
Thanks Elke. My stats are booming tonight. I was just thinking that with spring just around the corner I should probably embark on 5:2 again – and perhaps post some new recipes. 🥗