Overview Of The 5:2 Diet

Common Mistakes Made

One of the most common intermittent fasting mistakes, including on the 5:2 diet, is starting too fast. Individuals who are new to intermittent fasting should not attempt to do a twenty-four-hour fast right away. Instead, individuals should gradually transition themselves onto the 5:2 diet. This can look different depending on the individual. However, it does mean starting with shorter fasts first, such as fasting for sixteen hours and eating for eight. Starting the 5:2 diet too quickly increases the risk of individuals failing and abandoning the diet completely.

Another common mistake is eating only three large meals on non-fasting days. Individuals should space out their meals to keep their energy steady. In addition, some individuals make the mistake of eating their limited calories all at once on fasting days. This is also a significant issue, as it is even more important to space out the energy from their food on fasting days than non-fasting ones. Individuals on the 5:2 diet often also forget to drink enough water. Although they are limited in the food they can eat, water is not included. In fact, it is vital to drink lots of water on this diet, as well as other intermittent fasting approaches. Finally, some patients fail to listen to their body on this diet. Although it is effective, it is not suitable for everyone. Patients should talk to their doctor about any negative effects they feel.