What Is The 5:2 Diet?

How The 5:2 Diet Works

The 5:2 diet is considered a modified form of intermittent fasting. Instead of going without food entirely during the fasting times, the plan allows for the consumption of a limited number of calories within the fasting window. This feature often makes it easier for patients to continue as a long-term lifestyle choice. The program allows the patient to choose which days of the week they can fast, and many appreciate this flexibility. If a last-minute party or dinner invitation arrives, the patient can move their fasting day to another day of the week. Experts suggest beginners on the 5:2 program consider fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. By choosing these days for fasting, the patient can eat normally for two or three days before each fasting day, and this typically makes the fasts easier to complete. The two days of the week the patient chooses to fast should be non-consecutive days, as fasting for more than twenty-four hours at a time is not recommended without medical supervision.

Learn about how eating works on fasting days next.