Eat, fast and live longer - the 5:2 lifestyle

[Cuilidh]

At only 180 calories per serve, you can easily play with this recipe.

I don't have a slow cooker, unfortunately, so it would be canned chick peas and stove top for me for this recipe.

[ElleG]

The original recipe suggests if using canned chickpeas add them towards the end of cooking time. Stovetop would be fine - I just wanted to play with the little slow cooker 

[cookie1]

Yes 180 calories is a lovely low amount for a main meal.

[droverjess]

I have lost 6lbs and DH more by cutting out processed sugar and eating a lot more salad and veg.
These recipes look good as some of the ones on the anti cancer thread.
No frying though, have learnt to sauté in stock in the wok.
We had fresh purple sprouting broccoli from the garden tonight, delicious, leek for tomorrow still in the ground. Fresh and tasty!
For mash we mix several veg - carrot, squash, swede, turnip and potato.
Each time is different and tasty.

DH bought a cookie to share when we were out this morning, we both found it too sweet. Result!

[judydawn]

Great loss DJ, you must be doing the right thing.

[Cuilidh]

Well done, DJ.  You must be really chuffed.

[droverjess]

Yes I am, getting used to different ways of cooking, takes longer.
Had a piece of cake today. From freezer. A boost for all the gardening. 
We eat much less sugar, almost none in regular meals.
Lots of fruit.
Home made muesli, no sugar.

I do miss some things ( like chookies lemon Belgium teacake) and we will have them in treats in due course. But this is not yet a complete habit so we keep going for now.

Have learnt how to sprout seeds for salads.
Good luck everyone.

[cookie1]

Congratulations DJ, that is fantastic. It's hard work but ever so sensible.

[Bedlam]

Well done DJ, i am surprised you would need to lose anything with all that hard work. Certainly sounds a healthy way to eat.

[droverjess]

Well bedlam I seem to have reached that certain stage in life where I put weight on.
It was a big shock as I've never had to watch what I eat before, ever!
It is healthy, but costs a bit more unfortunately. We need to grow more veggies 

[achookwoman]

DJ ,  you are doing very well.  Stick with it.
I have been off the 5.2 for about a month.  The interesting thing is that I didn't regain any weight.  I think the 5.2 made me more aware of portions.  Today I start again. First day the hardest.

[Cuilidh]

Well done, DJ and Chookie.  I, too, find that I am now more aware of portion (and calorie) size ... except this week, and probably next week as well, unfortunately.

I blew my diet days this week, but very encouraged overall .... last time I weighed myself I had lost 5 kg and 1 1/2" off my waist, but I expect that to bounce up and down and just slowly drop over a period of time.  Any planned loss of any sort is absolutely fine by me.

[droverjess]

Thanks so much
Keep it up everyone.

[judydawn]

  Any planned loss of any sort is absolutely fine by me.

I agree Marina, even 1/2 a kg down is better than 1/2 kg up.

[ElleG]

Anyone still plugging away on the 5:2 diet? I have been on and off all year. On at present.  A friend suggested a meal method that I have tried and thought worthwhile passing on.

It is basically cutting up veggies, meat adding all sauces, corn flour etc  for a stir fry then freezing without cooking in individual serves. It makes very low cal meals, depending on what you add, and my meals have been 150 to 190 calories each. I use 300g chicken breast for four serves. I thaw out in the fridge, and usually fry (with a splash of water) about a third at a time of the meal to stop it stewing. When the last third is nearly finished I add the lightly cooked portions and finish off together. First mouthful you realise it's not as crisp as fresh, and after that think its good.

I have 10 portions in the freezer at present. Did a big shop of greens and low cal veggies. Weighed and measured everything, wrote calorie count on the bags and they are good to go. Makes sticking to 5:2 day much easier.