Review: An introduction to the 5:2 fasting diet
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 27, 2013
In the last few months, I've read several books about proposed diets that promoted weight loss or healthier living, or both. Most of them made compelling cases for the particular diet, making it difficult to know which diets were really sound. Recently I began hearing about a "5:2 fasting diet." When I searched Amazon for books on the subject, I got more than 1,500 hits. Since I had read a couple of author Ravi Kishore's books on nutrition, I decided to try his book: The 5:2 Fast Diet Book For Beginners.The book begins with an explanation of the 5:2 fast diet, which involves reducing caloric intake for two days a week and normal eating the other five days. The idea originated and became popular in the UK, then spread to Europe and the US. It's a form of intermittent fasting that is claimed to promote weight loss and to have a number of health benefits. Adherents also say that the 5:2 fast helps to break their craving for food. The author briefly explains the science behind the 5:2 fast and why it works to aid in weight loss and provide health benefits. He also notes that the plan is not for everyone, and lists certain conditions that could preclude trying the diet.Fasting does not have to be on consecutive days, they can be any two days during the week. An FAQ answers this and other questions that prospective users might ask. The 5:2 fast has been associated with several adverse side effects, and the author mentions ways to mitigate these if they occur. There's a list of recommended low-calorie foods to consider for fasting days, as well as some to avoid. The book includes recipes and sample meal plans for fasting days.The 5:2 Fast Diet Book For Beginners is a nice introduction to the 5:2 fasting diet for anyone who's curious about the plan. The author makes a credible case for the alleged benefits of such a regimen and provides enough information for anyone interested in the plan to get started.