500 or 800 calories

This topic contains 2 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by LJoyce 1 year, 9 months ago.

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bexp

1:09 pm
11 Jul 22
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Hi all, new to this so have been doing a bit of research but have got a bit confused as to whether I should be doing the new, revised 800 calorie in take on fast days or stick to the original 500?

Thanks!

Cherryj

10:03 am
15 Jul 22
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Hi, just joined too!
Started the beginning of the week and I’m confused too. I was waiting for the book to arrive(the fast diet5:2) & did 800 cal fast Tuesday, as per Google research…Yesterday I did a 500 fast as per the book??
Not sure what to do next as book was published 2014- is it old data….Does anyone know??

LJoyce

10:51 am
15 Jul 22
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Hi Cherryj and Bexp – welcome

The more recent research that Dr MM reviewed showed that you can get a fasting benefit from 800 calories and you don’t need to do the stricter 500/600 that he recommended some years earlier in his first book. However, in the end the decision is still yours.

If I’m only doing 2 FDs per week I still do 500 calories – for me the reason is my TDEE which is 1600cals if I exercise daily and just 1350 if I don’t. If I cut back to 800calories on just 2 days a week my rate of weight will be pretty pathetic. For someone with a high TDEE, I think you have more freedom to choose 800 cals and can still achieve a credible weight loss. Remember that you need a calorie deficit of 7,700 calories to lose 1 kg of body fat (and I am talking about body fat not body weight, which can be impacted many other things).
However, I will also mention that I do choose to do 800cal days if I’m doing more than 2 FDs in a week.