Appetite suppressants?

This topic contains 7 replies, has 8 voices, and was last updated by kospakosma 7 years, 4 months ago.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

wanderlust2014

7:31 pm
2 Jul 14
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Hi everyone, I’m new to all of this, but wanted some advice on using appetite suppressants on fast days. Earlier in the week I had a scheduled fast day, and also a concert to perform in the evening, and I didn’t want to feel flakey and hungry when performing (which I had felt on previous fast days – maybe its just my body getting used to it?) In any case, for the first time ever I purchased appetite suppressants from the supermarket. The main ingredient is guar gum and it also has oat seed husk, pectin, and psyllium husk power. I have to say that taking these made a huge difference – I didn’t feel hungry at all. But I’m wondering if I’m defeating the purpose of fasting if my body doesn’t actually feel hungry. Thoughts and advice very much appreciated 🙂

dlroseberry

8:53 pm
2 Jul 14
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I think you’ll get two types of answer to this. The “puritanical” view is that suffering on fast day is part of “stressing” the body by fasting and therefore necessary. And, even though your stuff sounds fairly benign and without drugs, it’s still a concoction. This view also opposes use of sucralose, stevia etc. The “pragmatic” view is that anything that works is ok because the goal is calorie restriction on fast days, while suffering may be unavoidable, but not necessary for any of the benefits of fasting.

I’m in the latter camp myself, but I admit I could be wrong. And, I would advise that you make sure that this appetite suppressant is without any stimulants of any kind. There are many alkaloid stimulants that are dangerous. And, I will point out that there is always some risk with this kind of stuff, because you don’t really know what’s in it, at least not in the USA.

outrigger999

6:39 pm
1 Oct 14
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I too wonder what wanderlust2014 asked, specifically if anyone thinks the “suffering” part is essential to the fasting effect. Not just around losing weight but all the other benefits that fasting brings.

Has anyone gone lets say 6 months, using appetite suppressants and been successful at losing weight and gaining other benefits? I’d appreciate any specifics you could provide. Thanks.

Dummerchen

8:32 pm
1 Oct 14
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When I read the heading I immediately thought of amphetamines which I do not condone even though they are available on prescription.
The concoction described is mainly fibre and should be harmless in medical terms.

With regards to hunger: a lot of people will deliberately go hungry because it teaches you to distinguish between true hunger and an appetite. Most people in the Western world refer to an appetite or craving when they say hunger, because most of us do not experience hunger any more.
I don’t think that anyone has looked into fibre supplements and its effect on the health benefits of fasting.

outrigger999

9:52 pm
1 Oct 14
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Correct, the appetite suppressants I’m talking about are non-illegal, non-prescription types. If people want to debate the merits of other types, then we should have another discussion thread. The question in this thread is whether fasting depends in some part to the “struggle” of doing it? In order to “trigger” the health benefits and subsequent weight loss, do we need to feel hungry on those fasting days? Just so it’s clear, an example of an appetite suppressant I’m talking about would be Glucomannan as discussed by Dr. Oz and others. Thanks for the comments.

simcoeluv

10:43 pm
1 Oct 14
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Hi outrigger:

Fasting does not depend on a ‘struggle’. After you do 5:2 for awhile, you rarely feel hungry, and if you do it is for a very short time.

But you have to do it for a month or two for your body to become acclimated to its new feeding pattern. Most people that quit do it in the first two months. The current last post in this thread give my longer answer to your question: http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/16-week-goal-anyone-want-to-join-in-and-see-how-far-we-can-get/page/2/#post-55815

Good Luck!

wildflower

11:53 am
5 Nov 14
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In the beginning, I used fiber/green tea appetite suppressants. I don’t know if I could have adjusted without. I still lost weight. After a few weeks, I rarely need their help.

kilda

2:07 pm
13 Nov 14
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I read somewhere that almonds have natural appetite suppressing effects. Occasionaly If I’m having a hard time on a fast day, I eat about 10 raw almonds on the theory it might help. Comes out to 50 cal, which I count toward my 500.

But I think the main reason that 5:2 works for me, and has radically shifted my reaction to food and decreased my appetite, is that 2 days a week I experience being hungry and have learned that it’s just not that big a deal. It’s not about suffering – because as simcoeluv says, your body adjusts to it and you don’t suffer. It’s about learning to react to being hungry in a different way, learning that it passes quickly and is not that bad. I think embracing the hungry days, not fighting them, is key to making this way of eating work for the long term and probably is the difference between those who stick with it and those who don’t.

kospakosma

11:08 pm
17 Dec 14
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Hi everyone: I just started 5:2 FD, 2 days ago! I am a vegetarian (90%) and although I eat a lot of vegis and make vegetarian meals with proteins such as dhal, coconut (milk, desicated coconut etc.) they all as you would all know equal amount if not more carbs. So I tend to use protein bars/powders as a supplement mainly to increase my protein intake & restrict/avoid too much carbs.

By the way I use cinnamon,fennel and cummin with a pinch of salt to make tea, it really freshens me on FD days, also acts as appetite suppressants. I love the sweetness of cinnamon!

My question is to the most experienced with 5:2 FD is: Is it ok to supplement meals with protein bars/shakes? Also, is it ok to have 1/2 glasses of diet drink? Thank you