turquoise1430, on 5:2 we are each free to follow our own food preferences and own ideas about what constitutes healthy eating. There are people who eat low-fat, there are vegetarians, there are people who avoid refined foods or starchy foods or sugary foods, and people who avoid nothing in particular, all doing 5:2 for weight loss or health benefits. It can be combined with whatever approach works for you. Both low carb eating and intermittent fasting help to control blood sugar and insulin levels, so you might not need to do both, the only way to find out is to try IF with and without low-carb eating and see how your own body responds to each situation.