Learn how 5:2 intermittent fasting works, what to eat on fasting days, and how to start. Includes a sample meal plan, benefits, and side effect tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories can you eat on 5:2 fasting days?
On fasting days, women eat 500 calories and men eat 600 calories — roughly 25% of a typical daily intake. These can be spread across one or two meals throughout the day.
How much weight can you lose on the 5:2 diet?
Research suggests the 5:2 diet produces 4–8% body weight loss over 8–24 weeks. A 2025 systematic review of 20 studies with 1,393 participants found significant reductions in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference.
Which days should I fast on the 5:2 diet?
Choose any two non-consecutive days each week — for example, Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday. Spacing your fasting days apart gives your body adequate recovery time between restriction periods.
Can you exercise on 5:2 fasting days?
Light to moderate exercise (walking, yoga, stretching) is generally fine on fasting days. Intense training is better scheduled on your eating days, when you have adequate fuel for performance and recovery.
Who should not try the 5:2 diet?
The 5:2 diet is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, adolescents, people with type 1 diabetes, individuals with a history of eating disorders, or anyone on medications that require food intake. Consult a doctor before starting if you have any chronic health condition.