The FastDay Forum

I just noticed that whilst losing over half a stone since starting 5:2 nearly 2 months ago, that I'm also saving lots of £'s as well!

I think there are two things going on in that I'm drawing much less cash out of the hole in the wall and spending less on the weekly M&S food shop...

Anyone else noticed this?

I agree and there have been a number of posts on this forum saying the same. I spend far less on biscuits, cakes, desserts etc because we now have them occasionally, rather than every day. I am also using up any leftover vegetables to make delicious soup, rather than feeding them to the hens or composting them, so that is also an economy. I plan our meals more carefully now, so I am throwing less surplus food away, and purchasing less processed foods, although we are still very partial to our local butchers home-made sausages!

Don't you just love this WOE?!

"Don't you just love this WOE?!"

You bet! The thing is, this isn't just a few quid either, it's like hundreds and hundreds!!

Definitely saved money buying less alcohol.

I've noticed that too last chance.
I've also noticed I've thrown out food too since I started. I hate waste, but haven't quite learned to readjust yet.

I'm waiting for the big supermarkets to work out why their profits have fallen!

I'm waiting for the big supermarkets to work out why their profits have fallen!

Ha! I've already noticed that my fridge isn't emptying so fast; I now need to get into the habit of buying less.

I remember when eating 6 times a day was the weight loss mantra: the Tesco magazine got in on the act with lots of photos of snacks and smaller sized meals they sold or you could make from their ingredients. For some reason I don't think they will be so enthusiastic about the 5:2 WOE!

Course they will.... they'd just try to tempt you with more expensive dishes on your feed days since you've been so good the rest of the time... how about a lovely piece of fillet steak since you only ate £1 of veggies yesterday...

But yes... it does save cash too. My morning latte budget alone and work lunch has disappeared saves me a decent amount.

[carorees]

I'm buying lots more veggies so that must be a good thing!

I haven't thought about how much actual cash saved yet but I'm definitely eating less bread and using up veggies/leftovers in the fridge since startging 5:2 - as well as eating fewer snacks/less 'junk' food......

I'm definitely saving money too. I think once the food industry cottons on to why their profits are falling they'll be quick to capitalise and offer new ranges of low cal meals for fast days (zero noodles anyone? - Just call me an old cynic!)

Speaking personally since starting 5:2 we have moved towards eating more fish and green vegetables and less potato and bread (and probably less red meat too). This is not directly because of 'the fast diet' but following advice here and generally thinking more about our diet. Oh also some of those M&S fuller longer meals where you know exactly how many calories you are getting. All of this tends to be more expensive than 'junk'...

I've noticed, that there seems to be a knock-on effect from the "2" (when the food is cheaper) to the "5" feed days, with eating patterns carrying over. As others have mentioned, fish is featuring a lot more. Also on the "5" days, I've been taking chicken salad to work for lunch and sticking with black coffee, all of which helps. I can't remember when I last had a muffin or (and!) Cornish pasty for lunch! The other big change is alcohol, I just seem to be drinking a lot less, and not wanting it either (which is even better!).

Definitely saving cash, buying and eating a lot more vegetables. Making vegetable soup, eating more eggs, all different ways. Fish is also a favourite, whether fresh or tinned. Salad season started early for me this year, wine intake gone from 3-4 glasses a day to now and again (from the pub, which I now only visit occasionally). Bread, rice and pasta almost non existent. The huge box of chocs I got for mother's day is unopened, under the bed, out of site out of mind. I have also cut down on the amount of milk I have in my coffee and tea, sometimes having it strong or black. The thing is my hubby does the food shopping, so I am actually saving him money.

Yes, to some extent I am saving money:

I am buying less - chocolate (I like the expensive dark stuff!), wine (trying to drink only on Saturday and then not much), crisps, sweets, cake - and I am only having one meal on a fast day.

I am buying the M&S fuller longer meals to eat as my one meal on a fast day to keep up the variety and cos its easy. They aren't that cheap but as its all I eat on those days (bar a bit of veg) I think its ok.

I went out for lunch with a friend yesterday and I wanted to have a dessert and it was a non fast day. However I just did not have room for it after my main course so had to decline, not to be "good" but because I would not have enjoyed it on a full stomach. That is a good result for me and also saved me a little money.