Search for Missing British Journalist Dr. Michael Mosely on Greek Island of Symi: What You Need to Know About the 5:2 Diet

Authorities on the Greek island of Symi are still searching for British journalist and Documentary filmmaker Dr. Michael Mosely, who disappeared earlier this week after going for a walk alone. Dr. Mosely is famous for his 5:2 weight loss diet, which is a part of the intermittent diet plan that involves five days of regular eating and two days of restricting calories.

British journalist, doctor, and writer Dr. Michael Mosely went missing during a long trek in the Greek island of Symi, promoting the authorities to launch a rescue mission for the man who invented the 5:2 diet for weight loss. Sixty-seven-year-old Dr. Mosely was last seen on the CCTV cameras in the town of Pedi, shielding himself from the sun with an umbrella. Pedi is at the end of a cliff path where it was initially feared Dr. Mosley may have fallen.

What is the 5:2 diet for weight loss?

Dr. Mosely is widely known for the 5:2 weight loss diet popularized by him as a part of intermittent fasting – an eating pattern that involves regular fasting. Also known as the Fast Diet, it is called the 5:2 diet because five days of the week are routine eating days, while the other two restrict calories to 500-600 calories per day.

According to experts, this diet is more of a lifestyle since there are no requirements about which foods you can or should eat but rather when you should eat them. People across the world find this way of eating to be easier to stick to than a traditional calorie-restricted diet.

How to follow the 5:2 diet?

For this diet, you must eat normally for five days every week, and not worry about restricting calories. But on the other two days, you need to reduce your calorie intake to a quarter of your daily needs. According to Dr. Mosely’s rulebook, you can choose whichever two days of the week you prefer, if there is at least one non-fasting day in between them. A common way to plan the week is to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, with two or three small meals, then eat normally for the rest of the week.

However, it is important to note that eating too much junk or processed food will not help in weight loss and can do the opposite.

What to eat on fasting days?

According to Dr. Mosely, there are no strict rules for what to eat on the days you are fasting. However, there are a few meal patterns that you can follow:

• Usually breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Two slightly bigger meals

Nutritionists advise focusing more on highly nutritious, high fibre and protein foods that will make you feel full without consuming too many calories. Some examples of foods that may be suitable for fast days include grilled vegetables, natural yogurt with berries, boiled or baked eggs, grilled fish or lean meat, soups, black coffee, tea, and water.

Who should avoid the 5:2 diet?

Even though intermittent fasting is safe, it may not be for everyone. According to experts, some people should avoid dietary restrictions and fasting completely, including those with a history of eating disorders, those who experience a drop or spike in their blood sugar levels, women who are pregnant or nursing, children younger than 18 years of age, and those who are malnourished or underweight.