In a previous article I detailed my experience while doing Prolon (a commercial product for doing the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD)). This month, I was able to do a do-it-yourself version, which I will briefly describe here.
Recap: What is the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD)?
The fasting mimicking diet aims to do just that: mimic a true fast. The hope, is that we may reap the benefits* of a water-only fast while still consuming calories. This is done by limiting total calorie intake and strategizing the type of calories consumed (low protein).
Potential benefits include:
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Decreasing inflammation
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Slowing/inhibiting autoimmunity
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Facilitating detoxification
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Enhancing brain function and cognition (ex. via BDNF)
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Improved metabolism
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Stimulating cell repair
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Facilitating cellular “cleanup” (autophagy)
My experience (DIY versus Prolon):
I was less hungry than while I did Prolon. Also, the DIY FMD felt easier mentally to me. I think both of these are for the same reason: Chewing! I didn’t realize how little chewing you get to do on Prolon until I did one. Prolon consisted of a soft breakfast bar for most breakfasts, soups, soft-ish crackers, and olives… none of which require chewing! In contrast, it was refreshing to maintain normalcy and the habit of chewing while doing the DIY FMD.
Results:
I didn’t track my weight at all this time around, but I believe I lost a pound or two. Some of my clothes seem to fit a little better, and a few friends have recently commented that I “look good” or lost a little weight. While this wasn’t my primary motivation*, I’m not arguing to a few lost pounds 🙂
*The main things motivating me to do the FMD are:
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I want to know how to use this powerful tool so I can make better recommendations to my patients.
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I’m hoping that this tool will help me with my chronic circadian rhythm issues. Namely, I have a great deal of difficulty waking up in the morning (more than the average morning-hater). I’m also a night-owl and sometimes have difficulty falling asleep.
So far, I haven’t noticed any changes in my circadian rhythm, but I remain optimistic 🙂
My Menu:
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Day 1:
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Breakfast: Overnight oatmeal with coconut manna, flax seeds, honey, and collagen protein
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Lunch: Part of a hard boiled egg, baby carrots, jicama, hummus, olives
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Dinner: Macadamia nuts
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Day 2:
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Breakfast: Overnight oatmeal with coconut manna, flax seeds, honey, and collagen protein.
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Lunch: Pickles, hummus, baby carrots, jicama, hummus, olives
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Dinner: N/A
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Day 3:
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Breakfast: Overnight oatmeal with coconut manna, flax seeds, honey, and collagen protein.
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Lunch: Pickles, salad, vinegar, avocado
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Dinner: Strawberries
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Day 4:
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Breakfast: Almond milk, an apple, collagen protein, and pumpkin seed butter
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Lunch: Pickles, salad, vinegar, avocado
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Dinner: Strawberries
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Day 5:
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Breakfast: Overnight oatmeal with pumpkin seed butter, honey, and collagen protein
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Lunch: Baby carrots, hummus, olives
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Dinner: Macadamia nuts
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Note 1: I was trying to do somewhat time-restricted eating on this FMD. This means that I was trying to consume most of my calories in a narrow window (in this case, breakfast and lunch). I chose to do this because I’m hoping that FMD will help my circadian rhythm, and most research seems to agree that we’re best off if we eat our calories in the first half of our day.
Note 2: I saved some extra glycerol drinks from when I did Prolon, and I told myself that if I needed them (hypoglycemic headache) I would use them while doing the DIY FMD. I ended up feeling fine and not using them, though.
Note 3: I was traveling for a seminar for four of the five days I did this. As such, I chose foods that were at least somewhat travel-friendly. Of note, I found that it was much easier to do this “special diet” while away from my family.
Want to learn more about how to do your own DIY FMD? Join our facebook community hereand stay tuned for additional DIY FMD attempts- I plan to do my next one in July.
Wishing you a squeaky clean metabolism,
