protocols

What is the 5:2 Intermittent Fasting Diet?

The 5:2 diet means eating normally 5 days a week and restricting calories to 500–600 on 2 days. Here's how it works and whether it's right for you.

2026-05-23

The 5:2 diet is an intermittent fasting protocol where you eat normally for five days of the week and restrict your calorie intake to roughly 500–600 calories on two non-consecutive days. It's a popular entry point into fasting because it doesn't require daily discipline — just two focused days per week. For many people it's easier to start than daily time-restricted eating. The name says it all: five days on, two days restricted. On your five normal days, you eat…

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