How to make a healthy, fasting day lunchbox - The Fast 800 (2024)

9th April 2024

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Healthy eating does not need to mean spending hours in the kitchen cooking up big dishes to portion out for the whole week. It’s perfectly possible to create a healthy meal with nutritious ingredients that are thrown together in a packed lunch, which will not only taste good, but will keep you full all afternoon. Keep reading to find out how to build a healthy fasting day lunch.

Why should I meal-prep?

Although you might not have time to cook up a big dish, preparing your meals ahead of time is a great way to ensure you stay on track towards your health goals. It can make sure you don’t make impulsive food choices when you’re in a rush and need a quick fix, like when it would otherwise be easy to grab a carb-loaded sandwich or sugary cereal bar at lunchtime. The Fast 800 Programme focuses on recipes that can be easily prepared ahead of time, ready for when you need a convenient, healthy meal on both fasting and non-fasting days for that very reason.

For full recipe ideas and helpful shopping lists to help make your meal prepping easier, sign up for your 7-day free trial of the Programme now.

7-DAY FREE TRIAL

How to make a healthy, fasting day lunchbox - The Fast 800 (7)

What to include in a fasting day lunch

Prioritise protein

Even on fasting days, we recommend you consume 60g of protein every day as it promotes satiety and helps you stay full between meals, so it’s essential to include in a fasting day lunch. If you don’t eat enough protein, you may experience symptoms like hunger, sugar cravings, fatigue and even mood dips in the afternoon.1 2 3 4 Make use of tinned fish like mackerel or tuna, as it’s high in protein and convenient as you need not worry about cooking or refrigerating it. Vegetarian protein sources like eggs, feta or beans can all be super convenient options to add to a fasting day lunch box and can be enjoyed hot or cold on the go.

Play with flavour

Making your food taste delicious will help lead to consistent healthy eating, trust us! Don’t save your herbs and spices for dinner dishes; a tasty fasting day lunch salad can be dressed up with a flavoursome dressing of olive oil, vinegar and mustard, or a homemade hummus. Use lemon juice, herbs and spices generously in a variety of lunch dishes to enhance their flavours and make healthy eating taste as good as it feels! The Fast 800 Programme contains plenty of recipes to give you some inspiration of how to jazz up your lunches with flavour that packs a punch!

Don’t forget fibre

Lunchtime is a great opportunity to get in fibre that will make your gut happy and help you reach the 30g daily target. It helps to protect against type 2 diabetes and digestive disorders so it’s vital to include fibrous foods into your diet every day.5 6 Including one avocado in your fasting day lunch provides a third of your daily recommended intake, and similarly, beans like chickpeas, edamame beans and kidney beans are all great sources of fibre. For the ultimate easy fibre addition to any healthy lunch, simply top your salad, veggies or dish with a handful of nuts or seeds.

Grab a source of healthy fats

Including healthy fats in your fasting day lunch will help your body absorb vitamins A, E, D and K, support gut health and help to keep you full and energised all afternoon.7 The Mediterranean-style diet, which is at the heart of The Fast 800 Programme, is naturally high in healthy fats. Examples of healthy fats we love include olives, boiled eggs, feta cheese, Greek yogurt and olive oil.

Include complex carbs on non-fasting days

All of these tips so far suit both fasting and non-fasting days, but it’s still just as important to focus on healthy lunches on non-fasting days. For a non-fasting day lunch box, adding complex carbs can provide a source of slow release energy for the afternoon. Precooked brown rice, quinoa, wholemeal flat bread or seeded sourdough all make perfect additions to a healthy lunch box on a non-fasting day.

So, use the above as a tick-list when building your next fasting day lunch box to create the ideal midday meal that will keep you full and energised for the rest of your day. For full recipe ideas and helpful shopping lists to help make your meal prepping easier, sign up for your 7-day free trial of the Programme now.

References How to make a healthy, fasting day lunchbox - The Fast 800 (8)

Lejeune MP, Westerterp KR, Adam TC, Luscombe-Marsh ND, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide 1 concentrations, 24-h satiety, and energy and substrate metabolism during a high-protein diet and measured in a respiration chamber. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jan;83(1):89-94. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/83.1.89. PMID: 16400055.

Leidy HJ. Increased dietary protein as a dietary strategy to prevent and/or treat obesity. Mo Med. 2014 Jan-Feb;111(1):54-8. PMID: 24645300; PMCID: PMC6179508.

Neto AWG, Boslooper-Meulenbelt K, Geelink M, van Vliet IMY, Post A, Joustra ML, Knoop H, Berger SP, Navis GJ, Bakker SJL. Protein Intake, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Stable Outpatient Kidney Transplant Recipients. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 14;12(8):2451. doi: 10.3390/nu12082451. PMID: 32824065; PMCID: PMC7469059.

Sheikhi A, Siassi F, Djazayery A, Guilani B, Azadbakht L. Plant and animal protein intake and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress among Iranian women. BMC Public Health. 2023 Jan 24;23(1):161. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15100-4. PMID: 36694166; PMCID: PMC9872399.

Scheppach W, Sommer H, Kirchner T, Paganelli GM, Bartram P, Christl S, Richter F, Dusel G, Kasper H. Effect of butyrate enemas on the colonic mucosa in distal ulcerative colitis. Gastroenterology. 1992 Jul;103(1):51-6. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(92)91094-k. PMID: 1612357.

National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet and Health. Diet and Health: Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1989. 11, Fat-Soluble Vitamins. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218749/

How to make a healthy, fasting day lunchbox - The Fast 800 (2024)

FAQs

How to make a healthy, fasting day lunchbox - The Fast 800? ›

Make use of tinned fish like mackerel or tuna, as it's high in protein and convenient as you need not worry about cooking or refrigerating it. Vegetarian protein sources like eggs, feta or beans can all be super convenient options to add to a fasting day lunch box and can be enjoyed hot or cold on the go.

What can I eat for lunch on Fast 800? ›

Fast 800 Lunch
  • Pimento Cheese with Bacon - Low Carb with Jennifer. ...
  • Low Carb, Keto Friendly Garlic Bread. ...
  • 5 Easy Keto Omelet Recipes - easy low carb omelets for an egg fast! ...
  • Chive Horseradish Keto Cauliflower Mash. ...
  • Roast Red Pepper & Tomato Soup. ...
  • Low calorie lunch ideas: 18 lunches under 200 calories.

How much weight can you lose in 12 weeks on Fast 800? ›

It's important to remember that individual results can vary significantly, and it's always crucial to **consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially one as restrictive as the Fast 800**. * **Studies have shown an average weight loss of 10.5kg (23.1 lbs) after 12 weeks on the Fast 800**.

What is the eating window for fast 800 diet? ›

Most popular timings are 12:12 (fasting for 12 hours, eating within 12 hours), 14:10 (14 hours fasting, 10 hours eating), or 16:8. Most people like to eat three small meals or two larger meals in their eating windows. To learn more about this method head here, or try a two-meal-a-day plan on our Programme.

How many hours should you fast on The Fast 800? ›

Time-restricted eating, or TRE, is very straightforward. You simply ensure that for at least 12 hours within each 24-hour period, you do not consume any calories.

Are bananas ok on Fast 800? ›

The doctor explains that while maintaining a calorie deficit whilst having a balanced diet is vital for shedding pounds, bananas could hinder your goals. The creator of the Fast 800 diet - and book - cautions against too many bananas if you're aiming to lose weight and strongly suggests consuming fruits and vegetables.

How much weight will I lose if I eat 800 calories a day? ›

Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD)

On a VLCD, you may have as few as 800 calories a day and may lose up to 3 to 5 pounds (1.5 to 2 kg) week. Most VLCDs use meal replacements, such as formulas, soups, shakes, and bars instead of regular meals. This helps ensure that you get all of the nutrients you need each day.

Why am I gaining weight on 800 calories a day? ›

Decreased Muscle Mass. Your body composition may be another reason why you are still gaining weight while in a calorie deficit. If you have a higher body fat percentage and lower muscle mass, then you are probably burning fewer calories than if you had more muscle mass.

What is the longest fasting for weight loss? ›

In the 1970s and 1980s, several studies on zero-calorie diets for the treatment of morbid obesity with fasting periods lasting several weeks or even months were published. The longest published fasting reported in 1973 lasted 382 days.

Is The Fast 800 bad for you? ›

In addition, The Fast 800 Diet is not recommended for people who are underweight or have an eating disorder or a history of one, are type 1 diabetics or on insulin, have had a heart condition or are recovering from surgery. The 800kcal restriction is also not appropriate for anyone participating in endurance exercise.

Can you eat eggs on The Fast 800 diet? ›

Try to keep to the recommended 60g or more of protein per day to stay properly nourished and energised. Some high protein, low calorie foods to eat on a fasting day include: chicken breast, eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yoghurt and salmon.

What not to eat on fast 800 diet? ›

Avoid snacking

Try to avoid snacks, especially on fasting days, but if required, have some non-starchy veg, a sliver of cheese or some berries. Alternatively, nuts are a great source of protein, fibre and micronutrients - just avoid salted or sweetened nuts, which can be moreish and easy to overeat.

How do you deal with hunger on fast 800? ›

If you need to tame your appetite, try starting with ensuring you're getting good sleep, eating nutritious foods, and eating mindfully at a steady pace. If you've tried all that and you're still struggling with excessive feelings of hunger, consult your doctor as there may be an underlying issue.

Does fast 800 put you into ketosis? ›

The Very Fast 800 is still a valid approach, and more suitable for those new to low calorie diets, that will definitely kickstart your weight loss journey – it will most likely put you into a state of mild ketosis because you will be running down your sugar supply.

Can you eat potatoes on fast 800? ›

Watch out for foods that get rapidly converted to sugars in your blood, such as: Potatoes, bread, white rice and white pasta.

Why am I not losing weight on 800 calories a day? ›

One of the primary reasons you're not losing weight despite being in a calorie deficit is because your body has adapted to the new caloric intake.

What does Michael Mosley recommend for lunch? ›

“My sandwich recommendation is a lean protein filling like tuna with salad, plain or fizzy water and for the snack opt for something like popcorn or unsalted nuts.” Dr Mosley also spoke of his concern over a different type of lunch - soup.

What snacks can I have on fast 800? ›

Avoid snacking

Snacking spikes your insulin levels between meals and tends to increase hunger. Try to avoid snacks, especially on fasting days, but if required, have some non-starchy veg, a sliver of cheese or some berries.

Is 800 calories enough for lunch? ›

A typical adult woman needs 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day, according to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020. The typical man needs 2,000 to 3,000 calories. For women, this means 533 to 800 calories per meal, if you eat three meals. For a man, this means 667 to 1,000 calories per meal.

References

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