Who is The Fast 800 suitable for?

The Fast 800 is a diet and lifestyle programme based on the principles of intermittent fasting and a Mediterranean-style diet. It is designed to support good metabolic health, resulting in weight loss where needed, stable blood sugars and improved overall health markers. 

The Fast 800 can help people who want to:

• lose a large amount of weight and improve metabolic health;
• gradually lose weight and keep it off long-term; or
• maintain their healthy weight long-term.

The Fast 800 has three approaches of varying intensities, but all involve eating a Mediterranean-style diet, which is low in carbohydrates, but high in protein, fibre and healthy fats: 

The Very Fast 800: a rapid weight loss approach which involves reducing your calorie intake to about 800 calories per day. This approach can be followed for up to 12 weeks, or until you achieve a healthy weight (in accordance with the NHS BMI), whichever comes first. 

The Fast 800 Keto: a rapid weight loss approach which involves reducing your calorie intake to around 800-1000 calories per day and keeping your carbohydrate intake below 50g per day. This approach can be followed for up to 12 weeks, or until you achieve a healthy weight (in accordance with the NHS BMI), whichever comes first. 

The New 5:2: a more gradual weight loss approach which involves enjoying a Mediterranean-style diet, with no calorie restriction but reasonable portion control five days a week, and following an 800-calorie meal plan for two days a week. 

The Way of Life: a weight maintenance approach which involves enjoying a Mediterranean-style diet every day, with no calorie restriction but practising reasonable portion control with three meals a day.

It is always recommended to seek advice from a medical professional before starting The Fast 800. The Fast 800 approaches are generally deemed safe and suitable for most people seeking weight loss and health improvement. However, intermittent fasting and/or a low-carbohydrate diet is not suitable for everyone.

Who The Fast 800 is not suitable for

The Fast 800 programme is not recommended for the following:

1. People who are underweight and/or experiencing an eating disorder, or have a history or suspicion of an eating disorder.
2. Children (under 18 years old).
3. Type 1 diabetics.
4. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers or anyone undergoing fertility treatment.
5. People who have a significant psychiatric disorder or substance abuse.
6. People who are under active investigation or treatment, or have a significant medical condition affecting ability to comply with diet.
7. People who have had a recent cardiac event, myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident (<3 months previously) or other heart abnormalities.
8. People who have had uncontrolled heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or kidney failure.
9. People who are feeling unwell, have a fever, are frail or recovering from significant surgery (<6 months ago).
10. People who are on insulin. This is to avoid a potentially dangerous drop in blood sugar (hypo).
11. People who are on ‘flozin’ medication (known as SGLT2 inhibitors, taken to reduce blood sugars, such as Dapaglifozin of Canagliflozin). This is to avoid the rare complication and potentially dangerous condition called euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), where despite having normal or only mildly raised ketones the medication can mask a serious complication of diabetes requiring urgent attention.

Discuss with a medical professional before commencing The Fast 800 if any of the following apply:

1.  You have a significant underlying medical condition
2. If you have type 2 diabetes and are on medication. It may need to be reduced or stopped as blood sugars improve and to avoid hypos.
3. If you are on certain diabetic medication and have ‘hypoglycaemia unawareness’ (you cannot tell if you have a ‘hypo’ when your sugar level drops).
4. If you are on blood pressure medication, this may need to be reduced or stopped as blood pressure improves.
5. Those with a psychiatric history 
6. If you are taking other medications, e.g. Warfarin.
7. If you have moderate or severe retinopathy you will need extra screening within 6 months (as retinopathy can sometimes get worse when blood sugar improves) (h) People with epilepsy (though there is some evidence that diet can improve epilepsy)

You can read more in our medical disclaimer and if you are unsure, please speak to your usual healthcare professional for advice before starting any weight loss or diet programme.