The Fast 800 Recipe Book: Low-carb, Mediterranean style recipes for intermittent fasting and long-term health (The Fast 800 Series)

I have been following this eating plan since I received the recipe book, and have already lost 5 1/4 lbs in five days! Prior to this I was following the Slimming World plan, and found I really struggled to lose weight, despite sticking to it 100%. After reading the Fast 800 book, and the book by Dr Michael Mosley 'Lower Your Blood Sugar', I fully understand why the weight wouldn't come off, and how much the SW plan was actually bad for me personally. The reason I wanted to eat better was that I had a stroke last year. have Type 2 diabetes, and am 4 stones overweight. The Fast 800 Recipe Book is absolutely brilliant, particularly the recipes. It doesn't take long to make the meals I've had so far, and they are so extremely tasty, and easy to make. The other advantage is that the meals are not expensive to make, and the ingredients were readily available in my local supermarket. It is the best money I have ever spent, and can highly recommend it.

I've never ever been able to stick at a diet due to my appalling discipline and a lack of ideas on what I could eat (I'm an extremely fussy eater with a terrifyingly extreme sweet tooth). However, the meals in this book are exceptional and as a result I managed to stick at this one for a good 4 or 5 weeks, and then broadly stick to it in the 5:2 regime for another 7. The end result was that I lost 21.7kg / 48lbs / 3st 6lbs (depending on your weight format preference) in the 83 days between getting the book and writing this review. So, it worked for me. Possibly saved my life, in fact. It may not work for you and I know that some people should absolutely not try this diet for health reasons as it is a little "shock and awe" in terms of how hard it is at times. But for those that are wavering over whether to give it a go, here's a bit of advice - I found that once you get over the shocking hump (low energy, hunger etc) after a couple of weeks it's fairly easy thereafter, so do stick at it - It also helps if you properly count calories via a smart watch or app as it gives you objectives to hit - Get most of the cupboard essentials that it recommends in the back of the book. Absolutely invaluable. - Plan and shop for your full week of meals in advance. Know what you're having each day and have the ingredients in the house already. That a) gives you something to look forward to and b) removes the risk of panic-buying a microwave meal or takeaway or something else unhealthy if you feel you're in a rush or can't be bothered to cook. - The meals can take a little while to prep so make sure you give yourself the time to do it, but I really enjoyed learning new recipes and techniques, so I included this as part of the positive experience. - Fill yourself up on green veg with every meal. The portion sizes are obviously small but you really can load up with the "free" extras. It's healthy and it stops you being hungry - I've found that uncooked spinach (which I've never really liked before now) goes with most of the meals, for example. As I said above, this was all made possible due to the quality of the recipes in this book - the tikka masala and all of the fish dishes in particular are genuinely and rather surprisingly outstanding - as they gave me something to look forward to rather than some pathetic, boring salad that would have got very dull after a day or two and helped me maintain the discipline that you have to have to get through the first few weeks (I didn't repeat a single recipe from the book in those first 21 days). So, I hope other people have as much joy as I did with this book. It was a genuine, transformative, life changing experience. Good luck.

This book is all you need to lose weight in a simple and managed way. We use this as a framework and guide and follow the principles of the way of eating. I have lost nearly 2 stone in 5 months and my husband a stone. Yes you need to be organised and yes you need some will power. But the book is easy to follow and explains everything you need to know. If highly recommend.

I've only tried a few recipes so far (hence the 4 star rating) but I have been impressed. The recipes don't have too many outlandish ingredients (salad, chicken, bacon, avocado, tinned sweetcorn, eggs, mushrooms etc) so I haven't mortgaged my house to buy things I might not like. Although some portions are very small (speaking as someone who loves to eat lots of food) but you can always add a huge salad to bulk it out. Recipes are quick to make (okay I did a chicken, bacon and avocado salad last night and a salmon and chive omelette for brunch today) with minimal washing up, unlike some recipe books which require you to use about six bowls and three pans! I've definitely found drinking 2 litres of water a day helps to stave off the hunger pangs and eating earlier in the evening has left me feeling less bloated at night. Very early days yet but there is a Prawn Nasi Goreng and a Beef Rendang recipe I've got my eye on for the weekend.

I wanted to wait and see if this would help me to lose weight as I am a bit rubbish when it comes to willpower and I am a little fussy with what I can eat. I started on 6th June but it took a couple of weeks for me to properly start as I had to use up the food in the house that I already had. It's now 24th July and I have lost 10lbs which, for me, is pretty impressive. I also like a lot of the recipes as they are quick to make so lunches are easier to prepare when I have an hour to make it and eat it with time left to relax. The most important thing is that this teaches you where the calories come from and I feel like it's changed my lifestyle forever. I was worried the portions would leave me really hungry between meals but it's actually fine and if I need a bridge I just have a cup of coffee or herbal tea. I seriously recommend this book, I've been telling all of my friends about it. It also saves you a small fortune on your grocery shop! For the rare times I don't feel like cooking I just have a slimfast shake so it's still on the diet theme. Eat your dinner early-ish and get that ketosis in motion overnight while you sleep. If I feel peckish after dinner I just chew some gum, it works a treat. If you're serious about losing weight and often struggle please do try this book. I was, I did and now I feel like a different person.

Does what is required

I absolutely love this book, i have it out in the kitchen and i’m browsing it all the time. It’s become my ‘bible’. I am in no way a cook, i’m a Mom with grown up kids that now has time to cook for myself without accommodating a houseful. (My grown up kids, girlfriends etc and gym enthusiast husband, all like to do their own food) Usually i can’t be bothered with recipes as too many ingredients puts me off. Apart from some store cupboard items that i needed to get going, all the other items are fresh ingredients and readily available. You will need digital scales, proper measuring spoons to make sure the quantities are right. Most recipes are for two, just halve the ingredients or some meals can be frozen for another day. I’m not a big fan of red meat so the fish, chicken, food on the move and salads are perfect for me. I cook the casserole’s and roasts at the weekend for everyone. Absolutely brilliant book. After one week i’ve had comments on how well i look and shifted 5 lbs week one. I’m not particularly overweight but like everyone during lockdown gained a little weight, which i don’t like. I’ve tried all sorts of low carb diets and i’m quite controlled in the main, but usually get bored as i can’t think of things to eat. This book has solved the problem, the recipes are easy, quick, and taste fabulous. I honestly don’t feel like i’m missing out. There’s even a ‘speedy pizza’ which i feel like i’m having a real treat. Get the book and follow it to the letter. Can’t recommend it enough. 10 out of 10

Book contains exactly what I was looking for. Service from Amazon was spot on and delivered exactly as they said the item would.

This book is easy to use with every day ingredients and the recipes turn out exactly as pictured. Delicious!

Great recipes!

Some great recipes that are not hard to make. Haven’t made any yet but am really looking forward to making a lot of them

Prima quality!

Fantastic, great variety of very delectable recipes. Very quick and easy to make.