A simple diet for weight loss is what most people need. The plan should be easy, nutritionally balanced and effective at forcing the body to convert excess body fat to energy. Below is a simple plan for weight loss based on 6 small meals per day to keep your metabolism properly elevated. This diet may be carefully adjusted for variety so that boredom doesn't trigger a binge on unhealthy foods.
* Breakfast
1 portion of lean protein.
This may be 4 to 6 scrambled egg whites or 1 serving of low fat or fat free dairy such as milk,cottage cheese, yogurt or cheese cubes, or 4 ounces of lean meat such as chicken or turkey breast. Vegetarians and vegans may substitute a serving of high protein soy products.
1 portion of fruit OR 1 portion of complex carbohydrates.
This may be any kind of medium sized piece of fresh fruit. Other carbohydrate options may also be 1 serving of brown rice, oatmeal, or high fiber, whole grain cereal. Portions size is generally limited to one-half to one cup. Always read labels for serving sizes. (No hash browns or French fries please.)
Unlimited amounts of non-starchy vegetables.
Vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms and all greens may be eaten freely throughout the day. Vinegar or fat free dressing may be used to enhance taste.
* Mid-morning snack
1 medium sized piece of fresh fruit.
One ounce of raw nuts. (One ounce is about one-fourth cup.) Walnuts, pumpkin seeds and almonds pack the most nutritional punch. One or two tablespoons of natural peanut butter may be substituted occasionally for variety, but do not purchase commercial peanut butters due to the unhealthy hydrogenated oil content.
* Lunch
1 portion of lean protein.
This could be 1 serving of low fat or fat free dairy such as cottage cheese, yogurt or cheese cubes, or 4 ounces of lean meat such as lean cuts of beef, chicken or turkey breast. Rotate your choices often to avoid boredom.
1 medium sized piece of fresh fruit. Do not eat canned fruit due to the high sugar content and low fiber. Fresh fruit is always the best option and frozen fruit without added sugar should the the second option.
1 portion of complex carbohydrates.
Carbohydrate choices for this meal may be one-half to one cup of brown rice or whole grain pasta. Other options could be 1 small to medium sized baked potato or sweet potato. (Hold the butter, sour cream and other fattening goodies! They contain too many calories for our weight loss purposes.)
Non-starchy vegetables may be eaten freely as long as they are not smothered in high fat dressings or sauces.
* Mid-afternoon snack:
1 portion of lean protein.
Any of the protein choices above may be used here.
Any size portion of non-starchy vegetable. Fat free dressings may be used, but limit portion size to 2 servings.
* Dinner
2 portions of lean protein. Any of the above choices would work well.
Unlimited amounts of non-starchy vegetables. Good vegetable choices would be broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or mixed green salads. Season them with herbs, spices, lemon juice or a touch of sea salt. Avoid butter, margarine or creamy sauces since they add a significant amount of calories and little nutritional value.
by Rebecca Welch
Simple Menu For Weight Loss
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Easy Diet with Coffee
The caffeine in coffee does not increase the risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver injury, pancreatic cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer incidence, or certain types of cancers. The truth is coffee actually decreases the risks or has absolutely no effect on these health conditions when coffee consumption is taken in moderation.
These myths have had an impact on the questions and controversy against coffee being benefial or not for healthy living and weight loss. I must point out that anything in excess is bad for you so when people say coffee is unhealthy, I can most of the time point out ten unhealthier things they do instead of drinking coffee.
With so many benefits of coffee for health and weight loss it is hard to be worried about the few disadvantages when moderation can solve it all.
Step 1 Coffee Clean Up
Coffee when consumed straight and by itself it perfect. Having zero calories, zero carbs, and zero fats one can see that it would not hinder weight loss. When adding all that extra sugars, sweeteners, syrups, alcohol and so on just make it a high calorie dessert.
Sticking with regular or straight shots of coffee with limiting extras like milk and sweeteners is necessary for achieving healthy living and weight loss.
Step 2 - Coffee in Moderation
Too much coffee at one time can affect blood sugar levels so the easy fix is reducing your in take at one time. Spacing out your coffee in take throughout the day would be something to consider and would benefit as an appetite suppressant while reducing chances of increasing blood sugar.
Reducing your coffee in take might be a struggle and can possibly cause headaches and constipation but in the end is worth it.
Step 3 Limit Simple Carbs with Coffee
Avoiding or at least limiting simple carbs while drinking coffee would be wise as coffee can affect blood sugar negatively and adding simple carbs will just encourage an insulin spike.
Step 4 - Exercise
Exercise has so many benefits besides burning calories and suppressing your appetite. Exercise can also help regulate your body's use of insulin to keep blood sugar down and making coffee have little affect on your body. So make sure you participate in aerobic activities, lift some weights, and keep drinking that coffee and you should achieve weight loss in no time.
Don't let people tell you coffee is a bad drug and should be avoided at all costs. You know the truth that coffee actually has more benefits than negatives, so enjoy your coffee worry free about hindering for diet and weight loss goals.
By Jared Wash
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Ultimate Weight Solution
The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom by Phil Mcgraw contains easy to do solution for your weight problem. The author believes that you can achieve 80 % success on the weight reduction program by following the book. Ordinary diet program would probably has only 5% success rate.
Key factor to weight loss freedom are:
1. Self-control. Transform any bad think inside your mind into something positive so you can gain more confidence.
2. Emotional-control. Try to understand your problem and solve it immediately because it has strong bond with your eating pattern.
3. External-control. Change your home interior or office room to support your objective.
4. Habit-control. It takes some exercise before you can control your bad habit and turn it into a better one. But once you mastered habit control, you will easily do any weight loss program till the end.
5. Food-control. Reduce your weight without busying yourself with calorie calculator or long food list.
6. Body-control. Small but regular body exercise will surely help your program.
7. Social-control. Try to find supports from your family or friends because they will give you motivation toward the weight loss progam.
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