Complete Blockhead’s Guide to Eating, or, The Simplest Diet EVER!

Yesterday, a blogger by the name of John (obviously a man whose parents’ had good taste) asked me:

Have you tried or have any thought on a weight loss plan that has the same food every day. [1]

The answer is yes. It is a big part of the nutrition program I am working on right now. Here is how it works.

At the beginning of each week I sit down and come up with a list of three to four acceptable meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Each week I change this schedule up. I have found it much easier and less time consuming than the tradition plan each day method. In addition, it allows you some choice throughout the week but still limits your ability to go off track.

However, there are two broad exceptions to this eating plan. Those two exceptions are fruits and veggies. Eat them anytime you want (especially fruits like apples, pears, and oranges). Don’t worry about it, it is really hard to consume enough apples to throw you off your weight loss plan. I often use apples and oranges to keep me going between meals and snacks if I start to feel a bit less energetic or when hunger strikes.

Now to the bulk of this diet for dunderheads (people like me). Below is my nutrition plan for this week:

Breakfast Options: Cheerios (w/ fruit); Peanut Butter and Jelly on two Rice Cakes; Oatmeal (w/ fruit).

Snack Options: Protein Drink; Protein Bar; Tuna (packed in water).

Lunch: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich on 100% Whole Wheat Bread; Deli Meat (fresh) on 100% Whole Wheat Bread (w/ veggies and tomatoes); Bacon and Eggs w/ 100% Whole Wheat Toast.

Dinner: Pita Bread Pizza’s (your choice of toppings, last night I had turkey bacon, red peppers, and asparagus); Grilled Chicken with Brown Rice; Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup.

Three side notes. First, check out Progresso’s choice of soups with less than 100 calories per serving. I recommend their Chicken Noodle Soup, Roasted Chicken, and Minestrone.

Second, when preparing any of the above foods be sure to shop wisely and only buy healthy products. BE CAREFUL! The food industry sneaks high fructose corn syrup and other nasty stuff into stuff as simple as peanut butter and raisins. So when possible buy brands that don’t use these unhealthy additives.

Third, I always keep a fall back. My fall back of choice is Michelina’s Lean Gourmet meals. These are delicious and low in calories (less than 270 in each meal). They are just a fall back though, to be used when the convenience of throwing something into the microwave is essential.

Hope this helps you. I’ve found this kind of weekly plan essential in my own weight loss experience as it limits my potential to make unhealthy choices- since part of my weight problem resulted from binging and giving in to impulse. As you learn to eat healthy you’ll find your need to make a weekly list less necessary. To a much larger extent than you might think your impulses adapt, and you find yourself wanting to snack on fruit, and eat healthy meals.