Safely Transitioning Off Meal Replacement PlansWritten by Protica Research
Meal replacements have been part of diet landscape for decades. They have helped numerous people lose weight, and more importantly, they have helped people learn difference between healthy and unhealthy eating choices. Both quantity and quality of life improvements can be credited to concept of meal replacement solutions. Those that have successfully relied upon a meal replacement plan can reflect fondly on how plan helped address a fundamental diet obstacle: choosing what to eat. One of greatest challenges that a dieter faces – if not greatest – is discovering what to eat, and what to avoid. Answering latter is usually easier, since most experienced dieters are rather well aware of what they should not be eating. Yet they are often left wondering: what should I eat? Dieters who are fortunate enough to be able to answer this with a simple: I’ll eat my meal replacement foods often see their diets succeed beyond its vulnerable infancy [i]. Dieters who rely on willpower alone, or follow a poorly designed “fad” diet, often do not lose weight. The most that these dieters usually experience is maintenance of current weight, or perhaps a few pounds lost, likely through water loss. As with most weight loss solutions, there are some potential pitfalls that can undermine dieters. And perhaps most ironic of these pitfalls exists for those dieters who have chosen a meal replacement route to achieve their weight loss goals. This difficulty is explained, and solved, below. Diets supported by meal replacement plans are often successful; and herein exists potential problem. Once a dieter has lost his or her desired weight, there is a transition period from meal replacement food to “normal” food. Without proper nutritional supplements in place to ensure that this transition is both smooth and long-term, a high number of dieters revert back to their pre-diet unhealthy eating habits. The result, regrettably, is regaining of weight; and for many dieters, yet one more failed attempt to shed pounds and inches [ii]. The blame for this regained weight is typically, and incorrectly, assigned to two sources. The first target for this misplaced blame is meal replacement plan itself, which promised long-term weight loss yet apparently failed to deliver. The second misplaced blame, and one that can do most damage, is directed towards dieter him/herself. It is just “another failure”, and a crushing blow to self-esteem. However, as noted above, this blame is misdirected. The cause of problem is neither meal replacement plan, nor dieter’s lack of willpower. The culprit here was that once meal replacement plan had done its job, there was no strategy in place to maintain that accomplishment over long term.
| | The Zone Diet ExplainedWritten by Helen Laxton
Developed by Barry Sears PhD, 'Zone Diet' is latest in a long line of attempts to get a fresh angle on weightloss, and is currently among 5 most popular diets in States, partly because dieters report losing up to 5 pounds in first week, and up to 1.5 pounds each week thereafter. Dr Sears main thrust is that food is 'medecine' for body, and not just 'fuel'. He proposes an "ideal" ratio of carbohydrates, proteins and fats - namely 40% carbs to 30% protein and 30% fat, which is supposed to keep body within a healthy 'zone' determined by hormones. Slightly complicating matters is concept that some carbs are good, and some are bad. Refined Carbohydrates such as pasta, potatoes and bread are bad, and need to be strictly controlled.Dr Sears believes human body's digestive system works best by eating only 2 main food groups, namely Lean protein and natural carbohydrates (from fruits and fiberous vegetables). The good Doctor also advises disciples to eat small but regular meals, at least times 5 per day. Added to this are other key parts of diet (there are 4 components in all) - diet itself, use of monounsaturated fats, Omega-3 fish oil dietary supplements and of course exercise. This combination is said to burn excess body fat while increasing energy. Adherents report increased vitality not to mention improved mental abilities and fewer health problems. To follow Zone Diet, you create 'zone meals' or snacks based on 40% 30% 30% ratio of carbs, proteins, and fats. In terms of portion size, use your own hand as a guideline (for example, a protein portion will be approximately size and thickness of your palm). As for carbs, it depends on whether they are good or bad carbs. You can have 2 "big, loose fists" of good carbs, but only 1 "tight fist" if you prefer a bad carbohydrate like pasta, potatoes or bread.
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