The idiot-proof diet is all about calorie shifting. That is, in this diet, you shift your food intake throughout the day instead of eating just 3 meals a day. The diet is popular because it’s actually very easy to follow and there are hardly any restrictions when it comes to the types of food you can eat.

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The Idiot-Proof Diet

The idiot-proof diet is all about calorie shifting. That is, in this diet, you shift your food intake throughout the day instead of eating just 3 meals a day. The diet is popular because it’s actually very easy to follow and there are hardly any restrictions when it comes to the types of food you can eat.

The ‘calorie shifting’ model takes place because you eat every two and half hours. The theory is that because your body is consuming calories (energy) constantly throughout the day, it’s always in ‘burning calories’ mode instead of the ‘saving calories’ mode.

When you sign up for the diet, you get access to a diet handbook, an 11-day diet-plan and a diet calculator. You get to pick what foods you like to eat so don’t think that you’ll be tarving in this diet!

NutriSystem

The NutriSystem way of dieting is all about proper meal planning. People love this diet because it takes away the burden of trying to figure out what to eat during their dieting phase. You see, a lot of people actually get confused as to what they can eat when they want to lose weight. That’s not really surprising because there’s so much information out there and for every yay sayer, there is a nay sayer so it’s really tough to know what to eat.

However, with NurtiSystem, they do all the meal planning and portion controlling for you. You just need to sign up to any of their diet programs (e.g., Women’s Program, Men’s Program, Vegetarian Program, etc.) and order a multi-day (usually for 28 days) diet program.

After you choose your diet program, a menu is presented to you and you simply choose what you want to eat. The meals are then delivered to your doorstep at various intervals during your diet program.

The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is popular because the name alone conjures bikini-clad bodies! Add to that the fact that it was founded by a cardiologist, Dr. Arthur Agatston, then you have a sort of ‘doctor recommended, doctor approved’ seal on the diet as well.

At first glance, the South Beach Diet looks a lot like the Atkins Diet in the sense that it restricts carbohydrates during the initial phase of the program (there are 3 phases). The first phase (14 days) encourages ‘normal eating’ in the sense that you can pretty much eat whatever you want but you must NOT eat bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, or baked goods. Fruit is also not allowed. No sugar. No alcohol.

The second phase allows you to SLOWLY introduce these items back into your diet but at lesser levels that you consumed them before of course. The third phase is more about general maintenance.

Weight Watchers

Probably one of the longest running diet programs out there is Weight Watchers. It believes in the overall approach where food, exercise, behavior and support are addressed.

Weight Watchers is known for advocating a point system for foods. Using this system, one calculates the calorie intake of the foods he or she eats. The number of points you can have in a day varies depending on your weight. The beauty of the program is that there are no gut-wrenching food restrictions so you never feel deprived of anything. However, the point system teaches you how to balance your meals so that even if you indulge on one food item, you don’t go overboard and consume too much in a day.

Cheat, Weak, and Tiny -I hear these words uttered mindlessly all the time. It might seem insignificant but behind these words are excuses that sabotage weight loss success. Please don’t misunderstand me; any long-term successful weight loss plan needs “wiggle room” which is not cheating-it is necessary for success. It should be part of your plan and include time off from exercise and one or two meals that might help you to feel in control and satisfied to return to the basic plan. What I am stating is bringing your attention to how we create and condone excuses that defeat successful weight loss.

Cheat: what does that mean to you? We are a society where naughty little digressions are not frowned upon but often applauded and elevated to emulate that person If we can take a step back and think about what cheating represents in terms of nutrition maybe some actions will finally change and positive behaviors and successes will result. The difference is being in control. Setting up the right way to indulge a craving for simple carbohydrates like pasta or a chocolate brownie. Within reason by returning to the basic plan that meal will not have a harmful effect on weight loss. What is important to realize is the scientific knowledge that simple carbohydrates create a craving for more of the same and that will have a negative effect on your weight loss.

Weak: this is spoken in the context of being stressed and unprepared. If you believe you are weak then you are giving yourself permission to fail. The strategy of keeping a food journal prevents weak moments. Taking ten minutes to reinforce what you should be eating and drinking is your best defense against weak moments.

Tiny: my first response is “are you talking about a handful, a tablespoon, 1 ounce”? My intention is to enlighten and educate about portions. There is a lot to learn about servings and portions. For example a portion of fruit can be one cup of berries, or four ounces of fruit salad, but depending on your customized food plan your daily requirement of fruit might be anywhere between two to four servings per day.

The basics of a long-term successful weight loss plan are learning what amounts of nutrition, exercise and hydration your body needs for energy. Calories in =calories out; basically a customized scientific formula which then addresses genetics, any medications or medical conditions you might have.

I hope that now it is easier to be aware and connect those words often used as the excuse for not staying with your plan. In my experience being motivated to lose weight is a commendable and difficult endeavor. Unrealistic expectations have negative effects on long-term weight loss. If you adhere to your plan you can expect to lose two pounds per week with the goal of 10% weight loss within six months. Realistic expectations are an important facet of weight loss success. Patience and persistence are required.

So what am I saying? As human beings we lead stressful lives and at times might be exposed to difficult situations which complicate staying on our plan. It is not always possible to have the right food available, to do the required amount of physical activity and drink the necessary amount of water.

My best advice is always try to be prepared but be aware of the circumstances you find yourself in and do the best you can. This is temporary.Knowing that the situation is temporary and the opportunity to return to plan is around the corner so to speak should reinforce positive self talk. Please think twice before you give yourself excuses.

What is a bland diet? It is a diet specially set to treat certain gastrointestinal or stomach problems such as heartburns, ulcers and gas.

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An answer to a question, what is a bland diet, is that it is a simple treatment for people suffering from any one or more gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic gastritis, ulcer, esophagitis and dyspepsia.

Bland diet is a dietary regimen for people suffering from stomach disorders. Hence, it is quite understood that ingredients of a bland diet are soft food items, which are easy to digest with a capacity to keep the acidity to low levels. Questions about diet may be asked to your physicians and he/she can suggest the diet or recommend a dietician to do it.

Diet medical questions may include the queries about the food stuffs to eat and food stuffs to avoid during the time while a person experien ces any gastrointestinal disorders. However, before a dietician could decide the bland diet for a person, he/she needs to seek answers to several medical questions related to the person such as any food allergies or irritations associated with any food items and emotions medical questions of people.

Bland Diet:

The diet prescribed as a bland diet will include food items that are easy to digest and low in fiber and acid contents. Even giving up alcohol and smoking is advised while patient is on bland diet. Also a patient is advised to have 4 to 6 light meals after regular interval to avoid heavy and large meals.

Chewing food properly and eating slowly helps in the digestion of the food. Adequate sleep, avoiding smoking and controlling anxiety are supportive treatments for the standard treatment of the problem.

Allowed Food Items:

• Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, yogurt with low-fats and other dairy products are easily digested and hence, can be included as a part of bland diet. However, there is no restriction on ice-creams and one may consume even ice creams during bland diet, but it should not have any product such as nuts that are not allowed in bland diet.

• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh vegetables and fruits are allowed to a bland dieter. However, while carrot, squash, green peas are good to eat in a bland diet, broccoli, onions and green peeper should be avoided as it forms gas. In fruits, oranges, grapefruits, and bananas are allowed.

• Proteins
Protein requirement of the body, while on a bland diet should be met with soy products and meat. Fried chicken and greasy hamburgers are not allowed to be consumed, while grilled and baked chicken is allowed.
Low-fat peanut butter and eggs are also efficient to meet the body’s protein requirement in a bland diet.

• Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are contained in whole grain breads, pasta, oatmeal, corn flakes, white rice and sweet potatoes. All these food items are allowed.

Bland diet is designed for treating certain medical circumstances such as gastrointestinal problems. Hence, to answer what is a bland diet, we can say that this is a diet that aims at improving the digestion with the help of a timed-routine diet and soft to digest food items. Once the problem is controlled patients can return to their normal diet.