Thursday, March 20, 2008

A Medifast diet plan starts with your Kitchen

One of the first places to look when it comes to a healthy diet is the kitchen. Almost 100% of the time we find a plethora of items that are contributing to the added weight and keeping the dieter from their weight loss goal. Starting with the 'snack' cabinet - you know, the place where you keep your potato chips, cookies, snack bars, candies, cereals, and other assorted boxed or bagged consumables - we find that almost every item needs to be thrown out. For a healthy diet and one that will promote weight loss, it is imperative to remove as much processed and high-fructose-corn-syrup filled items as possible. Most people are not aware of just how many items they have that are contributing to the demise of their health and that of their children. Cereals loaded with sugar, potato chips loaded with salt and fat are both major factors that seem to be all too common.

Next to the refrigerator where we find even more high-calorie items. Starting with beverages, most-often we find sugary drinks. It wouldn't be as bad if these were not from concentrate - i.e. orange juice, apple juice, cranberry juice, all made from the source without added sugars. But most of the time that's not what's present. These sugary drinks are calorie-dense liquids that add lots of calories with little effort - that is, there's no calories expended when consuming them, unlike celery that has to be chewed and provides a negative calorie gain because more energy is used to chew celery than the caloric value of the celery itself. So liquid calories are to be avoided if possible. Milk needs to be Organic and skim, or 1% if necessary. Moving down to the fruit and vegetable bins, these most often are not filled with a variety of those, or they contain other items like beer, cheese, and leftovers. Not an example of what a healthy dieter needs to weight loss or to maintain good health.

Here's what a typical refrigerator contains from someone practicing a healthy diet: Organic skim milk, Rice Milk, Skim Soy Milk, a water pitcher (with filter), Famer's 12-grain bread, Organic jelly, Organic peanut butter, Organic caged-free eggs, Orange Juice (not from concentrate), low-fat cheese, fish, chicken-breasts, oranges, grapefruits, apples, pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, mushrooms, onions - yellow and red and green, red-leaf lettuce, cabbage, celery, carrots, spinach, broccoli, tofu, beans.

Get medifast for weight loss, health, a healthy diet, and a diet plan. Medifast is a product that helps you lose weight. There are benefits to using Medifast in your diet, and can be used for weight loss. Phase 1 - 5 & 1 Program for Weight Loss 5 Medifast Meals per Day Over 50 meals to choose from - shakes, bars, drinks, oatmeals, chili, soups, pudding and more. 1 "Lean and Green" Meal per Day Lean Meat: 7 ounces of chicken, turkey of fish, or 5 ounces of lean beef, pork or lamb. Grill, bake or poach meats using non-stick spray. Salt, pepper, herbs and spices may be added if desired. You may also use 1 - 2 teaspoons of condiments such as ketchup, mustard or barbecue sauce. Salad or Vegetables: Either 2 cups of salad greens (any kind) and up to ½ cups raw vegetables, or up to 1 ½ cups cooked vegetables. You may also use 1 - 2 tablespoons of Media low-fat or non-fat dressing.Phase 2 - BeSlim™ Philosophy of Lifelong Weight Control Once you have reached your healthy weight, your Health Advisor will help transition you to the BeSlim™ philosophy of lifelong weight control. The BeSlim™ philosophy is a part of the Take Shape for Life program that incorporates key behaviors mastered by those who lost significant amounts of weight and kept their weight off for years. These key behaviors include: Breakfast (eating Breakfast every day) - High quality fuel, such as our delicious Medifast oatmeal, cappuccino, or chai latte, is essential to start your day the right way. Exercise - Continued exercise increases metabolism, provides strength, flexibility, and mental clarity. Support - Your Health Advisor is here to help you reach and maintain your goals, providing the coaching, tools, education, and caring support you will need along the way. Low-fat meals 5-6 times a day - Eating frequently, controlling portion and total calories, especially those from fat, are critical for success. Individual Plan - Create an individual plan to help you achieve an optimal healthy lifestyle and build the skills and strategies you need to cope with modern life. Monitor your weight - Weigh yourself on a regular basis to maintain optimal weight. Catch it before it becomes a challenge! Join the BeSlim™ Club today and set your life in motion! Introducing the New BeSlim Club & Rewards Program! Optimal Health is its own reward, but how about earning a bonus or two along the way? You’re on a journey to Optimal Health. You’ve made a commitment to lose weight and keep it off! You’ve earned the right to celebrate your success! The new Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is your ticket there. The BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is Take Shape For Life's progressive savings program, offering clients and Health Coaches an easy way to obtain their Medifast Meals at a savings, with exciting rewards you can earn along the way! The longer you are member of the BeSlim™ Club, the more significant your savings are and the more rewards points you’ll earn. When you join the Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program, you: Enjoy your favorite Medifast Meals all month long, with orders conveniently shipped right to your door Save on your meal purchases and enjoy increased savings the longer you’re on the program Earn points towards exclusive rewards that promote healthy living Receive coupons for special savings. Enrich your life as you achieve Optimal Health Available to all, the BeSlim™ Club is a great way for individuals learning and practicing the BeSlim™ philosophy. Every time you order, you earn points towards healthful rewards. Here’s how: There’s no minimum purchase required. Redeem your reward points* for exclusive Take Shape For Life merchandise, including: Apparel, Exercise Equipment, Spa Trips, And more! Join the BeSlim Club today! Simplify Your Life -- — Receive automatic monthly shipments of your favorite Medifast Meals; Save Your Money — Enjoy savings that increase the longer you are a club member; Earn Just Rewards— Select from an array of rewards that promote healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

Here's what a typical cabinet contains from those with a healthy diet: organic wheat pasta, organic natural pasta sauce, clams, crab meat, Oatmeal, wheat germ (refrigerate after opening), milled flaxseed (refrigerate after opening), Organic honey (unheated and unpressed), sweet potatoes, tomatoes, squash, bananas, organic cereal (healthy variety), wheat crackers, some protein bars, rice cakes, meal-replacement powder (used for a healthy snack).

I'm sure I'm forgetting some things as this is memory of my own kitchen. I eat a lot of Oatmeal, lean meats (although the case can be made to avoid all beef products and possibly poultry, I still consume chicken breasts because I'm not good at eating beans), some pasta (don't consume too much carbs at one time), sandwiches made with healthy bread, and lots of egg whites with only 1 yolk often as an omellete with lots of veggies and tomato served with a slice of toast and a small amount of the organic jelly; skim milks, and protein shakes that contain nutrients from a variety of fruits and vegetables (link below). I do snack on the organic peanut butter at times with just a tablespoon by itself, sometimes Almond Butter. Of course, all the typical condiments and spices are also present in my kitchen.

A healthy diet is not difficult to follow. It is more difficult to avoid the tens of thousands of products and food items that are not healthy. The diet that is healthy has plenty to choose from but wouldn't take all day to list those items. On the other hand, it would take weeks to go through all of the items that don't support good health (reports estimate 320,000 different consumables are available - from The Way To Eat, Marion Nestle).

Get medifast for weight loss, health, a healthy diet, and a diet plan. Medifast is a product that helps you lose weight. There are benefits to using Medifast in your diet, and can be used for weight loss. Phase 1 - 5 & 1 Program for Weight Loss 5 Medifast Meals per Day Over 50 meals to choose from - shakes, bars, drinks, oatmeals, chili, soups, pudding and more. 1 "Lean and Green" Meal per Day Lean Meat: 7 ounces of chicken, turkey of fish, or 5 ounces of lean beef, pork or lamb. Grill, bake or poach meats using non-stick spray. Salt, pepper, herbs and spices may be added if desired. You may also use 1 - 2 teaspoons of condiments such as ketchup, mustard or barbecue sauce. Salad or Vegetables: Either 2 cups of salad greens (any kind) and up to ½ cups raw vegetables, or up to 1 ½ cups cooked vegetables. You may also use 1 - 2 tablespoons of Media low-fat or non-fat dressing.Phase 2 - BeSlim™ Philosophy of Lifelong Weight Control Once you have reached your healthy weight, your Health Advisor will help transition you to the BeSlim™ philosophy of lifelong weight control. The BeSlim™ philosophy is a part of the Take Shape for Life program that incorporates key behaviors mastered by those who lost significant amounts of weight and kept their weight off for years. These key behaviors include: Breakfast (eating Breakfast every day) - High quality fuel, such as our delicious Medifast oatmeal, cappuccino, or chai latte, is essential to start your day the right way. Exercise - Continued exercise increases metabolism, provides strength, flexibility, and mental clarity. Support - Your Health Advisor is here to help you reach and maintain your goals, providing the coaching, tools, education, and caring support you will need along the way. Low-fat meals 5-6 times a day - Eating frequently, controlling portion and total calories, especially those from fat, are critical for success. Individual Plan - Create an individual plan to help you achieve an optimal healthy lifestyle and build the skills and strategies you need to cope with modern life. Monitor your weight - Weigh yourself on a regular basis to maintain optimal weight. Catch it before it becomes a challenge! Join the BeSlim™ Club today and set your life in motion! Introducing the New BeSlim Club & Rewards Program! Optimal Health is its own reward, but how about earning a bonus or two along the way? You’re on a journey to Optimal Health. You’ve made a commitment to lose weight and keep it off! You’ve earned the right to celebrate your success! The new Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is your ticket there. The BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is Take Shape For Life's progressive savings program, offering clients and Health Coaches an easy way to obtain their Medifast Meals at a savings, with exciting rewards you can earn along the way! The longer you are member of the BeSlim™ Club, the more significant your savings are and the more rewards points you’ll earn. When you join the Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program, you: Enjoy your favorite Medifast Meals all month long, with orders conveniently shipped right to your door Save on your meal purchases and enjoy increased savings the longer you’re on the program Earn points towards exclusive rewards that promote healthy living Receive coupons for special savings. Enrich your life as you achieve Optimal Health Available to all, the BeSlim™ Club is a great way for individuals learning and practicing the BeSlim™ philosophy. Every time you order, you earn points towards healthful rewards. Here’s how: There’s no minimum purchase required. Redeem your reward points* for exclusive Take Shape For Life merchandise, including: Apparel, Exercise Equipment, Spa Trips, And more! Join the BeSlim Club today! Simplify Your Life -- — Receive automatic monthly shipments of your favorite Medifast Meals; Save Your Money — Enjoy savings that increase the longer you are a club member; Earn Just Rewards— Select from an array of rewards that promote healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

Weight loss is achieved through a healthy diet, and of course, exercise regularly. Start on your weight loss plan and build a healthy lifestyle. If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your weight loss, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight.

Dr. J. Patrick Havey
The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC