Tag: Meal Replacements

Simply Sensational Diet Center Salads

The idea of healthy food immediately brings to mind delicious and beautiful salads that are not only healthy but Instagram-worthy. We put together a list of some of the best ways to create nutritious salads that will make meals a beautiful breeze and make staying with your Diet Center Weight Loss Program fresh and delicious.

Mix Up The Proteins

The quickest way to get bored and fall back into bad habits is eating the same thing all of the time. Not only do your taste buds sigh at the thought of another bite, but the body has something called “metabolic memory” that kicks in when you eat repetitively. Once our bodies get used to a certain set of nutrients, our metabolism works less efficiently to handle the load.

What this translates into ultimately, is a slowing of weight-loss results. The importance of variety is that the body is not able to develop a metabolic memory of a meal and it will work harder to process. The simple way of putting it: Eat different proteins for each meal to keep your metabolism running high.

To make things easier, we like to prepare servings of chicken, eggs, beef, etc. and seal each one in a baggie so that when it comes time to add some protein to a meal, it’s as simple as reaching into the fridge and pulling one out.

Tip: For longer shelf life, make enough for two weeks of meals and store half in the freezer. A quick thaw in the microwave and voila, protein!

Vibrant Vegetable Buffet

A recent article delved into the psychology behind why buffets and the sight of food is so enticing to us. One of the key findings is that the visual presentation of a variety of foods releases dopamine into our system. This harkens back to the caveman days when food was difficult to get and serves as a physiological reward for having achieved a biological imperative, to eat. The body is wired to have a positive response to the presentation of food.

Now, let’s translate this principle to how we make our salads. At the beginning of a week, take a container with compartments and chop your favorite salad vegetables into each bin. When it comes time to assemble a tasty lunch, you can simply drag out the container to easily pick and choose what inspires you each day.

The results are two-fold. Meals are so incredibly easy to make that weight-loss will be all the easier and you are training your body to have a positive response to healthy foods that will make you smile with how beautiful they are.

Fantastic Fats

Let us shout it from the rooftops, “Eating healthy fats is a necessary part of weight loss!’”. And when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Making your own salad dressing can be a fantastic way to save money as well as experiment with bold new flavors for your foods. We love to make our own dressing with extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar and our favorite salt-free spice blends. If olive oil isn’t your thing, we also like to make healthy croutons to add a divine crunch when we are craving carb-y  goodness.

Restaurant-Worthy Croutons

1 serving | per serving: 1 starch, 1/2 fat
4 Melba® Toast
½ teaspoon butter
1 clove fresh garlic
Mrs. Dash® Salt-Free Lemon Pepper seasoning (to taste)

Set oven to broil. Crush the Melba Toast to desired size and arrange on a small baking sheet. Melt butter with the garlic and Lemon Pepper seasoning in a small dish and brush mixture over crushed up toast. Broil croutons on the middle rack for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and remove. Wait 2 minutes and serve when ready.

That’s So Sweet

Don’t be afraid to add your favorite fruit to your salads to give them a new dimension of flavor. Adding more colors of the rainbow to your plate also means that you are increasing your phytonutrient intake. As you know, phytonutrients are essential chemical compounds produced by fruits and vegetables that can help prevent many of the factors that lead to chronic illness and disease. The more colors you eat, the stronger your health will be. So, like we said, don’t be afraid to throw a few blueberries or some vibrant kiwi into the mix for a salad that will make you smile.

Tip: Hate it when your fruit dries out in your lunch? Fold a damp paper towel over the top of your salad to keep it fresh and beautiful until you eat. 

Handful of Herbs

There’s no reason to skimp on flavor when fresh herbs are easily available at your local grocery store. Or better yet, grown right in your own garden! A quick handful of fresh basil, cilantro or any other seasonal herb can bring added dimension to your meal to keep your taste buds on their toes.

Herbs also have the additional benefit of being health powerhouses full of vitamins, antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Adding just a few extra ounces of herbs to your diet can help strengthen your immune system and improve your overall health, simply by eating!

Tip: Make fresh herbs last much longer by storing them in the fridge with stems submerged in water and covered loosely with a plastic bag. 

Your Guide to Meal Timing, Frequency and Ratios

Ready for fast and easy results that will motivate you to stay with it until goal? Healthy eating begins with balance. You want to balance your food intake, increase variety and also be conscious of when and how much you are eating to get amazing results on the scale. Balancing the food on your plate, eating all of the food on your Diet Center plan daily and eating your meals at great times will lead to optimal weight-loss results.

What you eat is important, however, how much and why you eat is essential to your weight-loss success. At Diet Center we want you to have both rapid weight loss and lasting results. Proper portions, meal timing, ratios, not skipping meals and eating frequently heals your metabolism and prepares your body to burn stored fat for fuel and achieve lasting weight-loss results. Here are some helpful guidelines for Meal Timing and Frequency on your Diet Center Program.

Eat 30-45 Minutes After Waking

After a long night’s sleep, your body will require nourishment for energy. Diet Center recommends eating breakfast within 30-45 minutes of waking to provide your body with energy and help to prevent overeating later in the day. Before eating breakfast drink 8 to 16 ounces of water to prepare your bodily systems for the day. We recommend our 24 Hour Thermogenics Water Enhancer to boost metabolism and provide great appetite suppression. Eat a hearty breakfast consisting of lean protein, a healthy fat and an unrefined carbohydrate to keep you fuller longer! Diet Center products can also provide a variety of choices for easy-to-prepare breakfasts.

Eat Frequently

To keep your body energized and your metabolism functioning optimally, we recommend you eat every 2-3 hours. When you delay eating or skip meals, your insulin levels spike, which can result in added insulin in your blood stream, cravings and eventually lead to weight gain. When insulin levels are in balance, your body won’t go into starvation mode and blood sugar levels stay balanced.

Eat 2/3 of Your Food Before Bed

To assist with cravings and control overeating, enjoy your breakfast, lunch and snacks within the first 9 hours of your day. Finish eating all of your food for the day within 2 hours of going to bed. We also recommend eating your starch and fruit servings early in the day to ensure your body will digest them properly throughout your day. Also be sure you are taking your Carb Blockers to assist with reducing cravings, decreasing hunger and increased fat burning.

Eat Everything on Your Plate

Contrary to many weight-loss myths, skipping meals or leaving food on your plate does not equate to healthy and consistent weight loss. You must eat to lose! Eat all the food allotted on your plan to experience fast and healthy weight-loss results. These foods are specifically designed to boost your metabolism and create thermogenesis—or the creation of heat—in the body. This process allows your body to burn fat for fuel and shed excess weight in a fast and healthy manner. Count nutrients and not calories. Nourish yourself and nourish your health.

Eat Proper Ratios

Obtaining the optimal ratio of food groups at every meal is essential for weight-loss success because you are allowing your body to balance blood sugar and weight-related hormones. Proper ratios will also spark thermogenesis in the body. Use a food scale when preparing meals in the home to “check” yourself. Under eating can cause your metabolism and fat burning factors to slow—so make sure you are getting enough!

Eat frequently, eat balanced portions and eat everything on your plate! These simple rules are essential to helping ensure you lose your weight and lose it all! Your Diet Center Counselor will be glad to help with meal planning and an eating schedule to maximize your personal metabolism and lifestyle needs. Let’s do it together!

Meal Replacements- Smart or SMART?

Studies have shown that meal replacements help with weight control. One study shows that meal replacements can help maintain weight loss over 10 years! The participants had substituted 2 regular meals and 1 (of 3) daily snacks with meal replacements to lose weight. Then they replaced one meal and one snack to maintain the loss. They were also encouraged to return to their weight loss plan whenever they gained more weight.

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