The Dieter’s Blog

Raw Foods Diet - READ THIS FIRST

What’s in a Raw Food Diet?

First of all, know that this is more than a diet. Yes, you will lose weight but more important, you will totally cleanse your entire body. Usually, this type of diet is suppose to go on for about a month. What it does is it totally and completely cleanses your entire body. You already have toxic waste that is within your intestinal walls. Not to mention the toxins that are all throughout your body. There are other detox diets but the raw food detox diet usually lasts longer because you are actually consuming food. There are some in which you do not eat anything from three days up to about two weeks to an entire month.

What is Raw Food?

Raw foods are fresh fruits and vegetables. No salts or preservatives are to be consumed whatsoever. Then of course there are good fats that can be consumed such as salt free peanuts and avocados as well. There are different ways to prepare the foods as well besides just merely eating them. Such ways include making smoothies or steaming the veggies. As long as you remember the rule of no salt. Of course, the fat intake should be limited. In fact, you should slowly decrease your fat intake until you actually lose the desire to eat those foods. You can also consume foods that are organic as well.

How Do I Know that this is My Diet?

Well, to answer that question frankly, everyone should go on this diet or one similar to it at least two times a year. The reason for that is to cleanse your system entirely. There are some people who wouldn’t be able to handle it, though. There are several symptoms that you may encounter such as headaches, fatigue and dizziness. This is due to lack of foods that you normally consume. Then there were cold chills, bad breath and lack of mental focus. However, in the long run, you will definitely start to feel better. The first couple weeks seem to be the hardest part of the diet. It is recommended that you always talk to your doctor before beginning a diet. He will be able to explain reasons for going on the diet and let you know whether or not that it is the best diet for you.

What’s the Good, the Bad and the Ugly About a Raw Food Diet?

Well, as you know, this diet goes on for a month and you barely eat anything. If you are a meat eater, then you have to give up meats for the month. Some people can’t do that. Then of course, as mentioned before, there are several symptoms that may cause you to not want to go on the diet. Since you are cleansing your body, you will definitely feel it throughout your body. It effects everything but in the end, you will have a clearer mind and feel so much better. Not to mention you will lose a tremendous amount of weight as well. Of course, this diet isn’t for everyone, but it could be necessary for your health. You may notice that your skin is drier than normal. It may even become itchy as well. With this diet, it is important to make sure that you drink plenty of water and keep some good lotions handy as well. Then there is also an increase in energy levels, weight loss and you will feel a lot happier as well. Get this, detoxing can cure diseases as well.

What Else Should I do While on The Raw Food Diet?

Exercise is important for your body, especially while dieting. You need to circulate your blood and keep your muscles active. Do not over do the exercising, though. Some of the symptoms already include dizziness, so we definitely do not want to over do it because we can do some serious harm to ourselves. It is good to keep track of your progress as well. Keep track of how much weight you lost and the foods that you consumed. Keep in mind that you are allowed to eat as much as you want as long as it is raw foods. Why raw rather than cooked, you ask? Well, there is a lot that happens to food when it is cooked. Some vegetables lose their nutritional value when they are cooked.

There are other advantages such as the enzymes which help with the digestion. On the other hand, some say that enzymes lead to toxicity and eventually obesity. Some say that they also contain bacterias that can overtake the immune system and harm the digestive system.

As with any diet plan, it is best to always consult your doctor before making any final decision because your doctor will know the best route for you to take. Remember it is recommended to do some sort of detox, whether it be Raw Food Diet or another, at least two times a year.

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Jenny Craig - READ THIS FIRST

Okay so What is the Hoopla on Jenny’s Plan?

This is a different diet because you are actually required to purchase Jenny’s own line of ‘cuisine’. With that, you eat other foods, such as fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products. Then there are the essential grains and healthy fats that you will be consuming in this diet as well. You will be assigned a consultant to help with any questions and in choosing the right plan for you as well. You will have the advantage of having a professional help you all the way through and whenever you need it. he or she is there to go over the plan and to help you maintain your weight.

There is a Step by Step Process

Unlike some diets, this one is a little different. The consultant that you are assigned will actually go through a week by week program. your consultant will touch on certain subjects such as food, mind and body. This will go on for about four weeks. Then there will be a check up. This is when you will record all of the accomplishments since you first started. You will also go on to making new goals and discussing the next course of action. The consultant is not only there to counsel you but to also encourage and guide you through the entire program. The consultant is a mentor and a coach of sorts.

So What’s on the Menu? What’s Jenny Cooking Up For Us?

This is a diet where your primary foods are already prepared for you. You simply order them and voila! there you go, instant meals. Jenny’s foods are prepared special because there is a certain amount in each portion. Everything is counted already. Then there are also certain recipes that you can follow. Your consultant will guide you through these if you like. You are able to eat whole grains and low fat dairy products. Then, of course, let’s not forget the fruits and vegetables as well. There are even Jenny Craig snack portions as well.

There is a variety of foods, anywhere from a breakfast menu to snacks. They are all presorted for your convenience. They contain the correct amount of nutrients that your body needs. This makes it easier to prepare as well. This is good for those days when you just don’t have the time to prepare a big 5 course meal for the family. If you did, you wouldn’t have to worry about preparing your own special meal as it is already done for you.

To Jenny Craig or Not to Jenny Craig, that is the Question

First of all, there is a fee to even join. Not to mention the cost of food. That alone may make anyone shun the diet program. We never know if this particular diet will work for us until we go through it and pay all the fees that are attached to it. This will help you in the decision making process as well, I am sure. You should always consult with your doctor before choosing any diet. Your doctor knows your body just as well as (if not more than) you do. Consider all that is involved. The meetings and the consultations. A lot of people do not even have the time for this kind of diet. With work, car pooling, after school activities and all of the daily household chores, who has time to sit and chit chat about food and weight? Not too many people. The other side to that is whether or not you see the advantage of having a support system. That is a good thing. Are you willing to make your own special meals outside of the ones that you should be preparing for your family? Some people may find that very inconvenient. Be sure to discuss the pros and cons with your doctor. If you are in doubt, find some success stories that you can be inspired by.

There are other things to take into consideration before you decide that this will work. You will mostly need to go ahead and try it in order to know whether it will work for you. That is with all diets. If you are willing to pay the fee and pay for the meals, then this may be just the right diet for you. Consider the time that it will take just to get through the first stages. Most people want results NOW! Make your choice and let Jenny help you lose that weight! If your desire is to lose weight and keep it off with a good support system and to do whatever it takes, then the Jenny Craig diet may be the right one for you.

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Weight Watchers - READ THIS FIRST

A Closer Look

Well, they say that it is not a diet. However, they do believe that it is a way of life. Sounds interesting enough! You basically get to eat what you like while putting your main focus on the nutrition intake. Basically, you choose foods that you like and Weight Watchers also provides you with a wide variety of recipes that you can choose from. Some of the plans include whole grains and low fat foods with fruits and vegetables. There are two main plans that you can choose from and stick to. You have the choice of the Flex Plan where you basically eat anything while keeping track of the point values. Then there is the Core Plan where you can eat as much nutritional food as you want to because they help to keep you fuller for a longer period of time.

More than Just Food

You would probably think that, just like with any other diet, all you basically have are the instructions laid out for you. Maybe a couple of books that you probably would never read and the choice of foods and supplements that you will need all conveniently written on a list. Well, think again because, with the Weight Watchers Diet, you get more than all of that. There are actual meetings that you can attend, even online. There is a newsletter as well as several recipes. Have you ever noticed that there is also a line of Weight Watchers foods in your grocers freezer? Well, that is another great thing about this ‘diet’. They offer frozen foods but they are not required to be eaten for this diet.

Is this the Right Diet for Me?

Consider this: being able to prepare foods that your family can even eat. There is no more special dinner preparations for you. That is one thing that you can consider. Are you willing to continue the diet as a way of life and not just some short term fad diet? Are you willing to count calorie intake and keep up with balancing your nutritional intake as well as calories and fat? As with most diets, exercise is important; so, are you willing to add exercise to your diet as well? Consider the meetings and undivided support that you will have. There is no doubt that a combination of 45 years of expertise and leaders will be there to walk you through anything that you need help with. The leaders have been successful with the diet, so they aren’t just a so called expert, they actually have hands on experience and a success story to share with you.

Maybe it isn’t the Right Diet?

Well, that is definitely something that you will want to talk to your doctor about first. Perhaps it is overwhelming because of all it entails and you don’t know whether you can handle it. Keeping up with all of the calories, weight, fat intake or counting everything; who has the time for all of that? You don’t think that you could continue this for any length of time? These are questions that you will definitely want to ask yourself. Your answers will help you decide.

So What Can I Eat?

There are so many recipes to choose from that there is bound to be something that you will like. Not to mention the wide variety of Weight Watchers frozen food. You have a choice to pretty much eat what you want but keep up with counting calories and fat that you consume. Then, of course, there is another plan in which you choose to eat nutritional foods and eat as much as you like to eat because they are nutritional. There is even a plan for men. This is a program designed specifically for men because their structure is different than a woman’s. They tell you the proper exercising to follow, etc.

There are many things that you should take into consideration when you are initiating a diet. First of all, be sure that you are fully aware of all that is entailed in the diet. Make sure that you understand what is expected of you as well. Then, of course, you are going to want to talk with your doctor about it. This may not be the right one for you and he will help you make that decision. Know their philosophy and the ins and outs of the diet. Speak to others who have tried it. Keep in mind that like with any diet, it is wise to exercise while on it. This may just be the right diet for you considering the great support system that they have. When considering this diet, the pro’s may have out done the con’s.

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