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How Well Does the Medifast Plan Work?

The Medifast diet plan is probably one of the more popular diet delivery programs out there, but if you are only considering this diet for the first time, you might be wondering how well their plan will work for you. With any luck I can help you figure that out.

Medifast is designed to be a very low calorie diet, but still one that meets all of your nutritional needs for the day. It does this with its meal replacements that are available as protein bars, diet shakes, puddings and other foods that are fortified with additional nutrients, such as their oatmeal. You won’t just be eating the packaged food however. Each day you also make your lean and green meal that consists of fresh veggies and high quality lean proteins.

In my opinion, the primary reason that Medifast works so well is that it isn’t solely low calorie. It also happens to be low in carbs and higher in protein. Because you aren’t consuming so many starchy foods, your craving for more foods of that type is naturally reduced. In fact, if you follow Medifast for at least a few days, your hunger will probably disappear and you won’t even feel like you are on a diet.

Another great factor that helps you achieve success with their program is that, except for your lean and green meals, you can forget about meal planning. Just keep track of how many packets you eat per day (five) and make sure you have some salad and lean protein on hand for your evening meal and you are all set. For dieters who don’t use meal replacements, you need to be thinking about food between 3-5 times a day, trying to figure out what to eat!

Of course, eventually you’ll be done with Medifast and will need to start think about meal planning again. But when you are actively dieting, it really helps a lot if you don’t have to be worrying about meal prep constantly. This is especially true if you are a bit of a food addict.

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Misconceptions about Mediterranean Foods and Weight Loss

Mediterranean diets are one way to lose weight and keep your cardiovascular system in good health. These diet plans are preferred by many because they can enjoy Italian-based accompaniments like a glass of red wine with dinner and small dessert every day. What many do not realize is that the typical American’s idea of “Mediterranean” is often based on the common Italian foods we knew as kids. However, a real Mediterranean diet is heavy on fish and seafood topped with light sauces, rather than huge helpings of pasta and heavy sauces at each meal.

Avoid Americanized Portions

Authentic Italian meals rarely consist of heaping mounds of pasta flooded with a heavy marinara sauce and served with large slices of garlic bread. Research shows that in a real Italian diet, people eat several small meals in a day. Each of these meals contains much smaller portions than Americans expect to see. Fruits, nuts, and fresh vegetables make up the largest part of meals, which do not center around large meat dishes.

More Fish, Less Red Meat

The Italians eat more fish and seafood than any other European countries. The nutrients in fish can help you develop a stronger immune system and overall improved health. Italians eat very little red meat in their regular diet. If you believe that spaghetti with meatballs is a cornerstone of the Italian diet, you will be sadly surprised to learn that Italians eat meat maybe once a week. Many meals do not include meat dishes at all, but rely on cheese for protein.

Moderation is the Key

The power behind the Mediterranean diet is moderation. Italians like to eat a wide variety of foods in smaller portions so that they can enjoy several different flavors at each meal. If you only eat a plate of baked pasta at lunch, you are missing the benefits that come with a true Mediterranean diet. The best way to approach Mediterranean food is to plan to eat a small amount of something from each food group at each meal. Think about foods that are natural to the Italian climate, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Pay attention to flavors and spices to ensure a greater variety of tastes and textures.

Pasta should be Used Sparingly

The American idea of Italian food generally starts with pasta. While Italians do eat some pasta every day, they usually only have it with one meal. The pasta is never the central feature of the dish, either. If you really want to start a Mediterranean diet, you can’t go straight for the spaghetti and pizza. The most successful and healthy Italian diets contain a measured amount of all healthy foods available to residents of the Mediterranean.

Jessica Bosari writes on topics important to dieters and discusses top weight loss diet programs at WeightLossTriumph.com. The site is a helpful resource for those seeking Nutrisystem promos and coupons or the Medifast savings coupon for March.