Mindy Kaling said it best in her book Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me? when she said, “We always think of a diet with a big groan. But I think diets are fun. I think it is an American pastime for a lot of women.” Well she hit the nail on the head, except that this GUY loves diets too. I honestly love to try a new diet every month, but seem to never get it right or just get over it.
Well, we (my wife and I) are back on eating healthy and trying to get in shape for a family vacation we have planned at the end of September. I have honestly tried them all, from pills and puking (just kidding, it was all that I could think of that started with P) to eating a saltine a day and 13 ice pops. But really I have tried so many diets I couldn’t ever find one that worked for me that I was actually happy doing.
That all changed when I started The 17 Day Diet. You heard of it? Well, basically you eat the same things for 17 day (list of cycle 1 foods below) then it switches up a little the next 17. This goes on for four cycles until you are at the goal weight you are trying to hit.s
We literally just started and we’re really loving it. I have usually hated doing diets that restrict me from eating what I want, and don’t get me wrong, some days have sucked, from wedding food, pizza and treats at work, and popcorn at the movies. I am going crazy! But here is a list of the foods we can eat:
Lean Protiens:
Salmon, canned or fresh
Sole
Flounder
Catfish
Tilapia
Canned light tuna (in water)
Chicken breasts
Turkey breasts
Ground turkey, lean
Eggs (2 eggs = 1 serving)
Egg Whites (4 egg whites = 1 serving)
Cleansing Vegetables:
Artichoke
Artichoke hearts
Asparagus
Bell peppers, green, orange, red, yellow
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Garlic
Green beans
Green, leafy vegetables (including beat greens, turnip greens, collard greens)
Kale
Leeks
Lettuce, all varieties
Mushrooms
Okra
Onions
Parsley
Scallions
Spinach
Tomatoes
Watercress
Low-Sugar Fruit- 2 servings daily
Applies
Berries, all types
Grapefruit
Oranges
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Prickly pear cactus
Prunes
Red grapes
Probiotic Foods- 2 servings daily
Yogurts, any type including Greek-Style, sugar free fruit flavored, plain and low-fat (6oz = 1 serving)
Kefir: similar to drinking-style yogurt; great for making smoothies (1 cup = 1 serving)
Low-fat acidophilus milk (1 cup = 1 serving)
Yakult (small 50-calorie bottle)
Breakstone LiveActive cottage cheese (1/2 c = 1 serving)
Reduced salt miso dissolved in low-fat, low-sodium broth (1 tablespoon = 1 serving)
Tempeh (a fermented cake of pressed soybeans) (4 oz = 1 serving)
Sauerkraut (1/2 c = 1 serving)
Kimichi (Korean fermented cabbage) (1/2 c = 1 serving)
Friendly Fats: 1 to 2 tablespoons daily
Olive Oil
Flaxseed Oil
Condiments: allowed in moderation:
Salsa
Low-carb marinara sauce
Lite soy sauce
Low-carb ketchup
Fat-free sour cream
Low-fat, low-sodium broth
Truvia or Nectresse (non-caloric sweeteners made from natural ingredients)**
Sugar free jams and jellies
Vegetable cooking spray
Fat-free cheeses
Fat-free salad dressing
Salt
Pepper
Vinegar
Mustard
Herbs
Spices
It’s not too late, you can do this with us. Check out this great blog for all the details and what exactly you do. The weight will drop off and you will be happy with how fast you will be seeing results. Here’s to a happier, healthier looking us!
