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The Best Ways
to Cheat
www.MealPlans101.com
Don’t get too excited,
guys and women, I’m talking about cheating on your diet--after
all, I’m a dietitian, not a private eye. The truth is that
even if you’re committed to a healthy lifestyle (you eat well,
exercise regularly, rarely overindulge), temptation is still everywhere—even
with free meal diet plans you can get online. Just when you think
they’re the answer and you can follow them to a ‘t’,
bam, your favorite food hits you! If you’re not careful, one
loving look from a juicy burger (with bacon, mayo and cheddar) across
the room could be the end of you. An innocent night out for hot
wings and beer may result in your being a “bad boy”
(especially if somebody catches you in the act).
As a dietitian, I’m here to tell you it’s okay to cheat
on rare occasion (ladies, you didn’t hear it here). But if
you’re gonna’ give in to fat and carbohydrate overload,
why not choose foods that can actually serve you? I call these the
“best” of the “worst”—the top 10 foods
you can eat and still live with yourself in the morning. These foods
don’t fall into any one particular “diet” mold,
some work with high protein low fat meal plans, while others are
simply providing a meal planning lesson.
Before launching into
the list, let’s point out the obvious; some foods are better
than others. With free meal diet plans that you can find online,
there will likely be all sorts of foods included—but that
doesn’t mean they’re all ideal. Nutrient dense foods
should comprise a majority of your diet. But I’m not saying
you should live a life of deprivation either. Sometimes splurging
on something “bad” is good. After you indulge, however,
hop right back on the bandwagon. Don’t throw your arms up
in disgust, thinking you just blew your entire “get lean”
plan.
The Top 10 Best of the
Worst
Next time you’re
glued to the TV, consider splurging on some of these foods—bad,
but not so bad for you, they can’t be good too:
| Food |
Why |
| Baked chips and guacamole |
Avocado (the green in guacamole) is a loaded with antioxidants,
such as vitamin E and glutathione, which are both good for the
heart and immune system and lutein, which is important for the
eyes. Avocado is also a great source of heart healthy fats,
to keep those lipids under wrap. |
| Mixed nuts |
Squirrels aren’t stupid; nuts are excellent sources
of B-vitamins, which are important in maintaining energy levels.
They’re also great sources of vitamin E and low in saturated
fat, but high in healthy monounsaturated fats, making your heart
happy. And they fit perfectly into the high protein low fat
meal plans (well, low unhealthy fats at least). |
| Pizza |
Opt for meat-free; pepperoni and sausage offer little in the
nutrient department. Instead add a veggie topping or order it
plain. The tomato sauce in pizza offers a hefty dose of lycopene,
an important nutrient for prostate health. The added vegetables
will add beta-carotene and vitamin C, among others, to fight
free radicals, which promote aging. Also, order whole wheat
crust, if possible, and opt for the thin crust version to cut
back on the refined carbs. |
| Hamburger |
You’re out with the guys and they insist on stopping
at the local BBQ joint. While this might sound appealing, give
the plain hamburger a try. Have it without mayonnaise or butter.
Taste the burger for a change. It won’t kill you. Literally!
This will keep the fat lower, and provide just as many muscle
building nutrients like protein, zinc, and iron. |
| Sweet potato fries |
If you insist on fries, give the sweet potato fries a chance.
Rather than solely adding fat to your diet, like normal fries,
the orange shoe strings will at least provide a good dose of
beta-carotene. |
| Dark beer |
Forget about “tastes great” and “less filling.”
Preliminary studies show dark beer may offer more “free
radical fighting” flavonoids than light beer, which may
help fight blood clots. But if you need to be rolled out of
the bar or peeled off the “porcelain king” you’ve
negated any benefit. Drink in moderation. |
| Dark chocolate covered strawberries |
Dark chocolate is high in a compound called phenols, that
may help prevent “bad cholesterol” from forming
plaque in your arteries and it’s never too early or too
late to protect your heart. Add the benefit of strawberries,
a great source of vitamins C and A, and dessert never sounded
so good. Let’s not leave out that most women find these
foods romantic, so who knows where these foods can lead you.
|
| Snickers Almond Bar |
Quiz: It’s the middle of the day and you’re starving
at your desk and can’t concentrate. What do you do? Reach
for a Snickers Almond Bar; the almonds provide some heart healthy
fats and are high in B-vitamins. This version is lower in total
fat and saturated fat than the “regular” Snickers
too. And even if you think you’re king, don’t go
for King Size. That’s a surefire way to find yourself
the court jester. Even better, reach for a Labrada Rock ‘n
Roll bar—but unfortunately these aren’t offered
in vending machines, so I’m being a bit more practical
if you don’t plan ahead. |
| Berry pie |
Unfortunately carrot cake doesn’t count as a vegetable,
so instead order berry pie for dessert. Berries have some of
the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit or vegetable and
have even been shown to contain compounds that help prevent
Alzheimers; the darker the berry, the higher dose of nutrients,
so blueberry or blackberry pie would be great options. Skip
the a la mode and leave some crust behind; they’re both
loaded with saturated fat. |
| Shortening |
You’re alone on a Friday night; you’re wife does
all the cooking and she’s out of town. Shortening is great
if you want something quick and easy; spoon it right out of
the container and you’ll go immediately to saturated and
trans-fat heaven, where your arteries are so clogged, Draino
wouldn’t do the trick. Alright, I got carried away. Please
don’t eat shortening by the spoonful as it lacks anything
that could be construed as healthy. |
The Worst of
the Best
If these formerly questionable
foods can be good for you, can “good foods” be not so
healthy? You bet. Three, in particular, will pack weight on faster
than prey fattens a bear preparing to hibernate. Avoid, if you can:
• Salad—no, I’m not off my rocker. Salad itself
is great, but loaded with bacon bits, cheese, butter soaked croutons
and creamy dressing? Deadly. Instead, load it up with fresh veggies
and low-fat dressing and go crazy. I have found that with free meal
diet plans, they often leave off the salad to appeal to a wider
audience, when it reality, the right type of salad should be a part
of every plan.
• Rice cakes. Once a dieters dream, rice cakes have gone the
way of the eight-track, since they offer zero nutrients and will
blow your blood sugar through the roof. Besides they taste like
cardboard and who wants to eat that? Low fat meal, yes…but
not a meal that offers anything of value.
• Low-carb hot wings (yes, I have seen these advertised).
Guess what? Wings never had carbs, they’re a saturated fat
nightmare. They’re also loaded with calories, so skip ‘em.
They are surely high in protein, but because they’re loaded
with fat, they don’t fit the high protein low fat meal options
that many of our readers tell us they’re looking for when
creating their favorite meals.
Well, there you have
it. The best of the worst, and the worst of the best. Follow these
guidelines and nobody can ever call you a cheater again. For meal
plans you can create on your own, to pick the best of the best foods
you love, order right here.
Order
now through our secure server and you can instantly
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