Mom Needs A Break! Tips, Ideas, Help….For Those Hard Working Moms!

Dr. Phil McGraw is a popular no-nonsense talk show host.  His diet plan is based around healthy eating and changing your lifestyle.  It is more geared towards emotional eaters and based around understanding the cycle of why we overeat.
 

The diet plan is easy to follow, no need to food combine or strange menus.  You’re encouraged to eat a wide variety of natural whole foods, lead protein and small amounts of the “good for you” fats. 
 

This diet plan is in line with many Low GI eating plans currently on the market.  Dr. Phil devotes a large part of his book to helping the dieter change their thoughts of food and negative body image.
 

The Dr. Phil diet is comprised of the seven-point plan and this is how it works:
 

The dieter will write a summary of what they will eat the entire day and then stick to it.  The daily diet menu should consist of three servings of lean protein, two servings of low-fat dairy products, and two to three servings of whole grain carbs, two fruits, four servings of vegetables and one small serving of healthy fats such as nuts, seeds or olive oil.
 

This is based around healthy eating guidelines and is a plan many dieticians approve.

We’ve all been told that cutting calories will help us lose weight; however, where your calories come from matters almost as much as how many you get.  While low fat has always been toted as the best way to go, there are many other types of food that are helpful in losing weight as well.
 

Fresh, unprocessed foods
If you think about it, our bodies were designed to eat natural foods.  Our digestive systems have evolved over many years; preservatives and artificial chemicals have existed for a comparatively short amount of time.  The foods our bodies digest and use most efficiently are natural and unprocessed.  This is why you should try eating fresh foods as much possible.  It is also recommended that many of these foods be eaten raw because it preserves the healthy active enzymes in fruits and vegetables.
 

Dairy
Incorporating low fat dairy products into your diet helps you lose weight faster than just cutting calories.  A good way to get enough dairy is through yogurt.  Not only do they usually come in portioned controlled cups; yogurt also contains good bacteria that helps improve your overall health.
 

Low sugar 
When you eat sugar, your body’s response is to immediately release insulin to lower your blood sugar levels.  With high-sugar foods, your body can overreact to glucose levels and produce too much insulin.  This lowers your blood sugar; making you hungry again much sooner than low sugar foods.  Instead of sugary snacks, choose foods higher in protein and fiber.  These foods absorb more slowly, making you feel full longer.
 

Spicy foods
When we eat foods that are really spicy, we tend to eat less.  Some studies suggest that appetite suppression is due to capsaicin, a chemical found in many spicy foods.  Others attribute this effect to strong flavour of these foods being less palatable. 
 

While cutting calories and getting appropriate amounts of exercise are both important, incorporating some of these foods into your diet may just give you the boost you need to finally shed those extra pounds.
 

Here’s to a happy and healthy New Year!

Cheers!

Kerry