Nothing sucks more for your tummy than a limiting diet — trust me. I’ve tried not having carbs, I’ve tried not having cheese and I’ve event tried not having anything that cavemen didn’t eat. After a few short weeks, I usually break these limiting diets in a big way and never look back.
My favorite thing about the Jump Start Diet is that I hardly feel limited at all. The fact that no food group is restricted has helped me stick to my goal and see success. I’m obviously not eating cheeseburgers with French fries and mozzarella sticks for every meal with a slice of cheesecake for dessert, but the Jump Start Diet provides healthy alternatives to some of the food I have a hard time going without.
Chips: I’m not like my dad in that many ways — or at least I won’t admit it — but one way we are definitely similar is our love of potato chips. The Jump Start Diet obviously doesn’t allow me to eat my favorite chip, Lay’s Barbecue, but it has introduced me to something even better: Popchips. Popchips aren’t baked and aren’t fried, but instead “popped” with heat and pressure and seasoned naturally. With only 120 calories per serving (a serving being 22 chips, not the measly 12 or 14 that other chips consider a serving), they’re easy to work into any meal. Popchips are delicious, Jillian approved, and now my new favorite snack!
Cheese: I am a big fan of cheese (like a really big fan, almost pathetically so — it’s the Justin Bieber of my life). I was really disheartened when I found out it wasn’t good for you because I was under the assumption that all dairy was good for you. Then again, I also counted potatoes as vegetables. And then I turned 19. Anyway, I digress. Cheese is generally full of fat and should only be eaten in small quantities. And if you want to include cheese in your diet then you better cut calories elsewhere because that stuff’s full of ‘em. Unless, you buy cheese made with skim milk! That’s what the Jump Start Diet recommends. It’s lower in fat, lower in calories and just as delicious. Obviously it should still be eaten in moderation, but I’m loving the fact that I can put cheese on my sandwich or salad totally guilt free!
Bread: Everyone knows that carbs are the enemy, right? Wrong! The Jump Start Diet includes whole-wheat bread, pasta and this funny little grain called quinoa. My favorite new find at the grocery story (aside from pop chips) is this substitute for regular bread: the Deli Flat. Deli Flats are sold by a bunch of different brands and are whole grain and generally only 100 calories. While The Jump Start Diet recipeis usually call for whole-grain English muffins, I like using these instead. No one should live through a torturous no-carb life. Options, like these whole-wheat Deli Flats, make bread a healthier addition to your diet.
You should really check out the Jump Start Diet. I’ve already told you about the awesome egg sandwich recipe, quinoa recipe and apple and pear desserts, but there are even more guilt free recipes like a modified pizza, turkey burger and stir-fry! I’m losing weight, but more importantly, enjoying healthier food. Sign up for the free program here! And follow me on twitter! @SamGetsHealthy
Here’s to guilt free food bliss!
Samantha