In Prevention Magazine Editor-in-Chief Liz Vaccariello’s book, the Flat Belly Diet, program followers are discovering a whole new way to eat and lose weight around their midsections. Along with the magazine’s nutrition director, Cynthia Sass, she has formulated a plan that has received critical acclaim. The program is designed to help people lose weight quickly by following a plan of healthy eating and incorporating MUFAs, or monounsaturated fatty acids, to help the dieter feel satisfied.
Four-Day Jumpstart
The first four days of the plan will help the dieter lose pounds quickly, which will increase motivation to continue. The combination of drinking Sassy Water, a blend designed by Cynthia Sass, and eating non-gassy foods will help rid the body of fluids and start the body streamlining process.
Foods to Avoid During Jumpstart
According to Ms. Vaccariello’s program, certain foods add inches to the waist. Salt, high sodium seasons and processed foods attract water. Carbohydrates in excess, such as bagels, large amounts of pasta and bananas cause the body to store glycogen, which also attracts water. Foods that are bulky and take up space in gut include many of the raw vegetables. Also avoid gassy foods, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, legumes and citrus. Fried foods can cause bloating, and spicy foods may irritate the stomach. Carbonated drinks, coffee, tea, some fruit juice and alcohol may cause intestinal swelling.
Four-Week Program
For the next four weeks, dieters will eat four 400 calorie meals per day, with a MUFA included in every meal. Other aspects of the plan include spending some time each day reflecting on relationships with food and meeting health and weight goals. Exercise is encouraged, but it is not required.
Healthy MUFAs
Besides the 400 calorie meals, the key to success in the Flat Belly Diet Program is consuming MUFAs, which not only fight the belly fat, they are healthy for the heart and decrease many diseases. Some of these monounsaturated fatty acids include olives, nuts, seeds, avocados, dark chocolate and certain oils, such as canola, olive oil, peanut oil, flaxseed oil and safflower oil.
400 Calorie Meals
Eating four 400 calorie meals per day will keep the metabolism at the optimum level, satisfy the appetite, which will prevent between meal snacking, and prevent overeating. With moderate exercise and this healthy 1600 calorie per day program, most people will lose weight and be able to keep it off, since this involves a lifestyle change.
Daily Journal
During the four week plan, dieters are encouraged to maintain a daily journal. They should write down what they eat and how they feel afterward.
Was this article helpful? If so, read 400 Calorie Breakfast Ideas, 400 Calorie Lunch Ideas and 400 Calorie Dinner Ideas.
Debby Mayne - Debby Mayne is a published author of more than 30 novels and novellas and former fashion writer for the Home Shopping Network.
