7 Day Diet That Works

You'll eat three meals and two snacks daily, plus each dish packs a filling balance of 45 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 25 percent healthy fats. When it comes to drinks,water is king. We suggests doing 60 to 90 minutes of moderate exercise four times a week. 

MONDAY

Breakfast

1/2 cup egg whites scrambled with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon chopped basil, 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan, and 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1 slice whole-grain toast
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup skim milk

Snack
1/2 cup fat-free Greek yoghurt topped with 1/4 cup sliced strawberries

Lunch
Salad made with 3/4 cup cooked bulgur, 4 ounces chopped grilled chicken breast, 1 tablespoon shredded low-fat cheddar, diced grilled veggies (2 tablespoons onion, 1/4 cup diced zucchini, 1/2 cup bell pepper), 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro, and 1 tablespoon low-fat vinaigrette

Snack
2 tablespoons hummus and 6 baby carrots

Dinner
4 ounces grilled salmon
1 cup wild rice with 1 tablespoon slivered toasted almonds
1 cup wilted baby spinach with 1 teaspoon each olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and grated Parmesan
1/2 cup diced cantaloupe topped with
1/2 cup all-fruit raspberry sorbet and 1 teaspoon chopped walnuts

TUESDAY

Breakfast
3/4 cup steel-cut or old-fashioned oatmeal prepared with water; stir in 1/2 cup skim milk
2 links country-style turkey sausage
1 cup blueberries

Snack
1/2 cup fat-free ricotta cheese with 1/2 cup raspberries and 1 tablespoon chopped pecans

Snack
1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese with 1/2 cup salsa

Dinner
1 turkey burger
3/4 cup roasted cauliflower and broccoli florets
3/4 cup brown rice
1 cup spinach salad with 1 tablespoon light balsamic vinaigrette

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast
Omelet made with 4 egg whites and 1 whole egg, 1/4 cup chopped broccoli, 2 tablespoons each fat-free refried beans, diced onion, diced mushrooms, and salsa
Quesadilla made with 1/2 of one small corn tortilla and 1 tablespoon low-fat jack cheese
1/2 cup diced watermelon

Snack
1/2 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt with 1 sliced apple and 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

Lunch
Salad made with 2 cups chopped Romaine, 4 ounces grilled chicken, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/2 cup diced mushrooms, 2 tablespoons shredded low-fat cheddar, and 1 tablespoon low-fat Caesar dressing
1 medium nectarine
1 cup skim milk

Snack
1 fat-free mozzarella string cheese stick
1 medium orange

Dinner
4 ounces shrimp, grilled or sauteed with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 medium artichoke, steamed
1/2 cup whole wheat couscous with 2 tablespoons diced bell pepper, 1/4 cup garbanzo beans, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 tablespoon fat-free honey mustard dressing.

THURSDAY

Breakfast
1 light whole-grain English muffin with 1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter and 1 tablespoon sugar-free fruit spread
1 wedge honeydew
1 cup skim milk
2 slices Canadian bacon

Snack
Yogurt parfait made with 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, 2 tablespoons sliced strawberries or raspberries, and 2 tablespoons low-fat granola

Lunch
Wrap made with 4 ounces thinly sliced lean roast beef, 1 6-inch whole wheat tortilla, 1/4 cup shredded lettuce, 3 medium tomato slices, 1 teaspoon horseradish, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup pinto beans or lentils with 1 teaspoon chopped basil and 1 tablespoon light Caesar dressing

Snack
8 baked corn chips with 2 tablespoons guacamole

Dinner
4 ounces grilled halibut
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms sauteed with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion, and 1 cup green beans
Salad made with 1 cup arugula, 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinaigrette
1/2 cup warm unsweetened applesauce with 1/4 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt,
1 tablespoon chopped pecans and dash cinnamon.

FRIDAY

Breakfast
Burrito made with 1 medium whole wheat tortilla, 4 scrambled egg whites, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 cup fat-free refried black beans, 2 tablespoons salsa, 2 tablespoons grated low-fat cheddar, and 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro
1 cup mixed melon

Snack
3 ounces sliced lean ham
1 medium apple

Lunch
Turkey burger
Salad made with 1 cup baby spinach, 1/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup cooked lentils, 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon light Russian dressing
1 cup skim milk

Snack
1 fat-free mozzarella string cheese stick
1 cup red grapes

Dinner 
5 ounces grilled wild salmon
1/2 cup brown or wild rice
2 cups mixed baby greens with 1 tablespoon low-fat Caesar dressing
1/2 cup all-fruit strawberry sorbet with 1 sliced pear.

SATURDAY

Breakfast
Frittata made with 3 large egg whites, 2 tablespoons diced bell peppers, 2 teaspoons chopped spinach, 2 tablespoons part-skim shredded mozzarella, and 2 teaspoons pesto 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1 small bran muffin
1 cup skim milk

Snack
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed and 1/2 cup diced pear

Lunch
4 ounces sliced turkey breast
Tomato-cucumber salad made with 5 slices tomato, 1/4 cup sliced cucumber, 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme, and 1 tablespoon fat-free Italian dressing
1 medium orange

Snack
Smoothie made with 3/4 cup skim milk, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt, and 1/4 cup sliced strawberries

Dinner
4 ounces red snapper baked with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon no-sodium seasoning
1 cup spaghetti squash with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 2 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup steamed green beans with 1 tablespoon slivered almonds.

SUNDAY

Breakfast
2 slices Canadian bacon
1 whole-grain toaster waffle with sugar-free fruit spread
3/4 cup berries
1 cup skim milk

Snack
1/4 cup fat-free cottage cheese with 1/4 cup cherries and 1 tablespoon slivered almonds

Lunch
Salad made with 2 cups baby spinach, 4 ounces grilled chicken, 1 tablespoon chopped dried cranberries, 3 slices avocado, 1 tablespoon slivered walnuts, and 2 tablespoons low-fat vinaigrette
1 apple
1 cup skim milk

Snack
1/4 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon sugar-free fruit spread and 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1/4 cup blueberries

Dinner
4 ounces lean pork tenderloin stir-fried with onions, garlic, broccoli, and bell pepper
1/2 cup brown rice
5 medium tomato slices with 1 teaspoon each chopped ginger, chopped cilantro, light soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar.

Source Article

The Power Of Green Tea

Green tea has been shown to speed up metabolic rates and increase energy expenditure during exercise in healthy adults. 

Additionally, a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that green tea increases fat oxidation during moderate exercise, improves insulin sensitivity and increases glucose tolerance, all of which can help prevent obesity.

But, as the school of hard knocks has taught us all, there is no magic bullet when it comes to our bodies and our health. While green tea can go a long way toward helping you reach your weight-loss goals, you can't use it in isolation. If you want to achieve a state of optimal health, it's important to incorporate other healthy diet and lifestyle changes into your routine as well. 

Exercise:  There is no aspect of life that can't be improved by moderate, regular exercise. Exercise can reduce your risk of cancer, lengthen your life, keep your brain sharp as you age and even help alleviate depression. Used in conjunction with green tea, exercise is also an excellent aid to weight loss. It burns excess calories, speeds up your metabolism and builds healthy muscle mass. And, since muscle mass itself burns more calories than other types of tissue, you will start a self-perpetuating cycle, making weight loss easier as you become more and more fit.

Drink, Drink & Drink:  All of your bodily processes, from digestion to blood circulation to the formation of essential hormones, depend on water. And you probably already know that it's important to replenish the fluids your body naturally loses by drinking plenty of water every day. But did you know that drinking water can help with weight loss too? A report published in Obesity has shown that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of water 30 minutes before each meal can decrease the total number of calories eaten in a day.

Avoid Processed Foods:  Most highly processed foods are high in salt, saturated fat, sugar and preservatives. They may also include harmful dyes and artificial chemical additives. It cannot be over emphasized that consuming processed foods will have strong negative consequences for both your weight-loss efforts and your overall health. 

Sleep:  A good night's sleep is an essential ingredient to general good health. It supports your immune system, helps you think clearly and allows your body to heal when you've been sick. Those all-important eight hours of rest can also aid in weight loss. Being well-rested gives you more energy the following morning, which allows you to incorporate more physical activities into your schedule, burning more unwanted calories.

Lack of sleep, conversely, can lead to weight gain. One study covered in the article "Study: Lack of Sleep Causes Weight Gain in Just a Few Days," posted by U.S. News and World Report, showed that, when study participants were sleep-deprived, they ate more carbohydrates and fats than usual and rapidly gained weight.






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