First we need to clear this up. What is a diet. A diet is the food and drink that a person or animal regularly consumes. Its the way you eat,, period, its not a fad or temporary way of eating specificlly to lose weight or gain weight for that matter. So that being said, to start your new diet,, you’re starting a new lifestyle (so to speak)… I know that may sound a little overwhelming, but, all you’re doing is putting different food in the pantry…

When starting a new diet it’s good to begin with a clean out cycle. Some people call this a detox; some call it a cleanse. Whatever you want to call it the goal is to clean out your digestive system. While the length of this cycle can vary based on how you feel, it can also be followed long term for it is a healthy way to eat. 

I would follow the Clean out cycle guidelines for 10 days then move on to part 2..

Guidelines on what to eat and what not to:

Do not eat or drink the following during the Clean out Cycle:

White rice, bread, meat, fish, chicken, pasta, cheese, ice cream, egg yolks, coffee, alcohol, soda, whole milk, or sport drinks.

Eat and drink the following:

Fruit, vegetables, brown rice, egg whites, beans, yogurt, oatmeal, tofu, water, skim, almond, or soy milk, herbal tea.

Food should be eaten raw, grilled or steamed. Do not eat fried, deep fried, or fast food. You should also avoid processed foods. When eating salads use olive oil and vinegar as dressing.

Eat every 3 to 4 hours whether or not you feel hungry. Drink lots of water throughout the day.

Sample menu for a day

Breakfast:  4 egg whites, 1 banana, and glass of almond milk

Snack: yogurt and fruit

 Lunch: 1 cup brown rice w/ beans, vegetables, and fruit

Snack: fruit, 1 cup of oatmeal

Diner: 1 cup brown rice w/ beans, vegetables, and a glass of skim milk

Snack: yogurt and fruit

Part 2

After your first 10 days on the clean out cycle, we move on to Part 2 where we begin to bring back some foods that were of limits, this is the start of a long-term lifestyle modification. 

Here we follow the same basic rules as the clean-out cycle.

Do not eat or drink the following:

White rice, white bread,white  pasta, ice cream, egg yolks, alcohol, soda, whole milk, or sport drinks.

The following foods are now on the eat list:

• Fish
• Chicken
• Lean meat
• Cheese
• Whole grain cereal
• Whole wheat bread
• Whole grain pasta
• Coffee or tea (limit one cup daily)
• Peanut butter
• Plus all the foods on the original list

Sample menu for a day:

Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal, fruit, 1 cup coffee

Snack: 1 slice whole wheat toast w/1 tablespoon of peanut butter, fruit, glass of soy milk

Lunch: 1 cup brown rice w/white beans, grilled chicken salad*

Snack: yogurt, fruit

Dinner: 1 cup brown rice, vegetables, tofu

Snack: 1 bowl of whole grain cereal w/skim milk

*Remember when eating salad to use olive oil and vinegar or low fat dressing.

Sample Shopping list

Oatmeal

Cheerio’s

Sprouted grain bread

Earth Balance butter

Eggs

Yogurt

Quinoa

Natural peanut butter

Almond butter

Brown rice

Bulgar wheat

Lettuce

Red peppers

Green peppers

Orange peppers

Spinach

Kale

Tomato

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Mushrooms

Eggplant

Cucumber

Onions

Sweet potato

Beets

Apples

Pears

Grapes

Watermelon

Honeydew

Canalope

Almonds

Walnuts

Brown rice pasta

Chicken

Now remember I’m vegan now.. There are lots of foods I eat that are not on the eat list, and theres food I don’t eat that are on this list..  I will follow this up with a Vegan version soon…