A Thousand Diets and So Little Time

Just for kicks tonight, I googled the word "diet". It yielded 89 pages of results. Estimate 10 results per page and one could safely say that organic search results yield roughly 890 websites . EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINETY.

So, I guess it is true that there are a thousand different ways to lose weight that range from the Ridiculous to the Righteous and from the easy to follow to the I need a PhD to understand this crap. Ultimately, it's a change in lifestyle that brings long term success. But, let's face it, some of us need a program to follow. We don't want to have to "think that hard" about losing weight. Don't we really just want it handed to us on a silver platter?

Alas, if only it was that easy. Most diets that are rooted in sound nutritional science are very similar. It's all in the packaging. The USDA has even gotten on the bandwagon and recently released ChooseMyPlate.gov. So, what does the government have to say about nutrition?

BALANCING CALORIES

- Enjoy your food, but eat less. (DUH)
- Avoid over sized portions

FOODS TO INCREASE
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Make at least half of your grains whole grains.
- Switch to fat free or Low fat (1%) Milk
 
FOODS TO REDUCE
- Compare foods and then choose those with lower sodium counts.
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks

Still confused? Take a deep breath and hear what all of these gurus, governments and fat whisperers are saying... WE MUST EAT LESS and MOVE MORE! Easy to say and hard as hell to do.

The hubs is following Weight Watchers Points Plus program. He's doing well and after almost three weeks, I've been sticking to a balanced 40/30/30 diet. I've lost 4lbs. He has lost 5 I think. I'm having to calculate the points of everything I cook for him so I might as well just count points right along with him.

Tonight's dinner which included Oven "fried" chicken drumsticks (skinless of course) and Tomato, Mozzarella and Balsmic Salad was a delicious 10 points.

Tomorrow, I'm making a Blackberry-Lemon Chiffon Pie which is 4 points per serving. I'll let you know how it works out. 

Cheers!
Margaret