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I don’t know anyone who likes to diet. You’re miserable without your favorite foods, and don’t mind telling anyone who cares to listen. If you’re trying a low-carb diet, you’ll probably miss breads and starches. A low-fat diet may be better for your health, but if it doesn’t taste good, you may soon return to your old habit of overeating. Counting calories can be effective, but trying to keep track of every morsel you put in your mouth can give you a migraine.
Meal replacement diets are very popular, and you can choose a program like Slim-Fast™ where you just drink a shake for one or two meals, and have a low-calorie dinner. One benefit of this plan is that you don’t have to stress about what to pack for a work lunch. Put your shake in the refrigerator and when it is meal time you are good to go.
If a liquid meal is not your style, you can try pre-packaged meals from Nutrisystem ™ or South Beach.™ The entrees look delicious and you can choose from favorites such as pizza, lasagna, roasted turkey, or chicken parmesan.
You want to make sure that you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients that you need, so take the time to read the nutrition labels on your meal replacements.
Fiber is also important and to keep from getting too hungry between meals, choose a replacement that contains three to five grams. When you’re blending your shakes, cut up a few pieces of fruit or vegetables to add more fiber.
Eating healthy can be expensive, especially if you are replacing two meals. You can’t put a price on your health, so you need to find a way to work it into your budget. You won’t be making as many trips to the drive-thru, so you can use that money to fund your meal replacement diet.
Shakes are often unflavored, so here is your chance to get more creative. A few frozen berries can really add some good flavor, so pick your favorite and add to your shakes. Unsweetened almond milk or half a banana will also add delicious flavor.
Keep the calorie count between 250 and 350 calories. Most meals have a good protein count, and that also helps you feel more satisfied until the next meal.
You can order a few meal replacements to see which ones you like. You don’t want to feel deprived, or you may be tempted to raid the refrigerator or hit the drive-thru. After a good meal, you may feel like having dessert, and you can choose favorites such as an ice cream sandwich or a Chocolate Brownie Sundae.
Eating meals like this helps you form healthy habits, and when you return to a regular diet, you’ll know which foods to eat, and the proper portion sizes.
