Some of the processed foods went buh-bye this week, and kudos on that effort!

But dude, bread is a processed food. So are sugary cereals. So are granola bars. So is pancake mix. You did make an effort, to be sure, but it seems as though you decided to play a game where you didn’t know the rules. White foods, like bread, kiddie cereals, granola bars, buns and mixes are essentially sugar to your body with a lot of sodium thrown in. No nutritive value and empty calories. There’s room for ‘fun food’ in every eating plan, but not at every meal.

At the beginning of the week, you seemed to be working on getting some fruits in there, and kudos on that as well!

The veggies seem to have gone AWOL. I know you are focusing on one thing a week, so it’s not a major issue, but one to keep in mind.

Ellen has some really good replacement ideas up there. What I really like about them is: she’s focusing on getting more protein in there and she is focusing on carbs that give you some nutrition and fiber. You can have carbs-in fact you NEED them-but life is easier when they give you something back.

Sorry if I sound ad though I’m carping. You have had tremendous success and I know it’s been a tremendous amount of work on your part to achieve it. But as you get nearer to your goal, you will have to fine-tune the eating plan to continue to lose and feel satisfied. We all want you to succeed, and are just trying to alert you to the monster around the corner. Don’t let it get you!

I have a couple ideas on how to make your diet easier and more filling:

– Replace your high-carb, low-protein breakfasts (like processed, sugary cereal), with a big scramble made with eggs or tofu, sweet potatoes (super vegetable high in fiber and nutrients), onions, red peppers, broccoli, etc. You will be amazed how much more filling and satisfying this will be. The protein and fiber will keep you full, and it is awesome knowing you made a healthy meal for yourself.

– Instead of going for your ritual sandwich and chips or cheeseburger and fries for lunch, you can easily pack a lower-calorie wrap made with a tortilla, lettuce, veggies, and lean protein.

– If you think you can handle it, consider trying vegetarianism. Not only will you be more conscious of what goes into the food you are eating (you will have to check ingredient lists), you will naturally consume fewer calories. Your best bet is to replace the protein you get from meat with beans and lentils, which are high-fiber, low-fat and low-calorie, as well as meat replacements such as tofu, seitan and tempeh. You can also enjoy healthier versions of food you love– for example, instead of a cheeseburger and fries, try a grilled veggie burger on a whole-wheat bun, and replace the fries with a baked potato. It will be more filling, with hundreds fewer calories.

boiled egg
english muffin with light mayo
slice of turkey
slice of cheese