Snack-All-Day Diet
 

I originally posted this in Calorie Counters but now I think it would be better posted here.

Hi all! I started this diet about 6 weeks ago and haven't cheated once (before I started the diet, if it wasn't nailed down, I ate it!). It's great for those, like me, who love to eat. Just Google Snack All Day diet (it's free and located at the Good HouseKeeping Web site). Be sure to download the free planner to get ideas for snacks (mini meals).

On this plan I usually have around 6 meals per day at around 200 calories -- 250 at a couple meals. I space them about 2 hours apart but sometimes go 3 hours if it's inconvenient to eat again in 2 hours. Here's a typical day for moi:

1. Meal replacement bar -- I love the Odwalla bars (Choco-walla and Banana)
2. Frappucino (I make my own most of the time but on occasion have Starbucks)
3. Turkey sandwich with fresh spinach and cranberry aioli (combine 1 Tbsp cranberry sauce with 1/2 T Hellman's Low-Fat mayo -- green lid -- and some fresh or dried choppped/crushed rosemary)
4. 1/4 cup Goobers (yes, chocolate covered peanuts!)
5. Mini taco salad (salad topped with taco-seasoned lean ground beef, light sour cream, salsa, and crushed Baked Tostito Scoops)
6. Grilled chicken with roasted summer squash and red bell peppers

I rarely feel hungry eating this way, and if I do, I know another meal is just around the corner. It's the easiest/bestest diet I've ever tried! I've lost around 20 lbs. thus far.

If anyone is interested, I can share my mini meal ideas.

this looks interesting!

thanks!

thanks for sharing-- I am going to look into this.

I'm a junior member, so I couldn't post a link -- but I will as soon as I'm able.

I'm anything but a junior member so here's the link:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/heal...-day-diet-plan

Thanks, Ruth! Have you ever tried ED Smith's low calorie pancake syrup? I understand it's great and ordered some from Canada. I sure hope it's all that because after shipping, I paid nearly $15 per bottle (ordered two bottles for the same shipping price).

I highly recommend you eat some form of protein for each snack on this plan -- even if it's nuts or milk. If I eat pure carbs, my insulin spikes and I get too hungry before my next snack. I had two 100 calorie packs of Cheez Its for my 5 p.m. snack and I was starving by 5:30. So I'm having grilled chicken and veggies for last snack at 7 p.m.

ToutDeSuite, I avoid substitute stuff like SF syrups. I find being used to the SF stuff, makes me less diligent when the real stuff comes around. Besides....I own and run a maple syrup operation with a partner.

I agree with the protein. I really need to eat it or I am so hungry.

Hm. I visted the link they posted and then compared it to what you've posted that you eat, and I'm seeing a big discrepancy here.

The diet posted on the GH website is extremely heavy in fresh, whole foods, veggies and whole grains - it looks like it's very much designed with a strong nutritional balance. They have made allowance for one "splurge" item a day - a Frappucino one day, a McDonalds yogurt parfait one day, 1/2 cup serving of light ice-cream/yogurt one day, a glass of wine one day, etc.

There is no place on the diet that says you should have a meal replacement bar for breakfast, a Frappucino for a snack, AND Goobers (or other candy) on the same day. And I don't see where you're consuming any measurable volume of the "free" veggies that are part of the diet.

I dunno. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for people finding a diet that works for them! But I don't think that the changes you've made are ones that you can sustain nutritionally speaking for the long term.

I also eat 6-7 times a day (which means I eat all the time! :D) but, as with the GH plan, it's rarely packaged or processed.

OTOH, I gotta say that some of those recipes and items look REALLY good. The honeydew lime soup sounds divine! And some of the things they suggest for snacks are combinations I haven't thought of before and will be adding to my own plan.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a downer here. :) I am *very* glad that the diet is working for you. I just think you should consider toning back your modifications of the diet and working towards including the healthier options that the diet originally proposes, rather than substituting for Frapps, candy, and snacks for more than 1x per day.

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Photo, I tweaked the plan so that it's do-able for me. And making my own frappucino with 1 cup of 1% milk, some cappucino powder and Splenda, as well as Goobers and an Odwalla bar keep me from falling. I don't consider these items unhealthy -- everything in moderation. Nor do I follow plans to the T. I adjust it so that it's something I can live with for the rest of my life. In fact, my fave quote and one I plan to put in my profile as soon as I figure out how, is: Never start a diet you can't live with for the rest of your life. I know me and I know if I feel deprived, I'm going to cheat/fail.

If you go back and look at day one of the planner, you'll see a Clif bar and light ice cream for that day. Meal replacement bars are convenient for this working girl so I use them daily. Also day six includes fast food and a treat (e.g., wine) as well. And if you take another look at my typical day, you'll see I had fresh spinach on my turkey sandwich, a taco salad (bibb lettuce and tomato), and squash and bell pepper with my chicken. I often have fresh fruit too, but not everyday.

I'm a chocoholic and have lost over 100 lbs. eating chocolate everyday. But I include protein with my chocolate (e.g., chocolate covered peanuts or almonds) because I know that I can keep my cravings in check by having some protein at every meal -- especially with refined carbs. When I researched the value of eating low glycemic foods, I learned that one can have sugar in moderation, and if it is consumed along with protein, it will prevent those insulin spikes that cause cravings and hunger pangs when you're not really hungry. And a 1/4 cup serving of Goobers is 210 calories -- not a lot more calories than a 1/4 cup serving of plain nuts. When I started this journey, I asked myself what I couldn't live without and it was unanimous -- moi, myself, and I chose chocolate!

I had lost a total of 122 lbs. but fell off the wagon because I got away from what worked for me because I was seduced by some diet or another, and ended up binge eating again and gaining back some weight because I felt deprived on those other plans. Then a friend gave me a copy of the Good Housekeeping Snack-All-Day diet -- a plan similar to the one I used to lose 122 lbs. And I've been back on track for over 6 weeks now and I'm in losing mode again!

My typical day changes daily, but I usually have a meal replacement bar, a frappucino and Goobers everyday. The other three meals normally consist of protein, veggies, and fruit. I have yet to combine meals on the weekends as the plan suggests because 6 meals per day is working for me. But I'm sure I will use that option on special occasions.

This is what works for me. If I feel deprived I'm not going to stick with it in the long run. And my Odwalla bars, fraps, and Goobers keep me from feeling deprived.

Testing siggy

I hate artificially flavored pancake syrup! But I miss French toast (I make mine with 50 calorie per slice whole wheat bread, egg, and vanilla and cinnamon), but at 100 calories for 2 Tbsp of regular syrup, 1/2 of my calories are shot for a mini meal. My friend in Canada assures me the ED Smith pancake syrup sweetened with fruit juice and Splenda tastes close to the real thing. And at only 20 calories for 2 Tbsp. I can have French toast again. If this syrup isn't to my liking (I ordered it and haven't yet received it), I guess I'll try diluting some spreadable fruit with a little water to make it the consistency of syrup.

I am going to have to try your Frappucino recipe. Have you found one brand of the cappucino powder better than the other?

I agree with you that I have to have some chocolate everyday or I will cheat on the diet. I use fiber one bars for breakfast alot of times, I will have to try the Odwalla bar.

Bev

I love Caffe D'Vita Mocha Cappucino mix -- it comes in a 16 oz. can. You may have to shop around for it -- some stores carry it, others don't. I use 2 Tbsp. of the mix to 3/4 - 1 cup of milk, some Splenda to taste and ice. I whirl this in the blender until the ice is crushed and it's yummy! The calorie total is a little more than 200, but I have up to 250 calories for a couple meals each day. And it's worth the extra calories because I'm getting a full serving of milk.

I've only been able to find the Odwalla bars at Whole Foods. I've tried a few of the flavors and the only ones I like are the Choco-walla and the Banana. Although not as sweet, I also dig the Clif Peanut Chocolate Chip bars.

Arn't Frapps high in sugar? This sounds too dreamy.

Kelly

Two Tbsp of the frap mix I use has 10 gm of sugar.

I just checked out the Caffe D'vita Web site and they now have a sugar-free version: http://www.caffedvita.com/ (click on Sugar Free). I hope my store starts carrying them.

Okay, I just checked out the calories on the sugar-free version for 2 Tablespoons, and the regular version is only 15 more calories for the same amount.

What kind of exercise are you doing?

I love to walk, but it's been so hot, humid, stormy, and buggy (I live in FL) lately. I have been doing Pilates and lifting light weights about 3 times per week. I'm also thinking about doing yoga until the weather is more cooperative.

I know what you mean about the weather. Where I live we have about a week of good weather!
Off topic...Sorry!! But since you mention pilates and light weights have you tried crunch burn and firm pilates? It brings the two together... and it's pretty awesome.

No, I've never heard of it. I'll check it out.

What lifestyle (diet) plan are you on, raw?

Yeah, I walked a couple days last week and ran into swarms of knats on one of those days. I ended up with two in my eyes, one up my nose (breathed it in), and several drowned in the pool of sweat around my neck. I think I'll add yoga to my routine until the weather cools down (the bugs aren't a problem then).

Oh.... I'm kinda doing the LA Weight loss thing. I did it years ago and it worked. 2 servings of protein, 1 serving bread, 1 serving dairy, 1 serving fat, and at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies. Doesn't seem to be working now though. I'm a little frustrated.
I like your snack all day thing. Still working for you?

My weight loss has slowed down, and I didn't lose anything the week TOM came to visit (last week), but I checked yesterday (while still on TOM) and I'm down another pound. I try not to weigh often so that I don't get discouraged if I plateau. So I'll weigh again this weekend.

Never heard of TOM or know what it stands for... but I think I know what your talking about.
What type of mini meals do you do?

TOM is short for time of month. And I lost 5 lbs. the week before, so a plateau the following week isn't surprising.

Check out this thread for some of my mini meal ideas. http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151115

I try to have some protein at every snack, even if it's just the protein that comes from milk. I find that having some protein keeps me satisfied longer. But occasionally, I have a carb-rich snack, and have found it best to have them only at my last snack of the day when I'm not feeling hungry. If I am feeling hungry, I'll opt for another protein-rich snack.

All I know is, I miss sweets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!! It is getting easier everyday, well, only on day 3, but, I am surprised I made it this far.. I like the GH plan-sounds doable.. will have to check it out.. sometimes you do have to tweak and turn things around a little.. something has to work, right? ha

I believe what works is an individual thing, Almost40. What works for me or another may or may not work for you. Do give this plan a try, but if it doesn't work, NEVER give up. Keeping trying until you find something that does!

Wow, awesome link! Thanks!

This sounds a lot like intuitive eating....eating when you're hungry until you're satisfied. I eat like you describe and have lost about 30lb all the while taking prednisone with 30 to go. I'd still be above the 115 I weighed in hs but I'm sure everyone would think I was thin enough. ha! I'm 5ft. 4in. and almost 60 yr. old. I'm with you on chocolate but I know if I eat something often enough I really get tired of it.

I want to add that this plan is also working for me. I can't believe that I have not been binging or snacking endlessly at night or in the afternoon.

Bev

I am so happy to hear it's working for you, Bev! I was binge eating too before I started this plan. I felt so out of control! But I think it's the combination of eating smaller portions (larger portions seem to trigger binge eating for me), and eating all the time. Like I said, if I feel hungry, which is rare, I know another meal is just around the corner!

I found some Hills Bros. cappucino mix today but I haven't tried it. I'll give you all my review when I do. I got the mocha flavor, but the english toffee flavor looks yummy too! And it's only 110 calories for 3 Tbsp.

Come to find out, I had some Hills Bros. English Toffee cappucino in my cupboard. It's been awhile since I last had it, and I've only had it hot (made with water), but boy is it yummy! Next time I try it, I'll make it cold with milk and ice in the blender.

great ideas--thanks for the info

Happy to help!

another good drink( I made it with milk) is General Internation on the go cafe mocha, Vanilla Latte, and hazelnut cappuccino.

Mmmm... I used to be able to find the Caffe D'Vita in White Chocolate -- that's yummy too!

I made a very low calorie tamale pie for dinner tonight. Here's the recipe.

Brown 1 lb. extra lean ground beef with some onion (I used dried minced onion). When almost done, stir in 2/3 cup frozen corn kernels. Next add 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 Tbsp taco seasoning mix, and 2 Tbsp. salsa. Pour this mixture into a pie plate or casserole dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Blend with a spoon, 1 pkg. Betty Crocker Authentic Cornbread and Muffin Mix with 2 egg whites and 3 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce. Spread cornbread mixture evenly over the top of the meat mixture. Bake at 350F degrees for 20 minutes.

Makes 6 servings at about 230 calories per serving.