Clean up your diet with a few simple tweaks.
Whether you've tried one too many fad diets, have fallen off the bandwagon, or just want tips for lifetime weight management, read on for my excuse-proof tips to help you flush the fat and stop the dieting merry-go-round.
1. Break that fast.
Think about it. You have been fasting for a good eight to 10 hours since eating dinner and going to sleep. Studies on both adults and children show that breakfast skippers have problems concentrating and a lack of sustainable energy. You'll be reaching for coffee, sweets, and sugar-laden energy drinks to give your blood sugar an immediate lift, but soon after you'll feel drained again and on the prowl for another sugar hit.
My solution: Find a powerhouse plant-based protein powder that is dairy-(including whey) and soy-free. I especially like a blend of brown rice and yellow pea protein because it provides a complete protein source of amino acids. Yellow pea is high in lysine, the amino acid typically deficient in brown rice, while brown rice provides the sulfur-bearing amino acids cysteine and methionine, which are lacking in yellow pea protein.
To make a lip-smacking smoothie, simply combine in a blender: One scoop protein powder, 8 ounces water or Fat Flush cran-water (1 ounce 100 percent unsweetened cranberry juice to 7 ounces water), 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit, 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil, 1 tablespoon flax or chia seeds, and ice cubes (if you'd like). Enjoy delicious satisfaction for three to four hours!
2. Eat all the colors of the rainbow.
You'll get all those stellar phytochemicals (think lycopene, lutein, and sulforaphane) in seasonal vegetables and fruits. Include at least two dark, leafy greens (like kale, collards, and romaine lettuce) and brightly pigmented vegetables and fruits (like tomatoes, fresh corn, oranges, and blueberries) to complement your daily intake of protein foods (omega-3 eggs, organic poultry, lean beef, deep sea fish, legumes, and tofu) and healthy fats (olive oil, walnuts, and chia seeds).
