A Slimmer You... Diets? They’re often unhealthy hunger-fests. For you instead: a satisfying meal plan that slims you with seriously energizing and nutritious eats. Start by following the key strategies, along with our week-long, 1,300-calorie-a-day kickstart. When you add in exercise (at least four weekly 45-minute moderate-to-intense cardio sessions), you can knock off up to 12 pounds in 30 days! Get-slim golden rules 1. Grab fresh, in-season eats whenever possible. You’ll get the most nutrients for your buck, and these picks will energize you and keep your metabolism humming, says Jackie Newgent, RD. 2. Sip mainly calorie-free drinks. Go for water, tea, and coffee to save hundreds of cals. 3. Eat with real plates and silverware (no takeout containers!), and you’ll feel more content. Now take a peek at the totally yummy foods you get to chow down on. Breakfast About 400 calories (Choose 1 daily) Blueberry Cooler and Cranberry Muffin Puree 1 cup each frozen blueberries and 1 percent low-fat milk, 1/3 cup diced fresh pineapple, 11⁄2 tablespoons honey, and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract into a creamy beverage. Enjoy with 1 small (2-ounce) cranberry muffin, such as CranBran VitaTops. English Muffin Deluxe Split and toast 1 whole-wheat English muffin, spreading both halves with 1 tablespoon blackberry jam. Enjoy with 2 1/2 ounces poultry sausage, such as Aidells Organic Chicken and Apple Breakfast Links, and half of a large pink grapefruit drizzled with 1/2 teaspoon honey. On-The-Go Oats Have 1 fast-food oatmeal(around 340 calories), such as Jamba Juice Berry Cherry Pecan. Pair with 8 ounces coffee, flavored with 1/4 cup 1 percent low-fat milk and a dash of cinnamon. Heat 'N' Eat Prepare 1 (300- to 320-calorie) organic or 'all-natural' frozen entree (choose an item that doesn’t contain the word "artificial" in its ingredient list), such as Cedarlane Uncured Turkey Bacon, Vegetable & Cheese Egg White Omelette, or Helen’s Kitchen Breakfast Burrito. Have with 1 small banana and 1 cup unsweetened iced jasmine green tea, garnished with 1 lemon wedge. Farmers' Market Egg Sandwich Prepare 1 egg, omelet-style, in 1 teaspoon olive oil with 2 minced sun-dried tomato halves. Season with sea salt and black pepperto taste, and place between 2 slices whole-grain toast. Serve with 1 1/2 ounces soft goat cheese, 1 cup loosely packed fresh baby arugula or other leafy greens, 4 thin slices zucchini, and a squirt of fresh lemon juice. Greek Yogurt Sundae In a bowl, layer 1 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup granola and 1 cup sliced kiwifruit. Sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg. Source
