Eating Plan = Life-Style Changes
Yesterday I mentioned that, in addition to my exercise plan, for the next 12 weeks I'll also be counting my food servings according to the eating plan based on the results of my genetic test. The eating plan was developed by Julianne Downes, registered dietitian and certified weight management trainer for Nutrilite Health Institute. The menus and recipes are based on official diabetic eating allowances. Here's the breakdown for my Carb Reducer daily menu and currently I'm eating 1200 calories per day (breakdowns are slightly different for higher caloric intakes).
What I should be eating:
-- 2 servings fruit
-- 3 servings dairy
-- 4 servings whole grain carbs
-- 4 servings vegetables
-- 4 servings protein
-- 7 servings healthy fats
Now, I know that this doesn't look too complicated ... but, let me just say ... 1) to eat ALL of this food in ONE day is quite challenging, actually. 2) what is included in each food group ended up being at all what I thought ...
For example, I had always thought that beans such as black beans, pinto beans, baked beans, great northern beans and the like were part of the protein group ... not so!!!! These are all in the CARB catagory ... shucks, 'cause I used to LOVE adding beans to salads, tacos and such and I LOVE eating hummus w/veggies as a snack ... veggies = ok; hummus = not so much **sigh**.
The protein group, in addition to lean meats and fish, includes cheeses, eggs and veggie-burger type products ... I was hoping the cheese was considered part of dairy ... oh well!!!!
Yet another surprise discovery: the healthy fats group DOES NOT include meats like I had assumed ... instead it consists of nuts, oils, salad dressings, and olives ... who knew!!!
Thankfully, the fruit, veggie, and dairy groups are pretty self-explanatory =)
So, I have truly had to make significant diet changes ... and really it has become a daily way of life because I want to be in the best health I can for the remaining years God allows me to have with my family. Now, this is not to say that I don't enjoy an occassional slice or 2 of pizza, chips & dip, or a bowl of ice cream ... but, believe it or not, these things don't sound as good most of the time like they did before. Though, when a craving does rear it's ugly head, watch out!!!! J/K 
... when a craving does hit or we are at a party or out to eat with friends, I take an extra dose of the weight management supplements included in my program just to make sure I don't absorb too many extra carbs and set myself back.
Yes, this weight management program has been quite the adventure so far ... many things learned along the way already that I didn't know before!!!! But, I feel great and am so excited about being in the best shape of my life, so it's all well, well worth the life adjustments, as it were.
Comments
I've also been meeting with nutritionist here in Lake Orion, MI that uses the diabetic food groups & guidelines. My plan is very similar except for the following: 3 lean protiens(4 oz each), 4 fruits, 1 healthy fat, and a total of 16 oz fat-free/low-fat dairy.
I was suprised too to see that cheese was listed as a protein (I thought that it would at least be a fat if not dairy) and also peanut butter is a fat and not a protein. I hardly ever eat pb now. Also corn and peas are carbs. Wow! (We don't eat those anymore either) lol.
I write down all the foods I eat in a journal and at the bottom I list out the category & quantity allowed and then under I mark them off. It helps me to know at quick glance what I have eaten and what is remaining. And you are right! It is tough to get in all those fruits and veggies every day! Well, keep up the good work - I look forward to reading your progress! :)
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