CheekyChicago

Happy Holidays!

Now, let’s be honest: no matter how much advice your health freak may dish out… ’tis still the season for office goodies, cocktail parties, and being snowed in.

When the panic of tight jeans sets in, I’ve got the latest “diet” craze making headlines and it promises to snap you back into shape just in time for some New Year’s Eve Champagne.

The Flat Belly Diet

I saw this diet on The Today Show and was intrigued by the “sassy” water – made from a mix of cucumber, ginger, mint, and cayenne pepper – that’s required during the “Jumpstart” phase of the four-week plan.

The diet kicks-off with four days of anti-bloating jumpstart meals and promises to help you drop 15 pounds in 32 days.

Their “shtick” is eating a MUFA at every meal. Before you start picturing a gross wafer or weird pill, let me explain.

MUFA stands for good fats – the kind you find in almonds, olive oil, avocado, and chocolate. The plan actually requires a MUFA at every meal, and credits the success of the plan to the fact that the good fats leave you feeling satisfied and less likely to fall off the diet wagon.

Here’s a sample day on the plan:

Breakfast

Banana Waffle

1 frozen Lifestream Organic Flax Plus Waffle topped with 1/2 cup sliced banana and sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 Tbsp. MUFA-rich pecans.

Lunch

Flat Belly Tacos

4 warm corn tortillas filled evenly with 1/2 cup microwaved Boca Ground Burger Crumbles, and topped with 1/2 cup fresh baby spinach leaves, 1/4 cup salsa, and 1/4 cup MUFA-rich sliced avocado.

Dinner

Salmon Steak

3 oz. grilled wild Alaskan salmon served with 1 1/2 cups frozen Cascadian Farm Organic Cut Green Beans, steamed or microwaved, and dressed with freshly ground white pepper and 2 Tbsp. MUFA-rich sliced almonds.

To be honest, this diet really isn’t reinventing anything we haven’t heard before. BUT, it does encourage healthy, whole foods and offers a structured plan, which a lot of us need in order to have success. So ditch the leftovers and have an extra helping of MUFA!