The alli Diet Plan: Your Essential Guide to Success with alli
5. A glass of water
Also consider
If you have calories and fat left over from your meal target, you may choose a glass of wine, a small dessert or a piece of chocolate. See Chapter 9 for some ideas.
Snacks Blueprint
Often the best snack is a piece of fruit along with a glass of water, but you can have a range of different types of snacks – provided they contain less than 3g of fat and are ideally 150kcal.
Remember that by choosing something that is low in GI then you are going to stay feeling fuller for longer.
Food and Your Mind
Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows how powerful your mind can be in constantly reminding you about how hungry you are, and making foods that are off-limits seem even more attractive than usual.
While is it not possible here to provide a comprehensive guide to the psychology of dieting, there are many tips that will help you on your way.
1. Set yourself a realistic goal, and write it down. Goals can be very personal – perhaps to wear a particular favourite outfit again, to return to your pre-pregnancy body weight, or to be ready for that holiday you are planning. Keep your goal with you so you can refer to it in moments of self-doubt.
2. Try to work out what role foods plays in your life – is it a comfort when you are unhappy or stressed? Do you eat when you are bored? By thinking this through you may be able to avoid falling into the trap of eating when you are not really hungry.
3. Plan your meals in advance, and make a note every day of what you ate and drank, your activity level and how you felt that day. Look back at it often to see if there are any links between your mood and what you did or ate. When you are feeling tempted to give up, focus on the good days and take strength from your previous successes.
4. Think about how you eat, and modify those things that are not helpful. For example if you tend to snack when you are preparing dinner, chop up carrot sticks in advance to munch on. If you are a habitual car-snacker, train yourself not to eat while in the car, perhaps drinking water instead. Have a proper meal time at the dining table rather than grazing while at the computer or watching TV. Developing these sorts of habits takes time but is worth the effort.
5. Be positive about yourself and what you are doing. Having a positive mental attitude can work wonders. Believe in yourself, and surround yourself with others who will support you.
6. When you are tempted, remind yourself how well you are doing, not listening to the negative voice within, and focus on the goal you have set yourself. If you do succumb to temptation, don’t give up. Just keep going, focusing again on your goal.
7. Don’t forget the psychological benefit of being active. Go for a 10-minute brisk walk rather than 10 minutes of munchies. Enlist family and friends to exercise with you, and make this a regular event.
8. Talk positively to people – including yourself – about what you are doing. This will help strengthen your willpower and remind you of the benefits of your diet rather than feeling it is all about giving up things.
Chapter 3 The Menu Plans
In this chapter you will find a range of different menu plans to help guide you through and beyond the time you are dieting. There are menu plans to fit the different calorie and fat bands of your diet. Included here are four weeks of daily menus for the 1400-calorie diet, the one that is most commonly followed. Additionally there is one menu plan per week for each of the 1200-, 1600- and 1800-calorie diets. These plans may also be useful if you are just starting out on the diet, or are coming to the end of your diet and want to maintain weight rather than lose it.
The menu plans can be used in several ways. When dieting, some people like to know exactly what they can eat down to the last lettuce leaf. If you are one of those people the menu plans are perfect, as they describe each meal and snack. They provide links to the recipes in Chapter 4 (the recipe name is in italics). If there is a meal you don’t fancy, you can find a substitute by looking at Chapter 4, by searching for a ready-prepared option in Chapter 6 or by putting ingredients from Chapter 9 together.
Other people use menu plans for inspiration, gleaning ideas for meals but making up their own menus. If this is the way you like to diet, then you can easily find information to suit your calorie and fat targets by using chapters 4, 6 and 9. It is worth writing down your own menu plan so you can check that you keep within your fat and calorie targets.
A Reminder of the Fat and Calorie Targets
The table that follows shows you the maximum number of calories and grams of fat you can eat. The menu plans are worked out on a daily basis, so use the information in the first two columns. If you are making up your own meal plans, you will need to ensure that you keep to the fat targets for each meal or snack.
Menu Plan Instructions
The table below suggests how you may break your daily fat and calorie allowance down.
• Each day you should have 300ml skimmed milk (or non dairy equivalent) for cereals, drinks and in cooking. (This helps ensure you are having adequate calcium.) Measure it out at the start of the day, so you know how much you are using.
• Drink at least 1.5 litres (6 x250ml glasses) of water a day in addition to other drinks. You may have low calorie squashes and unsweetened herb or fruit teas in addition to tea and coffee, but do not forget to count in sugar or milk you are adding.
• Drinks such as juices, smoothies and alcoholic drinks all add calories so unless stated are not included in the menu plans.
• Make sure you measure everything out. The menu plans give weights and, where appropriate, household measures.
• Recipes from the book are shown in italic text. If you don’t like the recipe, simply find another with similar fat and calories by looking at the charts at the end of Chapter 4, by choosing a ready made option from one of the supermarkets or by using Chapter 9 to construct your own meal.
1400-calorie Diet 1400kcal, 48g fat per day Week 1Day 1
Breakfast 50g extra-fruit muesli; 125g low-fat fruit yogurt. Mid-morning 1 medium banana. Midday meal 1 (64g) wholemeal wrap; 2 tsp (10g) olive spread, 35g honey-roast salmon flakes, sliced cucumber; 1 apple. Afternoon Glass of milk from daily allowance. Evening meal 1 portion Fresh Pea and Ham Risotto; salad of watercress and 4 cherry tomatoes; Oranges with Fresh Dates and Honey Yogurt. Nutrition 1400kcal, 32g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 2
Breakfast 1 piece Spelt and Walnut Scone Round; 30g medium-fat soft cheese; 200ml glass orange juice. Mid-morning 1 digestive biscuit. Midday meal 1 portion Watercress Soup with 25g grated reduced-fat cheddar; granary roll thinly spread with 1 tsp (5g) polyunsaturated spread and 1 slice lean ham; 1 medium pear. Afternoon 80g grapes. Evening meal Hot Garlicky King Prawn Salad; 1 pot crème caramel with 100g strawberries topped with 1tbsp (30g) Greek yogurt. Nutrition 1378kcal, 42g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.Week 1
Day 3
Breakfast 1 boiled egg; 2 slices wholemeal toast with 2 tsp (10g) olive spread; 150g melon cubes. Mid-morning Glass of milk from daily allowance. Midday meal Subway 6-inch Sub Steak and cheese; 250ml pressed apple juice. Afternoon 40g carrot sticks with 2 breadsticks. Evening meal 1 portion Home-made Burgers with Spicy Potato Wedges with 1 portion Raspberry Salsa; 50g salad leaves; large slice (100g) fresh pineapple. Nutrition 1400kcal, 38.5g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 4
Breakfast 30g branflakes with 3 chopped walnut halves and 30g (1 tbsp) sultanas; skimmed milk from daily allowance. Mid-morning 150g carton low-fat fruit yogurt. Midday meal 300ml Carrot and coriander soup (e.g. M&S); ciabatta roll (70g) spread with 2 tsp olive spread (10g); 25g premium ham; 1 apple. Afternoon 200ml pressed unsweetened apple juice. Evening meal 1 portion Spicy Lamb with 40g (dry weight) basmati rice; 50g plain naan bread; Raita made with 25g grated cucumber and 1 tbsp (35g) low-fat yogurt, black pepper. Nutrition 1416kcal, 37.4g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 5
Breakfast 2 slices (72g) granary toast with 2 tsp (10g) olive spread and marmalade; 250ml mango and passion fruit smoothie. Mid-morning Hot-chocolate drink made from 18g reduced-fat chocolate powder and milk from allowance. Midday meal 1/2 Pizza Express La Reine (141g) with salad of 4 cherry tomatoes, handful (40g) leaves and 1 tbsp fat-free dressing. Afternoon 80g fresh raspberries or other seasonal fruit. Evening meal 1 portion Cherry Tomato and Smoked Haddock Kedgeree; small pot (45g) chocolate mousse (e.g. M&S). Nutrition 1415kcal, 37.4g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 6
Breakfast Grapefruit, either half, or 120g drained, canned in juice; porridge using 45g oats, milk from allowance; top with 1 tbsp (20g) honey and 15g toasted almonds. Mid-morning 1 medium orange or 2 clementines. Midday meal Salad made with 30g lettuce, 1 medium tomato, 4 radishes, 1 nectarine and 54g (7) mozzarella pearls (tiny balls); 1 tbsp (15g) balsamic glaze; ½ baguette (67g). Afternoon Glass of milk from allowance. Evening meal 90g pasta – e.g. fusilli tricolore with Pasta Sauce with Mediterranean Vegetables; 1 dsp (10g) grated parmesan. Nutrition 1392kcal, 36.3g fat and 6 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 7
Breakfast 40g Crunchy oat cereal with honey and almond with milk from allowance; 200ml glass unsweetened orange juice. Mid-morning 80g grapes. Midday meal Panini roll (85g) filled with 30g slice ham, 35g grated mozzarella and 1 tsp (5g) caramelized onion chutney;1 pear. Afternoon Glass of milk from allowance. Evening meal 100g portion of Citrus Couscous; 130g roasted chicken without skin; 90g green beans; small scoop (75g) chocolate ice cream. Nutrition 1414kcal, 38g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.Also included: each day you may have 300ml skimmed milk (or non-dairy equivalent) for cereals and drinks. Drink at least 1.5 litres (6 x 250ml glasses) of water a day. Drinks such as juices, smoothies, alcohol etc. are not included unless stated.
1400-calorie Diet 1400kcal, 48g fat per day Week 2Day 1
Breakfast 1 large boiled egg with 2 crumpets spread with 2 tsp (10g) olive spread and scraping yeast extract; 1 large satsuma. Mid-morning 1 Maple and Raisin Drop Scone spread with 15g (1 level tbsp) extra-light soft cheese. Midday meal 1 portion Pea Soup with Pesto Croute; 1 slice wholemeal bread with 1 tsp (5g) olive spread; 1 pear. Afternoon Glass of milk from allowance. Evening meal 1 portion Turkey Steak with Crumb and Sundried TomatoTopping; 120g boiled new potatoes; 120g fresh fruit salad with 1 scoop (60g) reduced-fat ice cream. Nutrition 1405kcal, 42g fat and 5 to 6 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 2
Breakfast 150g carton low-fat fruit yogurt with 100g fresh berries and 1 tbsp (16g) sunflower seeds. Mid-morning Glass of milk from allowance. Midday meal Smoked Trout Sandwich with Horseradish and Lamb’s Lettuce (or retail equivalent, providing about 310kcal and 7.7g fat); 25g bag low-fat crisps e.g Walkers Baked; 1 medium apple. Afternoon 30g sultanas or other dried fruit. Evening meal 1 portion Simple Cod Bake; 175g potatoes mashed with 2 tsp (10g) olive spread and milk from allowance; 100g peas. Nutrition 1400kcal, 33.6g fat and 6 portions of fruit and vegetables.Week 2
Day 3
Breakfast Half a grapefruit; 50g bowl extra-fruit muesli with 10 (20g) almonds, chopped with milk from allowance. Mid-morning 1 cereal bar (e.g. Cheerios bar). Midday meal 1 portion Curried Parsnip and Apple Soup; 70g piece of baguette with 25g brie and half a red pepper cut into strips. Afternoon Glass of milk from allowance. Evening meal 75g pasta shapes with 1 portion Pasta Sauce with Artichokes and Peppers; 15g (1 heaped tbsp) grated parmesan; side salad of leaves, cucumber and grated carrot; 150g slice melon with 1 tsp chopped stem ginger in syrup. Nutrition 1405kcal, 43.5g fat and 6 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 4
Breakfast 1 Cheese and Apple Scone with 2 tsp (10g) olive spread and 1 medium apple, sliced. Mid-morning 200ml mango and passion fruit smoothie. Midday meal Bruschetta with Mozzarella, Basil and Tomatoes; 80g strawberries topped with 1 level tbsp (15g) half-fat sour cream and 1 tsp sugar. Afternoon 1 carrot cut into batons. Evening meal 1 portion Sunflower Seed-coated Chicken with Yogurt Herb Salad; 50g warmed ciabatta drizzled with 1 tsp olive oil; 1 portion Autumn Fruit Salad. Nutrition 1396kcal, 39.1g fat and 7 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 5
Breakfast 1 portion Four-grain Porridge with Apricots with 14g (4 halves) walnut halves, chopped, and 1 tsp (8g) runny honey. Mid-morning Glass of milk from allowance. Midday meal Sandwich – e.g Piquant Egg and Watercress (or bought equivalent – 365kcal and 11.3g fat). Afternoon 200ml unsweetened orange juice. Evening meal 1 portion Monkfish and Prawn Kebabs with 1 portion Coconut Rice; 90g steamed green beans; 1 portion Bramley and Mango Brûlée. Nutrition 1394kcal, 35.6g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 6
Breakfast 2 Buttermilk Pancakes with 3 tsp maple syrup, 1 chopped banana and 1 rounded tbsp half-fat sour cream. Mid-morning Glass of milk from allowance. Midday meal 1 portion Hot Garlicky King Prawn Salad; 1 sultana cookie (M&S) or equivalent. Afternoon 80g grapes. Evening meal 1 portion Chinese-style Soup with Tiny Pork Balls; 1 portion Steak and Mangetout Stir-fry. Nutrition 1381kcal, 33.6g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.Day 7
Breakfast 2 slices lean back bacon, grilled with 1 tomato; 2 small slices (50g) wholemeal bread, toasted and spread with 2 tsp (10g) olive spread. Mid-morning 200ml orange or other unsweetened juice. Midday meal Mexican Chicken in Chocolate with 1 portion Warm Potato Salad with Herbs; 1 serving Sweetcorn Salsa and 90g steamed green beans. Afternoon 150g pot virtually fat-free yogurt. Evening meal 1 portion Creamy Cherry Tomato Soup; 1 serving Apple and Cranberry Crisp. Nutrition 1410kcal, 39g fat and 6 portions of fruit and vegetables.Also included: each day you may have 300ml skimmed milk (or non-dairy equivalent) for cereals and drinks. Drink at least 1.5 litres (6 x 250ml glasses) of water a day. Drinks such as juices, smoothies, alcohol etc. are not included unless stated.
1400-calorie Diet 1400kcal, 48g fat per day Week 3Day 1
Breakfast 50g muesli with 1 tbsp (16g) sunflower seeds and 125g pot plain low-fat yogurt. Mid-morning 1 medium satsuma. Midday meal 1 portion Asparagus and Egg Salad with Baby New Potatoes; 2 medium plums. Afternoon 1 digestive biscuit. Evening meal 1 portion Spaghetti with Chilli Prawns; 1 portion Fruits of the Forest Soufflé. Nutrition 1400kcal, 40.7g fat and 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.