Kacy Carr asked:


Did you ever hear the likes, a “chocolate diet?” Brace yourself because you hear right. Chocolate acts as a vitamin replacement; if this is true then healthy benefits derived from this particular diet may not be so bad after all

The chocolate diet is just one of many fad diets which include you eating favorite foods. While consuming your specified amount of yummy allowance keep in mind it is supposed to control high blood pressure and prevent heart disease. Although encouraging reasons for using the diet, what of rotting teeth and the people who bang weight on if they as much look at a bar of chocolate.

The diet mainly consists of fluids. Powder or supplements are given to the dieter to mix with milk or water. Is this not cocoa as we all know it?

Chocolate contains anti-oxidants that help prevent arteries clogging. Does this not leave the dieter in a catch 22 situation after being advised to avoid sugary foods because of fattening issues? Weighing up the good and bad is it not healthier to carry a little excess weight to avoid pores clogging or having a heart attack. Chocolate prevents heart disease and obesity increases the risk of heart disease. Is obesity not the same as fat? I am confused.

Chocolate powder shakes are not for replacing or substituting meals, but designed as healthy snacks to stop a rumbling belly. Is this diet so bad when the sugar supply gives us that much needed energy boost?

The question is does the chocolate diet work.. It’s not clear that chocolate stimulates metabolism or helps the fat burning process. Beyond that, too much of anything can be bad. While chocolate does have health benefits, a diet with an emphasis in chocolate may not be the best way to lose weight. To shed pounds stick with a sensible eating plan.

Diet – Throughout the day you can munch two 40 gram bars of chocolate and drink sugar-free coffee with non-fat milk. Make eating exciting and appetizing, mix chocolate chips with strawberries in a glass bowl. Glass allows visibility of the delicious filling which guarantees lip licking. Slice a couple of bananas and drizzle melted dark chocolate over them. You have to take the chocolate diet for 5-7 days and no longer. After one course take a break for 3-4 days. The chocolate diet is a decreased calorie diet that centers on drinking liquid diet shakes to fill the gap. People use it as a replacement for food and if you consume less food this clearly indicate fewer calories.

I am not sure I agree this can be called a sensible diet when evidence proves different i.e. pounds piling on instead of dropping off and decaying teeth. Before dieting speak to your doctor or dietician

The sensible thing to do is ignore fad diets and embark on the sensible by following a sensible eating plan. Choose the wrong diet can be dangerous – seek expert advice. The best way to evaluate a diet is by the promises made. Overnight weight loss or miracle cures are promotional pledges you should snub.

Crash dieting is unhealthy. Weight loss is for more than just losing pounds. Exercise for skin and muscle tone is just as important. Exercise is necessary but it won’t replace a diet. A combination of both is ideally the key source to losing weight. Give yourself time to adjust and not to lose focus when you begin your first diet.

Consider a low-key diet that aims at healthy foods:

1 Choose an apple over a chocolate bar.

2 Cut out cordials and drink water.

3 Walk rather than use the car or bus.

4 Limit portion sizes of what you eat. It is easier than counting calories and carbohydrates.

5 Use a smaller plate to serve dinner on.

6 Replace sticky puddings for pieces of fruit

To lose weight, fewer calories have to be burned off than what you take in. Skipping meals and eating fewer calories can cause severe consequences; it can lead to binge scoffing later because of low energy and blood sugar levels. A sensible and healthy eating plan will include between 1200 and 1400 calories daily for women and 1500 to 1800 calories for men. Breakfast being the most important meal of the day is one you must not skip. Eat 4 to 5 times a day but in moderation.

Chicken ****** is a good source of protein also low in fat. Two recipes below cooked in 15-30 minutes, low in fat, and under 400 calories a serving

Chicken & Vegetable Kebabs

4 Blocks of egg noodles

2 Skinless chicken breasts

1 Jar/195g yellow bean sauce

3 Button mushrooms

1 Medium courgette

½ yellow & red pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

4 spring onions

1 red chilli

Wooden skewers

Method

1. Fill large pot with water – bring to the boil, add noodles, return to the boil and simmer for 4 minutes.

2. Dice chicken ******* and place in a bowl. Add ¾ jar of yellow bean sauce and stir coating the chicken.

3. Preheat grill.

4. Prepare mushrooms into quarters; slice courgette; deseed. Slice peppers into squares. Size is up to you.

5. Skewer a mushroom quarter followed by chicken, courgette, pepper and so on.

6. Place kebabs on the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes turning frequently.

7. Heat some oil to smoking point in a wok, add spring onions chilli and stir fry for 60 seconds. Add noodles and remaining sauce – stir to coat. Heat through.

8. Serve kebabs over noodles.

Chicken Pancakes

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil

3 Skinless chicken breasts

Jar hoi sin spring onion stir fry sauce

Spring onions, sliced lengthways

1 Cucumber

8 Chinese pancakes

Method

1. Slice spring onions lengthways into 3″strips. Cube cucumber and slice into thin batons.

2. Thinly cut chicken into strips.

3. Heat oil in wok till piping hot, add chicken and stir fry for 7- 8 minutes

4. Preheat Chinese pancakes as instructed on packet.

5. Add stir fry sauce to cooked chicken – coat and heat through.

6. Serve chicken spring onions and cucumber onto pancake – roll and serve

Enjoy stay slim and healthy

 



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