Week Three of the Detox Plan

We're almost there! Already through two weeks of the detox plan and feeling great. If you're like me, you're so used to eating healthy now that you don't even crave things like fast food. This week, we'll add back in even more healthy protein, but keep an emphasis on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Hopefully, you won't feel that you're depriving yourself of much of anything. The idea is to get used to this week's eating habits and adhering to them as closely as you can going forward. Next week, I'll give you tips for how to keep the momentum and how to allow yourself to "cheat" so that you can enjoy a little naughtiness now and then. Plus a great resource to help you keep on track.

But, for now, this week:

Add the lean protein of chicken and turkey.
Here you should concentrate on white meat. Chicken breast and turkey breast. And you have to prepare it in healthy ways. Grilling. Baking. Pan-sauteing in a touch of healthy fat like olive oil. And, of course, no heavy coatings or fatty sauces. I'll share some recipes and marinade ideas so you don't have to endure bland grilled chicken.

Enjoy eggs.
You can have an egg or two a day. Scrambled, poached or in a recipe like this. Hard-boil an egg and put on your salad. If you're being really good, use the whites only. Full of great protein and almost no fat at all.

Use low-fat dairy.
Things like sour cream, milk and cottage cheese are back in play. Just make sure you use low-fat or, even better, no-fat versions. I like to put herbs in fat-free sour cream and use as a dip for carrots and celery sticks. Cheese is ok too, but make sure it's not the full fat kind.

Keep snacking.
Stick with your four or five snacks a day. they keep your metabolism up and keep you from losing control and ending up with bad choices because you're starving. What you want to try and do now is include protein in as many of your snacks as possible. Not just carrots...carrots and a flavorful fat-free sour cream dip. Apple...with a tablespoon of unsweetened peanut butter. Even just a slice of turkey or two.

Bread and potatoes are o.k....sort of.
Feel free to have a sandwich this week. Just make sure it's on the healthiest, grain-filled bread you can buy. Look at the ingredients. If the dreaded "high fructose corn syrup" is way up there, skip it. And don't even think about chewy white bread. Sorry. You can also have a potato now and then. Much preferred to a big ol' Russet are sweet potatoes and new potatoes. I'll explain more about why next week. Hint: It has to do with good carbs vs. bad carbs.

Portion control is key.
We've added back in things that are higher in calories. So make sure you don't overdo it and blow your previous good results. If weight loss is still a goal, monitor yourself carefully. I'll keep weighing myself every morning to make sure I'm still on track. You probably won't lose more than a pound or two a week now, but you certainly don't want to gain by eating too much. It's all healthy stuff, but you can't take in more than you can burn in a day.

Cheers!
This is the week I'll go back to having wine. Probably not every night, but drinking in moderation is ok. I won't have a cocktail until at least next week though.

Hope you're having success if you've been keeping up with the plan. Stay tuned for the next couple of weeks for more delicious recipes that are in keeping with the guidelines of the plan.