Ready or not, the holidays are just around the corner. And unfortunately, many of us will ring in 2012 with a little extra padding around the middle, thanks to seasonal indulgences. One sobering report even found that the average American adult will gain a staggering six to 15 pounds from now until January 1st (Nutrition Review, December 2000).
But before you throw in the towel and go for thirds at Thanksgiving, there is hope for keeping holiday weight gain in check over the next few months. Sure, it requires a shift in mindset, plus some discipline and creativity – but it’s not impossible. How? By setting yourself up for success this season with healthy eating habits that will keep you from having to deal with damage control come January.
Today’s busy schedules may not always allow for healthy, home-cooked meals, so if that’s the case, you may want to check out a meal delivery service, such as BistroMD. It’s currently the number one physician-designed weight loss program in the nation, and talk show host Dr. Phil even dubbed it "the best home meal delivery available." Believe it or not, there’s more to healthy eating that merely abstaining from sweets and alcohol; BistroMD’s mantra is to get people to stop worrying about eating less and start focusing on eating better.
Created by family practice and bariatric-certified physician Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D., BistroMD’s unique nutritional platform provides 40-45 percent of calories from lean, adequate protein, 30-35 percent from carbohydrates and 20-25 percent from fat. Every meal is hand-prepared by chefs and then freshly frozen before being delivered to clients nationwide.
“My chiropractor/nutritionist first told me about it, and I was interested because it was recommended by a doctor,” said Mimi Holtz, a BistroMD client and music educator who also runs an avocado farm with her husband in Escondido, Calif. “I wanted to have no choices, just good food to eat and the confidence that I was getting a good balance, correct portions and calories. I also wanted a break from planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning.”
After about six months on the program, Holtz lost nearly 15 pounds, saw increased energy, an improvement in her allergies and even felt the urge to exercise. Now, she uses the meals for convenience because they fit well into her new lifestyle whenever she needs to eat healthy in a hurry.
“I have an optimistic outlook because I know that I'm eating the right foods in the correct amounts to lose weight and be healthy,” says Holtz. “I do have more weight to lose, but I'm confident that the pounds will come off. [This] was the first step in a process of getting healthier.”
BistoMD offers two plans – meals with (1100-1400 calories daily) and without snacks (900-1000 calories daily), which are priced in increments of five and seven days (*add $24.95 for shipping):
- 5 Days without snacks - $129.95*
- 5 Days with snacks - $144.95*
- 7 Days without snacks - $159.95*
- 7 Days with snacks - $179.95*
BistroMD provided samples for review, and I found the program to be as convenient as the meals were tasty. Every entrée (breakfast, lunch and dinner) was individually flash-frozen and shipped together in a cooler with dry ice to preserve freshness, along with plenty of fun protein-packed snacks and healthy desserts to keep even the heartiest eater from feeling deprived. The only thing missing? All the chemicals, fillers and additives in typical frozen meals. BistroMD doesn’t cut corners by using unhealthy seasonings, fatty sauces or extra salt to disguise unappetizing food. Rather, they start with pure ingredients to create nutritionally-complete meals that can help peole better prevent holiday diet distress this year.
BistoMD is hosting a “Fall Slim-Down Event” from now until November 30 where all new customers can get their first week of food shipped free. For more information, visit BistroMD.com.
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