The Good Housekeeping Supermarket Diet

The Good Housekeeping Supermarket Diet is all about convenience: it recommends real food that can be found at your local grocery store. The only catch is that you must learn some cooking skills! The trick to slimming down and staying slim, according to the folks at Good Housekeeping, is foregoing the takeout and restaurant meals and opting to cook at home. Unless you order healthy options such as steamed vegetables and grilled chicken or fish every time you are at a restaurant, eating out will ensure an intake of additional calories.

On the Supermarket Diet, you do not have to bid farewell to your favorite foods, you just have to learn to prepare healthier versions and (of course) watch the portion size. The philosophy of this diet is you can have your bread, dairy, meats and a few sweets - all in moderation. Be prepared, however, that when it comes to sweets, you need to follow the "one-treat rule," which means keeping only one portion of one treat in view.

What makes the Good Housekeeping Supermarket Diet different?

The Good Housekeeping Diet is a balanced plan that encourages the intake of whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean meats, and discourages the intake of saturated fat. The diet plans are calorie controlled, but unlike other diets, all of the work is already done for you. All you need to do is pick a breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the lists provided and voila - you have a calorie-controlled meal plan that will lead you to your goal weight.

What is the Good Housekeeping Supermarket Diet?

The Supermarket Diet has three different plans that you can follow, depending on what best fits your lifestyle and keeps you satisfied. On this plan, there is no need to be miserable on too few calories!

The three plans are:

1. Boot Camp: This plan is 1,200 calories per day and should only be followed for two weeks. If you are on it any longer, the creators of the diet claim that it will slow down your metabolism. Since men require more than 1,200 calories per day, they are advised to skip this plan. If, while on this plan, you find yourself salivating at the thought of food, add 100 calories daily. A typical day would include cereal, fruit, and nuts for breakfast; a chicken wrap with light Ranch dressing and chopped baby carrots and red peppers for lunch; a fat-free latte for a snack; and a spinach salad of eggs, orange, and pecans with whole-grain crackers for dinner.
2. Keep On Losin': This plan is 1,500 calories per day and is flexible enough for you to follow for months or even years. On this plan, you can choose any breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and can mix and match each day to create a diverse meal plan. Lucky for you, you will get 125 calories to spend on a snack, which you should make a healthy one. A typical day on this plan would include eggs and toast for breakfast, grilled cheese and lentil soup for lunch, grilled halibut with grilled vegetables and beer for dinner (yes, you can drink!), and an apple and cheddar cheese for a snack (or the occasional chocolate-covered peanuts).
3. Stay Slim Maintenance plan: This 1,800 calorie per day plan was created for when you have met your weight goal or are just looking to maintain your already healthy weight. You can still lose weight on this plan, but at a slower rate.

Golden Rules of the Good Housekeeping Supermarket Diet:

• Spice up frozen meals with added vegetables or protein.
• Always keep a bag of frozen fruit on hand.
• Don't settle for imitation whole-wheat products - become label savvy and buy only 100% whole-wheat options.
• Skip the bad-tasting fat-free dairy products and choose the low-fat versions.
• Never skip a meal! You will just raid the refrigerator later on.
• Have one high-calcium snack each day, such as chocolate milk or yogurt with honey and fruit.
• Put a lock on the cupboards so you are not tempted to binge on junk food.

What are the weight loss expectations?

If you stick closely to the Good Housekeeping Supermarket Diet plan, you could lose a half to three pounds a week at first, then a weekly one-half to two pounds after that. You will probably drop more pounds the first few weeks, and then maintain a slow and steady loss for months.

Is exercise promoted?

This diet says that weight loss is a lot easier when you exercise. Thirty to sixty minutes of walking is recommended, and a walking program for beginners is outlined. Two to three days of strength training is important, as well.

Are supplements recommended?

The Good Housekeeping Supermarket Diet plan recommends a daily multivitamin/mineral tablet for complete coverage, especially during Boot Camp.