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The Lean Plate Club




Description

Health and nutrition writer Sally Squires pens the weekly Lean Plate Club column in the Washington Post. The Lean Plate Club is an eight-week program that uses simple, step-by-step instructions with weekly goals to help adopt a lifetime of healthy eating and exercise habits.

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DietTV Eat Out Guide

Dunkin' Donuts
110 food choices
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Subway
92 food choices
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McDonalds
69 food choices
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Starbucks
65 food choices
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Schlotzsky's Deli
44 food choices
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DietTV Frozen Food Guide

Lean Cuisine
124 food choices
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Healthy Choice
116 food choices
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Flav-R-Pac
79 food choices
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Green Giant
62 food choices
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Cascadian Farm
43 food choices
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What can I eat

  • Alcohol image
    Alcohol
    Alcohol in moderation
  • Avocado image
    Avocado
  • Beans image
    Beans
  • Berries image
    Berries
  • Bread image
    Bread
  • Coffee image
    Coffee
    Tea and coffee in moderation
  • Condiments image
    Condiments
  • Dairy image
    Dairy
    Low-fat and fat-free dairy
  • Deli image
    Deli
  • Diet Beverages image
    Diet Beverages
  • Eggs image
    Eggs
  • Fats image
    Fats
    In limited amounts
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What can I snack on

  • Cereal image
    Cereal
    High protein and high fiber cereals
  • Cheese image
    Cheese
    Part-skim and low fat hard and soft cheeses
  • Chocolate image
    Chocolate
    Good quality dark chocolate in moderation
  • Crackers image
    Crackers
    Whole wheat, high fiber crackers
  • Deli image
    Deli
    Lean meats
  • Dips image
    Dips
    Such as humus, tahini, salsa, and guacamole
  • Dried Fruit image
    Dried Fruit
    No sugar added
  • Eggs image
    Eggs
    Hard-boiled eggs
  • Energy Bars image
    Energy Bars
    High protein bars
  • Fruit image
    Fruit
    A wide variety of fresh, and no sugar added cooked and frozen fruits
  • Granola Bars image
    Granola Bars
    Low fat, whole grain granola bars and fruit and nut bars
  • Ice Cream & Sorbets image
    Ice Cream & Sorbets
    Light ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt
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Description (cont'd from above)

The Lean Plate Club

Health and nutrition writer Sally Squires pens the weekly Lean Plate Club column in the Washington Post. The Lean Plate Club is an eight-week program that uses simple, step-by-step instructions with weekly goals to help adopt a lifetime of healthy eating and exercise habits. There are no forbidden foods - everything is allowed in moderation. Grab your calculator and measuring spoons because calories do count and controlling portion sizes is a must.

Most diets work because when you impose restrictions, you cut calories and ultimately lose weight. Eventually, however, if the diet is too restrictive and you are not eating what you like, you will cheat on the diet and your weight will creep back. The Lean Plate Club realizes this phenomenon and allows you to gradually add healthy habits to your lifestyle, so you can stick with it.

What makes The Lean Plate Club a different weight loss plan?

The Lean Plate Club promotes a balanced diet, including all of the food groups, but you must measure, track, record, and count what you eat, in order to cut calories and ensure you stay within your calorie limits,.

What is The Lean Plate Club?

The Lean Plate Club is an eight-week program that teaches you how to eat smart by choosing the healthiest foods, finding physical activities that you enjoy, and setting reasonable goals each week.

Each week, you'll get food and exercise tips for success (for example, only take half a serving at first and then wait 10 or 20 minutes before you decide whether you need the other half). Emphasis is on adding fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole-grain fiber to your diet, and remembering to take care of yourself by sleeping more and being mindful while you eat.

A typical day on the Lean Plate Club diet would include having some oatmeal and fruit for breakfast; bean, corn and pepper salad with low-fat cheese and chicken for lunch; baked salmon Dijon with vegetables for dinner; and a peach cobbler for dessert. Of course, your typical day will depend on your calorie allowance. The diet allows more food for men than for women, since men require more calories.

What are the weight loss expectations?

The Lean Plate Club says you shouldn't just rely on your bathroom scale to show the progress you are making, since you may lose inches before pounds. Expect a steady loss at first, which may slow and even plateau before you see continued loss.

Is exercise promoted?

The Lean Plate Club diet recommends you aim for thirty minutes of exercise each day for health benefits, and sixty to ninety minutes of exercise each day for weight loss and weight maintenance. Including resistance training two or more times per week and stretching exercises at least three times per week is also recommended.

Are supplements recommended?

A calcium supplement with vitamin D is recommended, only if you fall short on the recommended dose through diet (meaning you are not taking in enough calcium through food). No other supplement is suggested on the Lean Plate Club diet.