Step Two: Diet

Welcome back!

Now that you are replenishing essential Vitamins and Minerals, via high quality supplements, we can move on to the second piece of the Postpartum weight loss pie…diet. As we move forward keep in mind that all pieces of the pie are important if you want to lose the baby weight fast. If you have already found relief from water retention by replenishing your Vitamins and Minerals, please do not skip the diet portion of your life thinking that you will burn the rest off through exercise. Vitamin and Mineral replenishment will relieve a certain amount of water retention, yes, but will not relieve swelling caused by excess sodium or other junk in your diet. Exercise will burn a certain amount of fat, but not all of it. Diet has its own place here. It is actually responsible for 20% of your weight loss results, so follow the instructions in this step and you will be thrilled with your results! STEP TWO: DIET  Elimination You may have heard of or read The Virgin Diet by JJ Virgin. The Virgin Diet is a Weight Loss Program that focuses on eliminating the foods to which our bodies are intolerant. Food Intolerance stems from lacking a specific chemical or enzyme that is needed to digest certain foods. According to JJ Virgin, this is a genetic disposition, and not much can be done about it other than avoiding that particular food. JJ's theory is completely on point, but never more so than for women who have had a baby(s), whether it was yesterday or years ago. There is a shift in our body chemistry that can trigger one or more intolerances after pregnancy that can and will contribute to weight loss plateaus if they are not eliminated. Immediately, you must eliminate the following:

• Wheat & Wheat Gluten
• Soy
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Corn
• Peanuts
• Sugar
• Artificial Sweeteners

Regardless of what you think you can tolerate or not in the above list, they must be eliminated if you want to lose the baby weight fast   *Pinterest is a great resource for recipes that are Wheat, Gluten and Sugar Free. Keeping recipes sorted out in this way has been a tremendous help during my son’s first years and I refer to it daily. Follow me or any of my food-related boards for some fantastic recipe ideas. Food Lifestyles Now that we are clear on what to stay away from (Wheat and Wheat Gluten, Sugar and Processed Foods), you will need to find a Food Lifestyle that truly promotes weight loss for your body and stick to it! *A word of caution… Some lifestyles allow for various types of whole grains, so I list them in order to stay true to the lifestyle’s descriptions. I strongly recommend that you keep it Gluten Free and even grains to a minimum while trying to lose the baby weight fast. Quinoa is an excellent substitute for grains, and takes very little time to prepare. Vegan Food Lifestyle Safe Foods

• Beans & Legumes (This includes foods such as Hummus.)
• Nuts & Seeds (This includes natural, unsweetened Nut Butters and Unsweetened Almond Milk or Coconut Milk.)
• Fruits (This includes Avocado.)
• Vegetables (All except starchy ones such as Potato, Corn and Peas.)
• Non-hydrogenated Oils (The best choices are Olive and Coconut.)
• Grains (Gluten Free foods such as Quinoa and Gluten Free Oatmeal are recommended.)
• Fortified, Unsweetened Dairy Substitutes (Always check ingredients for hidden sugars in the forms of cane sugar, syrups and rice products.)

Stay Away From

• Meat Substitutes containing Wheat Gluten (Tofu is a great substitution for meat when looking to add extra protein.)
• Fortified Dairy Substitutes (Check for hidden sugars, such as syrups, rice or cane sugar. Unsweetened Almond Milk or Coconut Milk is a perfect choice.)
• Vegan Condiments (Vegan Sour Cream, Vegan Mayonnaise, Non-Dairy Ice Cream, etc. all contain added sugar in the form of cane sugar or syrups.)

On The Go

• Lara Bars
• Greek, Chinese and Thai Restaurants

*Follow my Vegan board on Pinterest for recipe ideas!

Paleo Food Lifestyle

Safe Foods

• Grass-Fed Meats
• Fish/Seafood
• Eggs
• Nuts & Seeds (This includes natural, unsweetened Nut Butters and Unsweetened Almond Milk or Coconut Milk. *Peanuts not allowed.)
• Fruits (This includes Avocado.)
• Vegetables (Except Potato.)
• Non-hydrogenated Oils (Olive, Walnut, Flaxseed, Macadamia, Avocado and Coconut)

Stay Away From

• Cereal Grains
• Legumes
• Dairy
• Potatoes
• Refined Vegetable Oils

On The Go

• Lara Bars
• Steakhouses and Breweries, Chipotle Restaurants

Macrobiotic Food Lifestyle

Safe Foods

• Whole Grains (Gluten Free choices such as Quinoa and Gluten Free Oatmeal are best.)
• Green Leafy Vegetables
• Round Vegetables (This includes Squash, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Pumpkin, Onion, Turnips and Shiitake Mushrooms.)
• Root Vegetables (This includes Burdock, Carrots, Daikon, Parsnip and Radish.

In Moderation

• Azuki Beans, Black Soybeans, Chickpea, Green or Brown Lentils
• Black- Eyed Peas, Kidney or Lima Beans
• Navy, Pinto or Soybeans
• Dried Tofu, Fresh Tofu, Natto, Tempeh.
• Fish (This includes White Carp, Cod, Flounder, Haddock, Halibut, Sole, Trout and Red Snapper.)
• Seeds and Nuts (This includes Pumpkin, Sesame or Sunflower Seeds, Chestnuts, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Coconut and Nut Butters.)
• Cooked Fruits
• Ground Fruits (This includes Blueberries, Blackberries, Honey Dew Melon, Rasberries, Strawberries or Watermelon.)
• Tree fruit (This includes Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Grapes, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Raisins and Tangerines.

Stay Away From

• Baked Flour
• Vegetables such as Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado, Bamboo, Beets, Eggplant, Fennel, Green or Red Pepper, Spinach, Okra, Potato, Rhubarb, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard, Tomato and Yams.
• Tropical Nuts (This includes Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts and Pistachio.)
• Tropical Fruits (This includes Banana, Coconut, Dates, Figs, Mango, Papaya, Pineapple and Citrus Fruit.)
• Red Meat and Poultry
• Dairy Foods

On The Go

• Japanese Restaurants

Food Combining Food Lifestyle

The rules for following a Food Combining Lifestyle are really pretty simple. At every meal, choose a fist-sized portion of each of the following:

Protein: Lean Fish, Chicken, Turkey, Red Meat, Eggs, Cottage Cheese or Whey Protein

Carbohydrate: Steamed Quinoa, Gluten Free Oats, Steamed Brown Rice, Fruit

Vegetable: Leafy Greens (with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar), Round or Root Vegetables (Except Potato, Corn or Peas.)

On The Go

-Steakhouses, Breweries, Japanese and Chinese Restaurants, Chipotle and Boston Market

Low Carb Food Lifestyle

Safe Foods

• All Red Meats
• All Fish, Poultry and Wild Game
• Eggs
• Full Fat Dairy
• Non-Starchy Vegetables
• Fats & Oils

In Moderation

• Berries (No more than 1 serving/day.)

Stay Away From

• All Starchy Vegetables (This includes Potato, Corn and Peas.)
• Fruit
• Grains

On The Go

• Lara Bars
• Atkins Bars
• Steakhouses, Breweries and Seafood Restaurants, Boston Market and Chipotle

Blood Type Food Lifestyle

Safe Foods

• Type O: Lean Meat, Poultry, Fish and Vegetables
• Type A: Fruits, Vegetables, Beans and Legumes, Grains (Gluten Free)
• Type B: Lean Meats, Eggs, Low-Fat Dairy, Green Vegetables
• Type AB: Tofu, Seafood, Dairy, Green Vegetables

In Moderation or Avoid Completely

• Type O: Grains (Gluten Free), Beans, Dairy
• Type A: Meat and Dairy
• Type B: Corn, Wheat, Lentils, Tomatoes, Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Chicken
• Type AB: Wheat, Caffeine, Alcohol, Smoked or Cured Meats

On The Go

• Type O: Steakhouses, Breweries, Seafood Restaurants, Chipotle
• Type A: Mediterranean, Greek, Indian Restaurants
• Type B: Steakhouses, Breweries, Chipotle
• Type AB: Japanese, Chinese and Seafood Restaurants

*Below are two more ways of eating for you to consider if the other lifestyles didn’t strike a chord. Neither here are what I consider to be a Food Lifestyle (by my definition of the phrase), but both are great options for those who are looking for more structure and accountability where your diet is concerned.

4 Hour Body Food Lifestyle

The 4 Hour Body is a Food Lifestyle created by Entrepreneur, Timothy Ferriss. People who follow this lifestyle tend to be more athletic and are familiar with all things bodybuilding. It requires hourly dedication and the willingness to incorporate unconventional ways of burning fat.

The 4 Hour Body eliminates all starches and everything sweet (including fruit). Some people actually refer to it as “slow carb” because it is similar to a low carb plan, yet it encourages legumes at every meal and allows for a glass of red wine each night, neither of which are said to hinder weight loss. Followers of this lifestyle follow it for 6 days and take a cheat day on the 7th day, essentially allowing them to eat whatever they want for 24 hours.

The science behind this plan is actually really interesting, and I suggest you read up on it before you start. The 4 Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss fully explains why this concept works for many people, so if it sounds like something that may interest you, then go for it!

Weight Watchers Food Lifestyle

Those of you who do best when held accountable for your weight loss or who are looking for additional support in your quest to lose the baby weight, may want to consider joining Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers is a company that allows all foods, just in controlled portions. I know plenty of people who feel deprived when eliminating certain foods/food groups, so they do best on plans that they can easily adapt to.

Eating a Weight Watchers style diet will require you to keep up with your food by using a points system, so there is some work involved each time you eat. However, Weight Watchers has a mobile app that helps you along, so from what I hear, it is not too time consuming.

I certainly see the appeal of a program like this and if it works for you, great! No judgement from me. I must say though that I maintain my stance on Wheat, Wheat Gluten, Sugar and Processed Foods and I hope that you will stay away from these even if Weight Watchers allows them in ‘moderation’.