The weekend has flown by too quickly, however I did have quite an enjoyable and relaxing Sunday. I woke up to this a bowl full o’ warming oats (1/4 cup each of oat bran and oatmeal) topped with maple syrup, crushed walnuts and a spoonful of better n pb.
Isaac said it smelled just like waffle crisp, the cereal. I don’t think I’ve had waffle crisp since I was in high school so I can’t tell you whether or not it really did. But what I can tell you that it was tasty.
After a few hours of lounging around I made a smoothie for lunch.
This smoothie had a left over nugget of a frozen banana, frozen blueberries, almond milk, ice cubes, chocolate protein powder, and 1/2 tablespoon of maca powder. I also had 2 camera shy slices of ezekiel toast with better n pb and jelly smeared on top.
The items above have been mainstays in the EBF casa for a while now. I’m sure you all are getting a little bored so let me tell you about something new I recently received to try out.
I’d never heard of the Flat Belly Diet before receiving an email from the PR firm about this book, probably because I don’t go out searching for the latest and greatest fad diet to try, although I have tried my fair share in the past. I decided to accept this cookbook because it’s just that- a cookbook. I love to look through cookbooks, read recipes, and try new dishes so naturally I couldn’t turn down a free cookbook. Especially one that promises a flat belly.
It has more than 200 recipes (many ready in 30 minutes or less) for breakfast, soups & sandwiches, salads & sides, vegetarian meals, seafood, meat meals, snacks and desserts. Each meal contains at least one ingredient with mono-unsaturated fat acids (MUFAs), which is apparently the key to the Flat Belly diet.
Upon thumbing through pages and reading some of the content I started to get the bright idea that maybe I should indeed try this diet out. If you’ve been reading EBF for a while now, you’ll know that I don’t go around reviewing different diets and I’m not necessary looking to lose a ton of weight. I’ve been at my current and happy weight (plus or minus a few pounds) for about 7 years. With all that said, I have been teetering at the higher end of my target weight range and feeling less than stellar about my stomach so this book came at a vulnerable/perfect time. (Depending on which way you look at it).
Along with the cookbook came the Flat Belly Diet Pocket Guide (PG).
The PG basically an overview the of the Flat Belly Diet book and it contains meal plans, ideas/tips for eating out on the diet, shopping lists, etc.
The Flat Belly Diet starts with an initial 4 day Jump Start that consists of eating 1,200 calories a day of specific non-bloating foods, limiting other foods that cause bloating, and drinking a homemade water blend called Sassy Water (with fresh mint, ginger, cucumber, and lemon). After this 4 day jump start you move into the traditional portion of the diet, which is a bit more reasonable. In a nut shell, it suggests you eat 4 meals of 400 calories 4 times a day equaling 1,600 calories and every meal must have one serving of a healthy MUFA. The MUFA can be an Oil (think along the lines of olive, flaxseed, walnut, and canola oil), Nuts and Seeds, Avocados, Olives, or Dark Chocolate. You can choose the other foods at each meal and almost no foods are restricted, but there are guidelines to preparing healthy meals. Say you choose avocado as your MUFA, you’ve want to pair it with 3 ounces of lean protein, or two ounces of lean protein and 1 dairy, 2 cups raw or steamed veggies, and 1 cup of starchy veggies or 1 whole grain serving
After reading through the PG I decided that the normal part of the diet isn’t too different from how I eat on a daily basis. It recommends eating whole natural foods while incorporating a MUFA at each meal to keep hunger at bay. It also suggests to limit the amount of white carbs, saturated and trans fats and sodium. Seems reasonable right? On the other hand, there are a few things about the diet that scream fad diet- the initial jump start phase and it’s limited food choices, the “Lose up to 15 lbs in 32 Days!” written on the front of the book, etc. And, I know that MUFAs aren’t some new breakthrough to getting a flat belly fast, but the diet isn’t irrational and shouldn’t be too hard to follow, so I think I’m going to give it a shot.
Back to the cookbook, there are definitely some recipes that look delicious and I decided to try one of them out last night.
Chickpea Curry with Cashews
It was super simple to make and included chickpeas, cashews, cilantro, onions, curry and a dollop of non-fat Greek yogurt (I used Chobani). I served the dish with a side of instant brown rice. The curry was pretty tasty and I loved how quick and easy it was but it didn’t blow me or Isaac away. I think next time I would add some of my own spices just to kick the dish up a notch. The instant rice was blah…. I guess I’ve spoiled myself with regular brown rice and the instant doesn’t quite match up.
Last but certainly not least, I actually received two copies of these books (The Flat Belly cookbook and PG) and one lucky reader has the chance to win the extra copies. Simply leave a comment on whether or not you’ve ever tired a fad diet before and if it worked for you and you’ll be entered to win. The winner will be chosen next Friday October 2, 2009.
Happy Monday!
- Brittany
Brittany Mullins, HHC
{ 83 comments… read them below or add one }
I tried the Special K diet where you substitute 2 meals with a bowl of the cereal and eat lots of fruit. I lost about 25 pounds but was always starving! So glad I’ve changed my ways
Waffle crisp?! Oh man, you’re taking me back! That curry certainly looks delicious!
I haven’t tried a fad diet! I know some people see results from these things but it’s not for me. I just eat everything in moderation and I’ve been alright
I have tried EVERY diet. I’ve always been fairly thin – but always wanted to be thinner. With that being said, the most effective diet was the Zone for me, and I still look to those types of food now. I am happy with my weight, have finally come to terms with eating normally (i.e. not on a fad diet), but I LOVE cookbooks and trying out new things!
hehehe, I have tried every diet known to woman
haven’t tried the flat belly diet, but my mother-in-law’s a big fan!
I have tried my share of fad diets in the past. They work for a few days but never in the long run. They are just too limiting to stick to.
I have actually never tried a fad diet – always been pretty into making sure I get a balance of nutrients and not eliminating anything from my diet which I think fad diets tend to do
unfortunately i HAVE tried fad diets but sort of on my own by following their guidelines (south beach and weight watchers with a little atkins in there). blogging has transformed my view of what it is to be healthy and therefore thin, so i no longer try these. this cookbook looks great! my stomach is my hardest part to target
I am very intrigued by these books! I haven’t tried fad diets, but I have definitely been on board with some the the exercise fads.
I’ve never tried a fad diet myself, mostly because I knew they’d never satisfy me! But exercise trends are a different story . . . .
I love your idea of mixing oatbran with oatmeal. I think I am going to try that since I usually only eat oat bran, but I’m kind of getting sick of it. Your smoothie sounds fab too! Chocolate protein powder adds a great richness to smoothies. MUFAs are my fave so I think I might try out that cookbook just for the sake of getting more recipes using MUFAs, but not for any sort of weight loss.
I am the queen of fad diets. I’ve tried so many. And I suppose in a way a mixture of them all made me lose weight because I do well with strict guidelines. Unfortunately it made me obsessive with things like that. I’m currently trying to find the correct balance in my life.
About a year ago, Adam and I tried a low-carb diet. We both lost some weight, but it came at the price of irritability, low energy, and feelings of deprivation! I’m much happier with the way I do things now
But, I never would turn down a chance to win a new cookbook!
Oh boy…what fad diet HAVEN’T I tried? When I was in high school, I did everything from Atkins to grapefruit to the GE Motors Employee diet to the Hollywood drink diet.
Obviously, all of them were horrific. Luckily, I eat full fat cheese now
I’ve never really tried a fad diet … i think that diet and exercise are simply the way to go. i love food too much … i cant give it up!!!!
i rlly want to read that book though!
thanks for the opportunity!!!
i’ve tried fad diets, but never for a long period of time. i believe diets are unrealistic and almost impossible to turn in to a lifestyle of eating. however, i do like to get ideas from diet books. i like to try their recipes, get ideas for snacks, and try incorporating some of the principles in the diet in to what i know works for me–and if in turn it doesn’t work for me, then i just go back to what i know. i like the fact that the flat belly diet incorporates MUFAs in to every mean. i have found this to be very important when it comes to controlling cravings and allowing for more time to digest in between meals without reaching for snacks.
thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
I tried the Atkins, and I couldn’t do the specific no carbs for 2 weeks. It left me headaches all day. This does look like a good one, b/c of everything it does ncorporate. Good luck with it.
not really no fad diets for me, i just try to eat whole foods. i’m trying to go back to my usual ways, but some stuff keeps creeping in! only one way works for me and that’s cold turkey
I’ve tried a few detoxes but what works best for me is just eating as many whole foods as possible and keeping any sweets away.
Of course! I tried the fruit flush; you start with a protein shake in the morning, then you just eat a portion of fruit every two hours throughout the day, then eat a salad with protein and some kind of fat in it for dinner. You do this for three days and you lose like 5-10 pounds or something. I do it after vacation or a particularly messy holiday weekend
Helps me get back on track.
This book looks great!
I’ve definitely tried fad diets before – but funny thing is – the way I lost weight was just eating “smart”
I’d love to win a copy, I love the way you spelled everything in the book out!
Can I take you shopping with me next time? 
To be honest, I would be more interested in checking out the cookbook than the “philosophy” which doesn’t seem to be anything more than “smart eating”.
I remember trying to “Cabbage Soup Diet” which lasted about three days before I was the more irritable gal in all the land….
I tried the south beach diet and it actually worked… but sadly I liked alcohol a little to much for it to ever become a “lifestyle”.
If trying a fad diet actually means sticking with it for more then 1 or 2 days – then no I’ve never really tried a fad diet. I definitely have thought of trying a lot of fad diets but haven’t stuck to anything long enough to really see if it would have worked.
I have heard about the Flat Belly Diet though, and would love to learn more about it. I’d definitley be really excited if I won the cookbook also!!!
i have not tried many fad diets,I had a hard time with the idea of fads, and they just never made sense to me. That being said, I do take some idea’s from these fads and try to incorporate them into my life style. So, I was happy to read your review on this book that you felt it wasn’t such A fad thing. because I defiantly could use some belly fat help :+)
I once decided to eat baby food puree for at least one meal a day. It was nasty.
I’ve never tried a full out fad diet but my own diets, no bread products and being vegan, have usually let me lose 3 lbs! My friend’s mother tried the flat belly diet and she was pretty successful in changing her diet to après varied an healthy one.
After watching my mum eat grapefruit and cabbage soup for years, I’ve never fad dieted!
i have tried the fast track detox diet and i lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks, then lost another 5 pounds the following 2 weeks, and I have kept those 15 pounds and give or take a few more, off since January! i hope i win this cookbook! i love reading new healthy recipes!
I’ve never tried a fad diet before, but I did definitely go through a period with very unhealthy eating habits in which I lost a lot of weight. Not recommended! I’m not too into the whole “diet” concept of the book but I always love trying out new cookbooks!
One thing I love about fall: scrumptious toasty oats in the morning! nomnomnom
I tried the atkins shebang about a year ago. Cut out all carbs, ate a lot of their bars and shakes. I lost weight but I wouldn’t do it again, the products really aren’t healthy at all and the diet doesn’t have any emphasis on health. Hence why fad diets are fads. The only lasting weight-loss diet that’s out there is the good old fashioned EAT HEALTHY/EAT LESS/MOVE MORE plan
never tried a fad diet and i’m not looking to lose weight, but like you, i love cookbooks!!
I’ve tried the macrobiotic diet and the raw diet, but neither was to lose weight – they were just experiments. This book sounds great though because I tend to get bloated after eating and the book seems like it might help with the whole “flat belly” thing
Of course I have tried fad diets, but I basically crash and burn after, at most, a week! I am not good at diets that are restrictive in any way, I am more of a “everything in moderation” type of person. This sounds like it has delicious recipes and great healthy eating ideas!
Thanks for the giveaway! I tried South Beach for a little, the first 2 weeks are rough without carbs and fruit…but it does teach you some good habits!
this book sounds awesome. I would love to learn more about nutrition and how food works with human bodies.
I haven’t tried this diet but I always see their books in the store and they look interesting, I would be interested in learning more. Your Chickpea Curry with Cashews looks great!
I would love to give that cookbook a try! I have never tried a fad diet, but I did cut calories excessively when I was in college. Ever since then, I just strive for a healthy balance in my life to keep me sane!
unfortunately, yes and it was miserable. fad diets just dont work. uve gotta do whats right for u and just start making little tweaks in ur day! one day, i realized ive come along way (still got a ways to go!) and am much happier. good things take time and patience! id love to get a copy of that book! its looks good and doesnt seem extreme
katie
I’ve never really tried any fad diets myself. But for some reason the flat belly diet intrigues me. Probably because it seems like a more balanced approach to dieting than many others around. Sounds good!
Guilty! I did the eat less than 30 grams of carbs a day. Needless to say, I was tired and grumpy. No fun! I would love to try out the cookbook =)
Oooh – I love cookbooks! I tried the Special K diet in college (to no avail) and I did Body RX for a long time, which worked great. I abandoned Body RX though because I finally realized nuts are healthy! It has nuts listed on the “Red Proteins” (don’t eat them often) list.
I’d love to try the book.
I’ve tried pretty much everything out there- from cabbage soup, to atkins, to pritkin, to hamptons.. and my own variations on them as well! Thanks.
Hi! I am a long time reader, but this is my first time to comment.
I have tried many fad diets in the past and have dealt with unhealthy eating habits. What I’ve found is that none of that crap works! It was a waste of time and I’ll never get those years back. Now I eat wholesome, nourishing foods and I am so much better off for it.
Anyways, great post! I really enjoyed it.
xoxo
Chelsea
I always read about them and then do my own thing..:)
Thanks for such a thorough review of the book. I thought it sounded great, until “Say you choose avocado as your MUFA, you’ve want to pair it with 3 ounces of lean protein, or two ounces of lean protein and 1 dairy, 2 cups raw or steamed veggies, and 1 cup of starchy veggies or 1 whole grain serving”. Things like that always overwhelm me.
I will admit that I do fat diet before every vacation. I’ll cut out carbs and sugar before vacation to lose 5lbs. During vacation I gain this weight back, but b/c I lost 5, gained 5, I never have a freakout episode during day 4 of vacation b/c I think I’m fat. Sounds crazy, I’m sure.
I’ve never tried a fad diet. I’d love to try some recipes from that cookbook though!
Thanks for the opportunity! I’ve never tried a fad diet before and I’m pretty proud that I haven’t!
I did the Special K diet once for a week in college when I was super stressed and feeling pretty poorly about myself. After a week of being continuously hungry and seeing no change, I decided to give up and stick with whole foods in moderate portions. I hurts my heart to hear all the girls I’m surrounded by constantly talking about their weight and diets, especially because they are all absolutely beautiful. Something it wrong wrong wrong with our society
Does calorie counting count as a fad? If so, it definitely worked, but I’ve become obsessed now. Not necessarily so good, especially for Type A’s…