In my 19+ years as a personal trainer, most of my clients came to me to help them lose weight.
More specifically, my job was to help them melt the body-fat that encased their soon-to-be fit bodies.
While I can’t be there with you to design and monitor your workouts, I can give you my 5 step meal plan that EVERY successful client of mine followed to melt away their body-fat.
STEP 1 – Fruit for breakfast. Every day.
- Fresh fruit in season.
- Frozen fruit left to thaw in the fridge overnight during the rest of the year.
In addition to the great taste, fruit is loaded with cancer fighting fiber, vitamins and minerals and high levels of antioxidant phytochemicals.
| Food | Serving size | Antioxidant capacity per serving size[6] |
|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon, ground | 100 grams | 267,536 |
| Aronia black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) | 100 grams | 16062 |
| Small Red Bean | ½ cup dried beans | 13727 |
| Wild blueberry | 1 cup | 13427 |
| Red kidney bean | ½ cup dried beans | 13259 |
| Pinto bean | ½ cup | 11864 |
| Blueberry | 1 cup (cultivated berries) | 9019 |
| Cranberry | 1 cup (whole berries) | 8983 |
| Artichoke hearts | 1 cup, cooked | 7904 |
| Blackberry | 1 cup (cultivated berries) | 7701 |
| Prune | ½ cup | 7291 |
| Raspberry | 1 cup | 6058 |
| Strawberry | 1 cup | 5938 |
| Red Delicious apple | 1 apple | 5900 |
| Granny Smith apple | 1 apple | 5381 |
| Pecan | 1 oz | 5095 |
| Sweet cherry | 1 cup | 4873 |
| Black plum | 1 plum | 4844 |
| Russet potato | 1, cooked | 4649 |
| Black bean | ½ cup dried beans | 4181 |
| Plum | 1 plum | 4118 |
| Gala apple | 1 apple | 3903 |
STEP 2 – Replace Lunch-time Sandwiches with Lettuce Wraps
This might seem strange at first, but when you realize how much body-fat you will lose just by replacing 2 plain slices of bread with a single lettuce leaf ( 16 3/4 lbs. each and every year ), most people are willing to give it a try.
You can also replace your normal lunch with healthy soups, stews or salads.
STEP 3 – Replace your vending machine afternoon snack with spicy seeds and nuts
Here is a quick recipe that I borrowed from Julie B’s Hive
Nueces Y Pepitas Picantes (Spicy Nuts and Seeds)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 10 small garlic clove
- 1 1/2 cups raw peanuts
- 1 1/2 cups raw hulled green pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4-1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 275°.
- In a frying pan over medium-low heat, warm the oil. Add the garlic cloves and sauté until they begin to turn tan, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the nuts and seeds, coating them well with the oil. Add 1 teaspoon salt and the ground chile, just a pinch at a time, until the taste just tingles the tongue.
- Spread the nuts and seeds evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a bowl, sprinkle with more salt, if needed. Serve warm or at room temperature.
STEP 4 – Meat & Vegetables
Replace the typical North American dinner of fatty protein served over complex carbs covered in a sauce of saturated fat and washed down with a big glass of high fructose corn syrup based liquid with something straight out of Leave it to Beaver. Meat and vegetables.
The meat can be beef,pork,poultry,fish,tofu,etc… Make it healthy.
You are free to choose your own vegetables, but try not to load up on the potatoes. And no french fries or potato chips.
STEP 5 – Eat fish or supplement with fish oils.
Fish, especially fish loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids are too good for you to ignore. There is a lot of research showing that the Omega 3s help your body to burn body-fat more efficiently.
For all those moms to be out there, I recently posted an article about Omega 3 fatty acids and their positive effects on your child’s brain.
Note: Keep in mind that I am not a doctor or heart specialist or scientist devoted to promoting the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids. However, I have read a lot of the research into Omega 3 fish oils. I have also seen them work all sorts of magic on my clients body-fat, allergies and creaky joints. In my personal opinion, I think they are a fantastic product to supplement your diet.
Here are a few tips:
- Supplement with fish oils that have been labeled Pharmaceutical Grade or Molecularly Distilled. Keep in mind that it is a little like the wild west out there with fish oil supplements. You may need to do a little research and even ask a few questions.
- The University of Guelph run International Fish Oil Standards tests fish oil supplements for their purity. Their website is here.
- I personally use the Ascenta brand Nutra-Sea fish oil. They were one of the first and have been tested by the U of G (passed). Here is a sample test report from their website.
Okay, there you go – 5 Steps to a Healthy – Fat Melting Meal Plan
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I was suprised about the fruit for breakfast during training. I would have thought that more protein would be needed in the morning.
I usually workout before breakfast while drinking a protein shake, so I’m going to try the fruit next week.
My only thought is that there are no grains in this plan. What do you think?
I am trying to cycle the macronutrients throughout the day – higher carbs in the a.m. – higher fats and protein in the p.m.
As well, I used to follow the old “eat like a prince in the morning and a pauper in the evening”, but my clients have done better with a more digestible meal in the morning. Then a heavier meal at lunch. Ergo the fruit.
To ease into this, you could blend the fruit into a smoothie with some protein powder.
About the grains, I try to avoid them for a few reasons. They are very calorie dense. They are very carbohydrate dense. And every client (except for 2) have tested positive IGE for a sensitivity to wheat and gluten.
There is very little nutrients in grains that I can’t find in meat, fruits, veg, seeds & nuts. (including the nutrients that nutritionists claim are the reasons for eating grains – fibre, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, iron, magnesium, and selenium)
I am trying to maximize nutrients while minimizing calories as a whole and carbs in particular.
Here is a vitamin mineral chart – I don’t know how this is going to look in the comment box, so I am including the link.
link to chart – http://healthchecksystems.com/vitamins.htm
Vitamins
Vitamin
What the vitamin does
Significant food sources
B1 (thiamin)
Supports energy metabolism and nerve function
spinach, green peas, tomato juice, watermelon, sunflower seeds, lean ham, lean pork chops, soy milk
B2 (riboflavin)
Supports energy metabolism, normal vision and skin health
spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, eggs, milk, liver, oysters, clams
B3 (niacin)
Supports energy metabolism, skin health, nervous system and digestive system
spinach, potatoes, tomato juice, lean ground beef, chicken breast, tuna (canned in water), liver, shrimp
Biotin
Energy metabolism, fat synthesis, amino acid metabolism, glycogen synthesis
widespread in foods
Pantothenic Acid
Supports energy metabolism
widespread in foods
B6 (pyridoxine)
Amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, red blood cell production
bananas, watermelon, tomato juice, broccoli, spinach, acorn squash, potatoes, white rice, chicken breast
Folate
Supports DNA synthesis and new cell formation
tomato juice, green beans, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, okra, black-eyed peas, lentils, navy, pinto and garbanzo beans
B12
Used in new cell synthesis, helps break down fatty acids and amino acids, supports nerve cell maintenance
meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs
C (ascorbic acid)
Collagen synthesis, amino acid metabolism, helps iron absorption, immunity, antioxidant
spinach, broccoli, red bell peppers, snow peas, tomato juice, kiwi, mango, orange, grapefruit juice, strawberries
A (retinol)
Supports vision, skin, bone and tooth growth, immunity and reproduction
mango, broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, tomato juice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beef liver
D
Promotes bone mineralization
self-synthesis via sunlight, fortified milk, egg yolk, liver, fatty fish
E
Antioxidant, regulation of oxidation reactions, supports cell membrane stabilization
polyunsaturated plant oils (soybean, corn and canola oils), wheat germ, sunflower seeds, tofu, avocado, sweet potatoes, shrimp, cod
K
Synthesis of blood-clotting proteins, regulates blood calcium
Brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, liver
top
Minerals
Mineral
What the mineral does
Significant food sources
Sodium
Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, supports muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmissions
salt, soy sauce, bread, milk, meats
Chloride
Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, aids in digestion
salt, soy sauce, milk, eggs, meats
Potassium
Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, cell integrity, muscle contractions and nerve impulse transmission
potatoes, acorn squash, artichoke, spinach, broccoli, carrots, green beans, tomato juice, avocado, grapefruit juice, watermelon, banana, strawberries, cod, milk
Calcium
Formation of bones and teeth, supports blood clotting
milk, yogurt, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, tofu, sardines, green beans, spinach, broccoli
Phosphorus
Formation of cells, bones and teeth, maintains acid-base balance
all animal foods (meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk)
Magnesium
Supports bone mineralization, protein building, muscular contraction, nerve impulse transmission, immunity
spinach, broccoli, artichokes, green beans, tomato juice, navy beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, sunflower seeds, tofu, cashews, halibut
Iron
Part of the protein hemoglobin (carries oxygen throughout body’s cells)
artichoke, parsley, spinach, broccoli, green beans, tomato juice, tofu, clams, shrimp, beef liver
Zinc
A part of many enzymes, involved in production of genetic material and proteins, transports vitamin A, taste perception, wound healing, sperm production and the normal development of the fetus
spinach, broccoli, green peas, green beans, tomato juice,lentils, oysters, shrimp, crab, turkey (dark meat), lean ham, lean ground beef, lean sirloin steak, plain yogurt, Swiss cheese, tofu, ricotta cheese
Selenium
Antioxidant. Works with vitamin E to protect body from oxidation
seafood, meats and grains
Iodine
Component of thyroid hormones that help regulate growth, development and metabolic rate
salt, seafood, bread, milk, cheese
Copper
Necessary for the absorption and utilization of iron, supports formation of hemoglobin and several enzymes
meats, water
Manganese
Facilitates many cell processes
widespread in foods
Fluoride
Involved in the formation of bones and teeth, helps to make teeth resistant to decay
fluoridated drinking water, tea, seafood
Chromium
Associated with insulin and is required for the release of energy from glucose
vegetable oils, liver, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, cheese, nuts
Molybdenum
Facilitates many cell processes
legumes, organ meats
Thanks for the link. That will be a good resource.
You make a good point about the grains.
Seems to be another good chunk of the “food pyramid” that can be easily worked around with a varied/balanced diet. I usually try to be aware of the difference between what we are told we should eat, and what will actually benefit a particular goal or lifestyle.
I actually feel the same way about meat. I turned vegetarian about two years ago.
I drink musclemilk every morning before going to work. Just the normal serving size of 10-12 oz. I usually eat this at 7:15am and then at 8:25am I eat a bowl of cereal and 1 Danon Active bottle. Is this considered a healthy breakfast?
Yes and no.
Sorry to be confusing, but in my experience, most of my clients have done better (increased energy & fat loss) with a lighter breakfast. Note that I say most. There are no absolutes due to genetic variability and lifestyle influences.
I love the musclemilk. I just wouldn’t drink it for breakfast. A mid morning snack or at lunch or an afternoon snack – perfect. Obviously it is a great post workout drink. For some of my big weightlifting clients, we add a bunch of fruit to the musclemilk to bring up the carbs even higher post-workout.
The Danon Active – perfect anytime – Low in cal, high in nutritional benefits.
The cereal – I would suggest you dump the cereal and replace it with a fruit salad or a smoothie made with fruit and the Danon Active.
If you try it for a week and you find that your energy is lower than before the switch, you could add a little cold pressed coconut oil to the smoothie or even some molecularly distilled fish oils – I know this sounds weird, but there is zero fish taste – it tastes like lemon – I like Ascenta’s Nutra-Sea, but there are other great brands out there – Dr.Sears – actually I wrote a post about that here – https://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/pregnant-mothers-intake-of-omega-3-key-to-babies-big-brains/
The info you want is at the bottom of the post.
I don’t want to sound like I hate cereal, but I think the benefits of grains has been overstated by the companies and lobby groups that rely on breakfast cereal sales. Grains are calorie dense and have lower nutritional benefits than fruits and veg.
If you’re interested, try it for a week and let me know how it works for you. What’s the worst that can happen. The cereal will wait for you.
Thanks for the comment
Great post! I have been trying the SlimFast shake thing in the morning, along with fruit, but I wonder how I’ll fair with only fruit. Here’s a post I wrote about being healthy on a budget. Good advice–I look forward to reading more from you!
I’m trying the slimfast thing in the morning also. not so sure if it’s good for the health tho?
Let’s compare Slim Fast to Milk. Specifically, a 325 g serving of Slimfast’s Creamy Milk Chocolate meal replacement drink to an equal sized portion of 1% lowfat chocolate milk.
Look pretty similar, don’t they. The only difference is that the Slimfast drink has more carbohydrates or sugar than Chocolate Milk.
What is Slim Fast selling you?
It sure isn’t health food in a can. Save your $$$ and buy the chocolate milk, or if you want to up the protein, add some powdered skim milk or yogurt or protein powder.
Or get up 5 minutes sooner and mix some plain yogurt, frozen fruit and water in a blender and replace the Slim Fast faux chocolate milk with a fruit smoothie that is going to be healthier and more filling.
If you are really adventurous, add some crushed flax seeds or some molecularly distilled fish oils (see https://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/pregnant-mothers-intake-of-omega-3-key-to-babies-big-brains/ ) or some fresh ginger or…
Slim-Fast Creamy Milk Chocolate
Detailed Nutrition Facts
325 g serving
Energy 220 kcal
Protein 10 g
Total lipid (fat) 3 g
Carbohydrate, by difference 40 g
Calories in Milk, Chocolate, Fluid, Commercial, Lowfat
325 g serving
Energy 205 kcal
Protein 10.53 g
Total lipid (fat) 3.25 g
Carbohydrate, by difference 33.93 g
What an awesome site! Thank you for all the information!
I was wondering what do you think of whey protein shakes for breakfast. I am considering replacing my usual breakfast (2 fried eggs, a piece of whole wheat toast and a tall glass of fat-free milk ) with a protein shake in fat-free milk with frozen strawberries. I workout early in the morning (cardio or weights or both) and have breakfast afterwards.
Again, thanks a million, I’m happy I found your site!
That is a great post-workout shake.
The whey is fast absorbing and the casein in the milk will digest slower and give you a more sustained protein release for the period between breakfast and lunch.
You could always add a little yogurt for the probiotics.
And just to confuse things a little more, your fried egg breakfast may be a good addition a couple of hours after your whey shake. (Depending if your workout is designed to add muscle mass)
Quick protein/carb boost from the shake, followed up by a slower absorbing solid meal a couple of hours later to extend the post-workout anabolic period.
so we can have kidney beans then? because in Daniels’ blog the caveman/woman diet says not to eat beans. or maybe im getting confused. also is it ok to eat lentils and legumes? oh and i was wondering why i cant have corn, i usually have a bowl of corn and peas for dinner as something light, but now im not so sure if i should. and for morning i have a bowl of muesli (not the prepackaged kind) with malt free soy milk, and i know you say that i should have fruit instead but fruit is sooo not filling. so what might i be able to have instead, oh and im not sure if i should have protein powder i dont want to look bulky… 🙂
oh btw i really love your blog, its so informative and helpful, recently ive gained 2 kgs that i had lost last year, and now im back on the weightloss machine and im trying to do it right this time as opposed to last time where i wasn’t eating properly, and this time i really want to change my body, i want to see my leaner self. so keep up the good work 🙂
Thanks a lot for the info.
You recommend the shake first, then the eggs… I could probably only do this a couple of days a week (when I work from home), because as soon as I eat breakfast, I’m out the door.
Does it matter much if I eat the eggs first those days and take the shake to go? I was reading this post a couple of days ago, and to me it was all first news…
http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine060808.html
Maybe since you are a professional, this is old news, in any case, I am wondering which option is better for me. Eggs pack quite a bit of protein, but the shake also has the carbs in it… and timing seems to be essential here.
By the way, I am interested in gaining back my muscle mass and losing weight… If you have a chance, take a look at my blog, it’s so new it is still partially bubble-wrapped; it tells the story of my commitment to health and fitness.
Hi guys,
It was moving day for me today, so I am just a wee bit busy. I don’t want to give either of you a half-ass answer to you questions.
I will be back at it tomorrow with a full-ass answer.
Thanks for the comments.
everythingiseventual,
This post does not strictly follow the paleo model. I find it hard to stick with any one particular “diet”. My clients have different needs and tastes, so I end up mixing and matching. As a result, after hundreds of tries, I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t.
So, re the kidney beans/ corn and a paleo diet. They would be no-nos if you follow a strict paleo diet. Both need to be cooked to become edible (for humans anyway)
Health wise, beans are great for a number of reasons, bad for dieters for a couple of reasons. They are pretty dense sources of carbs, and as most North Americans (are you from N.Am?) have a problem with carbs, veggies become a much better choice of carbs. The second prob is gas – dieting is hard enough
The corn & peas have the same problem with carb density as beans.
Re the fruit & muesli at breakfast – If a big bowl of fruit or fruit smoothie with yogurt leaves you hungry, add the muesli in.
The reason I like fruit at breakfast is due to digestion. I have found that my clients see a boost in energy throughout the day with the fruit at breakfast instead of cereal & toast or bacon & eggs or any of the other more traditional breakfast fare.
But I still would want to see you satisfied (not full) after breakfast, so add in the muesli, but try to keep the fruit high and the muesli low.
The peas & corn at dinner may not be a good idea unless you are planning to burn a big chunk of calories after dinner.
Think of it this way, protein re-builds muscle (gross generalization, but more or less accurate), fat has a million different uses (most of your cell membranes are fat based), but carbs are used solely for energy.
If you eat carbs and proceed to plop on the couch to spend the night watching t.v., what is going to happen to the carbs.
Carbs = increased blood sugar, increased blood sugar = increased insulin, increased insulin = carbs converted and stored as fat for later use.
Guaranteed
So, peas & corn ok if you are going to burn them off.
My advice – carbs & protein meals morning and early afternoon
Protein & fat meals late afternoon – evening.
Marco,
Real life always seems to get in the way, doesn’t it.
Best case scenario, fruit before the eggs – it’s a digestion thing.
But, if that doesn’t work with your schedule, but you can eat the eggs and home and take a smoothie on the road – that’s great.
If my version is perfect (kidding – my ego ain’t that big), yours is 90%, and if it works with your schedule, you are more likely to keep it up and avoid the McD’s drive-thru.
Re the Dr.Mirkin article, he is right on about the carb/insulin connection.
We can get a lot more efficient than his suggestion. Current research shows that pre – workout nutrition + during the workout nutrition & post workout nutrition works much better than just post workout.
When I diet & want to hold onto muscle, I cut carbs all day, but make up a big protein/carb shake for my daily workout (HIIT or resistance training or long cardio) I start sipping 1/2 hr before, keep sipping during the workout (some people get nauseous) and have it done 1/2 hr post workout. I usually add in some glutamine & creatine to help maintain muscle mass.
Give me a shout if you have any specific questions.
I am going to shoot over to your blog now.
omg DR im so screwed! this calls for a complete overhaul of my diet, coming from the subcontinent means that rice and ‘roti’ or bread are huge parts of our diet, ive already cut that out and replaced or atleast tried to replace it with lentils and legumes, and beans and peas and corn (the poor mans vegetables 🙂 now im just lost… thanx though, uve been an absolute help, no wonder i havent lost any weight in these past two weeks even though ive been busting my ass exercising.
[…] 5 Steps To A Healthy, Fat-Melting Meal Plan […]
Cool post. I just realised that the day I went really hard out on increasing my Omega 3 intake was followed by a loss of 2kg (about 5pounds) over the next two days.
Just scanning through old posts, and I noticed the Spicy Nuts and Seeds recipe. TEN small garlic cloves? Really? Is that a typo? Because if not…I love garlic, and that seems like a lot even to me.
love your site but just wondered isn’t all that fruit for breakfast very high in sugar? looking at trying a low GI diet and worried that if i eat fruit for brekkie i will be getting a huge sugar kick?
Great article post. Fantastic.
[…] wise, my paleo meal is far superior to the crappy frozen pizza. Vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytochemicals, etc. I won’t even mention all of the chemicals and low quality protein, fats & carbs […]
Great article post. Having a fish allergy, I won’t be doing the fish oil. I get my omega 3s from Arbonne International. All their products are certified vegan and they didn’t give you the gross fish taste in your mouth after you take them. Love Arbonne’s protein shakes too.
I love fruit!
Awesome post, thanks. I did poorly with just fruit in the morning- I was tired, dizzy and prone to overeating during my day- so immediately before bed I eat a tablespoon of almond butter (Im sure there’s an insulin-related science at play here that I don’t understand) and in the morning I have fruit and a scoop of hemp protein powder shake with coconut milk. I love your above vitamin recs, and they really make an important difference for me. I recently started a pre-natal vitamin for most of the nutrients you mentioned and it’s been amazing for my energy, appearance, and immunity. A tip for people who are put off by the fishy aftertaste of omega-3s: store the pills in the freezer.
Very simple steps that anyone can implement immediately!
I stay away from lettuce wraps because I have never been able to make/eat one without it completely falling apart. That’s especially bad when you need to take it to work.
And, TEN cloves of garlic in the snack recipe? I love garlic, but that seems like overkill to me.