DescriptionThe once forbidden food for dieters was incorpo-
rated into some weight-loss plans by the end of the
20th Century. Furthermore, people concerned about
health issues like high cholesterol could turn to choc-
olate as a potential preventive measure.The Pasta-Popcorn-Chocolate Diet
Details about Neimark’s diet on the Internet were
limited to what foods were allowed and what were
excluded. There was no information about how long
the diet lasted or how much weight a dieter could
expect to lose. There were limited recommendations
for serving sizes. The specified portions included 1
ounce (28.3 grams) of chocolate. This is the equivalent
of one baking chocolate square.
The online versions of the diet showed a menu
plan for one day, with several meal selections for the
dieter to choose from. Other variety in the diet came
from choosing different fruits, vegetables, and low-fat
pasta sauces. Popcorn could be topped with nonfat
butter substitutes or a bit of parmesan cheese. Salt was
not permitted.
Thedietofthreemealsandthreesnacksconsistsof:
Breakfast of fresh fruit, fruit salad, or shredded
wheat with non-fat milk and strawberries.
A morning snack of air-popped popcorn or fruit.
Lunch of salad, pasta salad, or spaghetti. Pasta sauces
should be meatless, low fat, and low sodium. Low-
calorie salad dressing is allowed
An afternoon snack of popcorn or a fruit smoothie
made with 1 cup (236.6 milliliters) non-fat skim milk.
Dinner of fettuccini with garlic tomato sauce, whole-
wheat pasta primavera salad, or steamed vegetables.
Evening snack of popcorn or 1 ounce (28.3 grams) of
chocolate.
The dieter should drink 2 quarts (2 liters) of water
but could not consume
Coffee or other caffeinated beverages or carbonated
soft drinks.
Sugars, raisins and dates because of the high sugar
content, and snack foods like cakes and pie.
Oils, fried foods, and oily foods like avocados, olives,
and coconut.
Oils, fried foods, and oily foods like avocados,
olives, and coconut.
Red meats and dairy products.
Nuts, seeds, and snack foods like chips.Sally Ann Voak’s chocolate diets
The front cover ofThe Chocolate Dietpromised
that the reader could eat chocolate and lose seven
pounds in two weeks. Voak’s book contains quizzes
to determine whether a person is a chocoholic and
which of the six diets a person should follow. Each
weight loss plan includes selections that fit within the
calorie count for meals, strategies for a person to fol-
low, and recommendations for exercises and other
activities. The book also includes recipes and a calorie
guide for chocolate candies that fit within the diet plan.
British and American brands of chocolate are listed.
Each of the diets starts with a week of withdrawal
from chocolate. During this time, Voak wrote, people
start to control their cravings for chocolate. All
weight-loss plans include unlimited amounts of vege-
tables from a list of 28 low-calorie selections. The free
vegetables include asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms,
red and green peppers, spinach, tomatoes, and water-
cress. The six diets include items from all of the food
groups. The diets were designed for women; men con-
sume 300 more calories each day.
Voak’s diet plans are for:
Secret Bingers, people who hide chocolate and don’t
want others to know they eat it. The plan consists of
a 250-calorie breakfast, two light meals of 350 calo-
ries each, a 400-calore main meal, and a 100-calorie
treat. In the second week and in following weeks,
there is a daily chocolate allowance of 150 calories.
Dieters may also have a 200-calorie dessert or bever-
age, with choices selected from recipes in the book.
Romantics are often single and use chocolate as a
substitute for love. Their menu plan is a 250-calorie
breakfast, 350-calorie light meal, 400-calore main
meal, and a 100-calorie treat. After the second week,
they may spend 300 calories on a chocolate treat three
times a week.
Comfort eaters consume chocolate when tired or
faced with a problem. Their plan consists of a 250-
calorie breakfast, 350-calorie light meal, 400-calore
main meal, and two 50-calorie treats. In the second
week, there is a daily chocolate allowance of 200
calories. In following weeks, the allowance is 50
calories.
Weekend Indulgers associate chocolate with celebra-
tions. Their daily calorie allowance is 1,350 during
the week and 1,600 on the weekend. The menu plan is
a 250-calorie breakfast, 350-calorie light meal, 400-
calore main meal, and two 100-calorie treats. After
the second week, 300 calories in chocolate is allowed
on each weekend day.Chocolate diet