Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

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vegetables, carbohydrates, and fruits. These groups
have rules about when to eat them, which groups
should be always be eaten together, and which should
never be eaten together.


If a meal is going to include proteins orfats,suchas
any kind of meat, then it must be eaten with a vegetable.
A meal withproteinor fat can never be eaten with
carbohydrates. This means that many desserts are not
allowed because although butter and shortening are
allowed, the dieter cannot eat them with any form of
starch, which eliminates many desserts such as cookies
and cakes.


If a meal contains carbohydrates, it cannot con-
tain any form of protein or fat. This means if the meal
contains whole grain bread, it cannot contain any
meat. Meals containing carbohydrates must also con-
tain vegetables. This means that whole grain pasta
tossed with vegetables is allowed, but the dieter may
not include any olive oil or butter on the pasta.


There are three other rules for the diet. If the dieter
eats any kind of fruit it must be eaten alone, not with
any other food type, and it should be eaten on an
empty stomach. If a dieter is going to eat a meal or
snack of the protein/fat category he or she must wait at
least three hours before eating another meal or snack if
that meal or snack is going to be from the carbohy-
drate category. The dieter is not allowed to skip meals
while on this diet.


The Suzanne Somers weight loss plan allows all
variety of fats to be eaten during the diet. This includes
foods such as cream cheese, butter, and sour cream
that may not usually be thought of as diet foods. Meat
products of all varieties are also allowed. Most fruits
are allowed, although not bananas, because they are
high in carbohydrates. Many vegetables are allowed,
although not carbohydrate heavy vegetables such as
corn, beets, or squash. The diet plan has three stages,
which are called Level 1, Almost Level 1, and Level 2.

Level 1
Level 1 is for dieters who are just beginning the
diet. This is the most strict period of the diet. During
this stage no alcohol is allowed, nor are foods such as
avocados, nuts, olives, orsoy.

Almost Level 1
Almost level 1 is for dieters who have been follow-
ing Suzanne Somers diet for some time. When the
dieter is beginning to see significant results he or she
can move to this level. The idea behind this level is that
these dieters can eat some foods or combinations of
foods that are not optimal on a very occasional basis
without compromising their weight loss goals.

Level 2
This is the level for dieters who have reached their
goal weight and are looking to maintain this weight.
This maintenance phase allows some foods in moder-
ation that were forbidden during the early phases of
the diet. The allowed foods now include alcohol and
soy. Also during this phase the dieter can sometimes
make combinations of foods forbidden during other
phases, such as some carbohydrates with fats. Eating
in a way not allowed by the other phases of the plan is
intended to be done only in moderation and only on an
occasional basis.
Suzanne Somers Weight Loss Plan is a plan that
focuses almost exclusively on food, with only a minor
focus on exercise and stress reduction techniques.
There are also some encouraging words from Somers
herself. She has produced many different cookbooks
that are designed for use while on the diet and tell the
dieter which level of the diet each recipe is appropriate
for. Because it can often be difficult for busy dieters to
find the time to cook meals that are fresh, good tast-
ing, and follow the diet’s recommendations, Suzanne
Somers also offers a wide variety of convenience prod-
ucts specifically designed to be used while on her diet.
These include supplements, shakes, and bars. She also
offers many prepackaged foods such as steaks, apple

KEY TERMS


Diabetes mellitus—A condition in which the body
either does not make or cannot respond to the
hormone insulin. As a result, the body cannot use
glucose (sugar). There are two types, type 1 or
juvenile onset and type 2 or adult onset.
Dietary supplement—A product, such as a vitamin,
mineral, herb, amino acid, or enzyme, that is
intended to be consumed in addition to an individ-
ual’s diet with the expectation that it will improve
health.
Mineral—An inorganic substance found in the
earth that is necessary in small quantities for the
body to maintain a health. Examples: zinc, copper,
iron.
Vitamin—A nutrient that the body needs in small
amounts to remain healthy but that the body cannot
manufacture for itself and must acquire through
diet.

Suzanne Somers weight loss plan
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