My Newest Adventure in Healthy Eating

As I mentioned in a previous blog, my parents and I (as their "guide") are reading about and following Prevention Magazine's "Flat Belly Diet". It's based on the incorporation of more monounsaturated fatty acids (a.k.a. MUFA, a.k.a. healthy, good-for-you fats) into your eating regimen. There are five main categories of MUFA: oils, olives, avocados, nuts & seeds, and dark chocolate. (Yes, that's right...DARK CHOCOLATE!)

The program is kicked-off with a 4 day "detox" of sorts that they call the anti-bloat jumpstart. Beyond that the program takes into account portion control and emphasizes eating a MUFA at every meal. We just started the jumpstart 3 days ago and already my dad has reported a loss of 3 pounds and my mom a loss of 1 pound. (Granted, it's mostly water-weight at this stage in the game, but it has them feeling good, which is the most important thing!)

The program promises not only weight-loss, but also a decrease in visceral belly fat (an average of 33% in 1 month!) which is the deadly fat that surrounds your organs and makes you susceptible to countless unhealthy conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Also, it promises a loss of inches (mainly from the stomach area, hence the name) as well as a significant drop in cholesterol. Not too shabby!

We're still in the beginning stages, but we're very excited about the potential results! I'll keep you updated as this month progresses, and let me know if you have any questions about the "Flat Belly Diet" program.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.