Lentil soup diet.

*This isn't intended as medical advice and I can not be liable for any outcomes from said diet. You should always consult with a doctor prior to weight loss. Eat at your own risk.*

Who likes those warnings? But there's always that group of idiots who take things too far.

No, this isn't a fad diet or a quick fix. It's a nice substitution diet for when you need to lose a few pounds or you want to detox and help your GI track. Either way it's shown that eating plenty of fiber and foods that are good for you will actually help you lose weight, have proper bowel movements, improve your health and over all well being.

I eat this sometimes when my IBD is flaring because of the veggies and the fiber, it tends to settle things down a little. I pureed mine more then you will but it also depends on the texture you are looking for. Sometimes I like mine a little more coarse but my last batch I made was smooth.

Why it's good for you:

High in fiber, nutrients, low in calories and good for you. Do you think I am going to list out why it's good for you? Do you know how long of a list that would be?! Omgosh, I really don't have that kind of time!

How about you look at these links for yourself, k?

Lentils
Carrot
Onion
Celery
Red pepper
Garlic
Spinach

Don't forget those spices!

Oregano
Basil
Cumin
Thyme
Ground black pepper

Seriously people, it's good for you! How does this compare to fad diets? You are getting benefits that affect you from head to toe in just one bowl! Now imagine how you are going to feel if you have two bowls a day?! You are going to feel great!

How it works:

You are going to wake up and a sensible breakfast.

Example:
Whole oats and a boiled egg with either fresh fruit or a glass of juice but not both. And a dairy, either cheese, milk or yogurt.

Snacks:
1 protein item : Egg, cheese, nuts, lean white meat, fish, chicken, turkey and peanut butter, etc.

-or-

1 portion of fresh fruits

-or-

1 serving of any raw or fresh veggie.

Lunch and dinner:

Depending on your weight:

160lbs or less 1 cup to 1.5 cups of lentil soup and a protein and half a serving of fruit.

160lbs or more 1.5 cups to 2 cups of lentil soup and a protein and half a serving of fruit.

So here's how it goes:

Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Protein snack

Off limits food:
Pop, soda, processed food, fried foods, high salt foods, processed sugars and flours. Limit coffee, try teas instead.

Stick to raw and fresh foods.

If you must eat bread, eat whole grain dark breads. Eat whole wheat or grain cereals.

Drink PLENTY of water! You need to flush your system and cleanse your colon and you can't do that without water.

No more then THREE portions of dairy a day. You are trying to be kind to your GI tract. Not to mention that dairy is loaded with calories and fat.

*If you get that gnawing sensation that you are hungry and you can't wait to your next meal, eat a 1/2 portion from the snack list to tide you over*

Your stomach and your brain are going to try to convince you that this isn't enough, well it is. Eventually and hopefully all the fiber will fill you up and you shouldn't have hunger issues. It's purely a mind over body issue. We eat to large of portions so this is going to seem like so little when really it's enough.

If you have a sweet tooth, you will notice a withdraw stage or an increased craving for sugar. That's ok, just nip in the bud with a handful of grapes or an apple. Eventually, it will go away.

I don't do this longer then a week. You'll get bored out of your mind with the lentil soup and never want to see it again if you did it longer then this. What it is intended to do is get you on the right track.

So I am going to eat this for a week and the week afterwards rotate it in my meals. Then later on do another week.

You can't just eat this and lose weight, I am sure you could but that's not the point. You have to get off your butt and be active, you will lose even more weight then you if you just sat on your butt. For real people, I did say this isn't a quick fix.

I've lost any where from three to eight pounds in one week on this diet, so it is indeed possible!

Recipe:
2 tbls of EVVO
2 cups red lentils
3 carrots chopped
3 celery chopped
1 onion or 1/4 of a large onion
3-5 cloves of garlic chopped
1 bunch of spinach
1 red pepper chopped
1/4 tsp of ground black pepper
1 tsp of dried oregano
1 tsp of dried basil
1/2 tsp of dried thyme
1/2 tsp of cumin
dash of red pepper flakes
2 boxes of low sodium veg broth

*you can always add more veggies to this, just add them in with the rest of the veggies.*

Directions:

1) In a hot soup pan add in oil and carrots, onions, celery, pepper and garlic. Saute until onions are transparent.

2) Add in lentils, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Cumin, Red pepper flakes, ground pepper and veggie broth. Taste and season until it taste good to you. Some like theirs on the bland side and some like it on the spicy side, it's up to you. If it needs more seasoning, add some, wait five minutes and taste again. Keep doing so until it taste good to you.

3) Bring to a boil for ten minutes, stir often.

4) Simmer on medium-low for an hour.

5) Cool and add into blender and puree until you get a consistency you desire. Refrigerate.

Enjoy and be healthy!