You are assigned a calorie target based on your weight. You are then assigned your containers based on your caloric need. These containers are color coded based on the food groups. I'm going to be honest-- the first time (probably a couple of years ago) that I heard about the container system, I thought it sounded gimmicky, and there's nothing I hate more than a gimmicky diet. However, this is basic old-school food pyramid stuff-- food groups plus portion sizes made simple.
So, back to the containers:
Green = Veggies
Purple = Fruit
Red = Protein
Yellow = Carbs
Blue = Healthy Fats
Orange = Seeds & Dressings
Teaspoons = Oil and Nut butters
So, if you're in the top calorie range, as I am, you get to eat 6 containers of veggies each day (always the hardest for me, but I'm learning some tricks), 4 containers of fruit, 6 containers of protein, 4 containers of carbs, 1 container of healthy fat, 1 container of seeds or dressings, and 6 tsps of oils and/or nut butters. Also, there's nothing magical about the container sizes. Green and purple each measure 1 cup, for example, and yellow is 1/4 cup.
So, you can eat these container servings in any combination you choose for each meal, and the food lists provided are all inclusive of any and every healthy food you can think of. There are pretty much limitless options and combinations to choose from and create. AND the measuring is made simpler than it's been in the history of ever.
I wanted to share a typical day for me in the top calorie range, so here's my today.
I started my day before my breakfast was even ready with some lemon water.
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| Nora thinks it's funny that I keep taking pictures of my food and drinks |
3 hard boiled eggs (1.5 red), sauteed red potatoes and asparagus (1 yellow, 1 green, 1 tsp of olive oil), 1 orange (1 purple), 16 oz of water (from the lemon water)
Post workout (Total Body Cardio) snack:
Cafe Latte Shakeology (1 red), small banana (1 purple), peanut butter (2 tsp)
Lunch:
Whole wheat pasta (1 yellow), baked chicken (1.5 red), sauteed asparagus (1 green, 1 tsp olive oil), vinaigrette dressing (1 orange), 1 sliced apple (1 purple), and 16 oz of water
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| I was part way through eating when I remembered to take a picture to share. |
Snack:
1 plain rice cake (0.5 yellow), natural peanut butter (2 tsp), and my one indulgence for the day, a can of diet coke.
Dinner:
Taco salad with lean ground beef, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, on dark leafy greens with a sprinkling of cheese on top (1 red, 1 yellow, 2 green, 1 blue) plus 16 oz of water
Snack:
Shakeology pudding! 1 scoop of Shakeology (1 red), 4 oz unsweetened almond milk (free!), a few strawberries (1/2 purple), 16 oz of water
OMG. I wish I had taken a picture of this sweet, amazingly healthy snack. It was my first time trying it, and I was not disappointed. I will never have a night time sweet tooth issue again because this was legitimately delicious.
So, when all was said and done, I had consumed 4/6 green (veggies), 3.5/4 purple (fruit), 6/6 red (protein), 3.5/4 yellow (carbs), 1/1 blue (healthy fat), 1/1 orange (seeds and dressings), and 6/6 tsps of oil and nut butter.
I also had a goal to drink 10 cups of water, and I came in at 13! There are a few not listed above because I was sipping water in between meals as well.
So, what's not to love? My food options and combinations are a-plenty. I'm clearly NOT going to go hungry on this plan. If anything, the challenge is to eat all of the food I'm supposed to eat in a day. The Shakeology is delicious and provides for a delicious shake or dessert. I've been able to eat at restaurants without issue. There are plenty of on-the-go options. I can't think of a single thing not to like.
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