For my internship, I have to try out a therapeutic diet for 3 days. We could choose from a list of about 15 diets, for example low-salt, mediterranean, gluten-free…. but, that sounded too easy. So, to make things interesting, I asked my preceptor to choose the diet for me – because, hey, in reality, who gets to choose their therapeutic diet?
So, today is Ornish Diet, Day 1.
What is the Ornish diet? In short, it is a vegetarian diet with emphasis on whole grains and complex carbs. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes are free foods. Nonfat dairy is allowed, in moderation. No meat, fish, or egg yolks (egg whites are OK) or low fat/full fat dairy. The kicker? No oils, nuts, avocados, etc. That means I had zero peanut butter on my banana this morning…. waaahhhhh!
A good thing about the diet is that you aren’t supposed to need to measure or count anything. You just eat the right foods, until you are full but not stuffed. The idea is that you’ll get around 10% of calories from fat. It’s also expected that you’ll feel hungry, so the diet recommends smaller, more frequent meals. (= guiltless snacking!)
I, of course, am measuring because I am a nutrition NERD!!! And I think it will be interesting to see where I end up in terms of the % carb, protein, and fat, and calorie-wise.
Breakfast was:
- 1 banana
- 2 weetabix
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1/2 cup high fiber cereal
Snack was:
- 6 prunes
Lunch was:
- 1 cup cooked bulgur
- 3/4 cup black beans cooked with flavor cubes! (see Brazilian beans)
- 2 small beets
- 2 tablespoons of homemade tzaziki
This was sooooo good and pretty, I’m sorry I didn’t take a picture of it. But there’s more, so I’ll snap it next time! 
Snack was:
- 2 cups of Barbara’s Shredded Spoonfuls, multigrain
- 1 cup of frozen mango/berries from Trader Joes
calories so far: 1,178
tolerability: not bad! I actually feel like I’ve been eating all day, so I’m surprised my calories aren’t higher.
I have yet to plan what I’m having for dinner… will probably scrounge the kitchen and see what fit’s the bill!
Happy Sunday,
Emily