Daily Abs Menu: Oct. 5

So I thought I would start posting my daily menu. Just so you know, This is what I plan to eat today. Sometimes my stomach is too full to eat all of it. Specially when I drink 1 liter of water every day. But I thought it would help you get some ideas.

Meal 1: B'fast -- Bagel chips, hummus, and avocado with olive oil dressing.
Meal 2: Snack -- Plain yogurt and sunflower seeds.
Meal 3: Lunch -- Garbanzo bean salad with cottage cheese, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and taco seasoning. Banana.
Meal 4: Snack -- Whey Protein drink
Meal 5: Dinner -- Spinach soup, homemade crotons and pan fried lentils.
Meal 6: Snack -- Almonds

Protein Ideas

I was recently appalled when a relative of mine told me that she rarely ate protein. Not being a meat lover, she kept running short of ideas. Protein is a key fat buster. Your body needs it. So don't eat a single meal without protein!

Here is my list of healthy protein ideas:

• Egg- any variation
• Dry mung dal
• Hummus
• Chole or garbanzo beans
• Sprouted green mung
• Tuver dal
• Quinoa Indian style Upma
• Avocado
• Nuts
• Tofu
• Peanut butter
• Kidney beans salad
• Black beans salad
• Soy milk
• Soy beans
• Soy nuggets (available in Indian stores)
• Whey powder

And of course meats and fish.

I plan on posting recipes for all of the above soon. If there is something you want to see first, let me know!

12 Staples

According to the Abs diet, there are 12 staple foods. Do I eat all of them every single day? Nope. I eat what I can. And there is some stuff in there that I don't really care for. But I try to include most of it in my daily diet. Here goes:

1. Almonds and nuts
2. Spinach and other green veggies
3. Dairy product
4. Peanut butter
5. Turkey and lean meats
6. Beans, legumes and lentils
7. Olive oil
8. Oatmeal
9. Rasberries and other berries
10. Whey Protein drink
11. Eggs
12. Whole grain breads

One of the best thing I learned is to combine food. Eat a handful of nuts with some raspberries. Mix and match. Treat every meal like a reverence to you body. How much good stuff can I cram in one meal?

Instead of the traditional diets where you deprive yourself of food and essentials, this is more like a celebration. Eat often. Small meals. Make the meals meaningful. Something you would enjoy and the body enjoys.

Good luck and keep me posted!