Diet author uses pudding as slimming secret in her new book
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Following a diet can be an unpleasant experience, which is why dietitian Cynthia Sass wrote 'Slim Down Now,' taking a new angle on an old American past time that many fail at.
"You need a concept that you can relate to in your everyday life that helps you put meals together in a way that's sustainable and sane," said Sass.
Sane, but surprising!
To get people's attention, you have to have a gimmick, and Sass has that with her four-day pudding plan. Yes, four days of pudding.
But the recipes are sound, sensible and satisfying to help you get your weight loss game on.
"I had many women lose up to 8 pounds in four days eating this pudding three times a day," said Sass.
With many sick of the protein and veggie approach, the chocolate, mango or figgy pudding recipes include good proteins, carbs and fats for the first phase.
Post pudding phase, it's time for what Sass calls the 'Daily Pulse.' That refers to the beans, legumes and peas that are all incorporated into what she calls your daily wardrobe of foods.
"So you've got three basic wardrobe components -- think a top, a bottom and shoes," said Sass.
Those three food wardrobe staples are protein, veggies and good fat.
Pick one from each column at every meal plus an 'accessory' like fruit, whole grain, a starchy veggie or legume.
Sass says it's a shame Americans don't get enough beans or legumes in their diet as they're a powerhouse of nutrients.
"They've been shown to up calorie and fat burning, reduce belly fat and really control cravings and hunger," she said.
Her book takes the 'move more, exercise less' approach as research suggests those working hard in their workouts aren't always getting the expected benefits.
"They become less active in their non-exercise hours and they eat more to kind of compensate for those workouts," Sass said.
So do what you love. Stress, time constraints and a boring workout are three barriers that keep us from moving. Pudding aside, you still have to move.
