Shrinking Sisters

Checking out Nutrisystem's new foods

Sick as a dog -- that's what I've been this weekend.

(Although when my dog feels sick he goes into the back yard, eats some grass and pukes on the dining room carpet, so I'm not sick like that.)

I was guzzling Theraflu all weekend, taking advantage of the appetite-killing properties of the decongestant. So Super Bowl Sunday didn't cause any damage. Hubby grilled hamburgers, which I'm sure were delicious, but I couldn't really taste anything.

And being sick meant my husband did the grocery shopping, so now we have 5 pounds of baby carrots and seven heads of garlic -- overkill but greatly appreciated.

(Anybody have any garlic carrot recipes?)

Thankfully I have some soup to comfort me, courtesy of Nutrisystem. They sent me some of their new entrees to check out and some are really good, including their new wraps (buffalo chicken, Southwest chicken, barbecued pork, at right) and new soups (the chicken tortilla and creamy tomato are excellent).

The entrees have added fiber and protein to keep the glycemic index on the down low, helping to satisfy your hunger.

Their new breakfast muffins are a big improvement over past varieties. The blueberry and double chocolate muffins are great. And while the cinnamon bun (at left) isn't like anything you'll find at Cinnabon, it is a satisfying substitute. And what cinnamon bun do you know that has 7 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber?

I also wanted to find out about their Jumpstart plan that's being touted in TV commercials. Part of that are Nutrisystem Flavorfulls, drink powders in lemonade and iced tea flavors that contain 3 grams of fiber per serving. The Jumpstart also includes a one-on-on phone consultation and a success packet with tips for success. The lemonade Flavorfulls were my favorite and were a good way to sneak in more fiber and take the edge off a grumbly tummy. 

And while I haven't been doing Nutrisystem 100 percent, I ate it for most of my meals and snacks last week and discovered that I lost 4 pounds -- just the jump start that I needed.

5 things I have learned while doing Nutrisystem

I've been doing Nutrisystem for the past month, trying out their new Nutrisystem-D program for diabetics. I'm not diabetic but the program can be great for anyone hoping to get their blood sugar down to a healthier level.

I'm switching over to the regular women's program this month, to see the difference.

Problem is, I'm a notoriously bad dieter. I think it's because I have an "all or nothing" approach to plans. Either I'm on 100 percent or I'm off -- and I need to change that mindset. So I'm going to do that this month. I did lose a few pounds in May but not the kind of results that make me happy. June will be better because I feel more in control now. But here are 5 things I've learned while doing Nutrisystem:

1. Eating more fruits and vegetables is the key to happiness. Sure, some of the entrees may look dinky but if you mix them with a cup of cooked veggies your entree will be far more filling. For instance, I mixed my Pasta Parmesan with Broccoli with a cup of cooked broccoli and turned that little cardboard cup of lunch into a pretty big meal. Plus, the added produce adds to the already substantial fiber content of the Nutrisystem food, so I'm rarely hungry.
2. I have a whole new appreciation for portion control. Ever since I've been doing Nutrisystem, I've realized that I can get by on smaller meals.
3. Make the program work for you. This is what I wasn't doing the first month. If we were going to a baseball game and I couldn't smuggle an entree into my handbag I would consider the whole day shot. Now, instead, I think about the day ahead, plan out my meals, and if I can't do a Nutrisystem meal, I plan out a balanced substitute meal.
4. Dairy products are very filling. For my dairy/protein addition to the plan, I usually reach for 2/3 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt or those great little individual 3/4-ounce pieces of Cabot 50 Percent Reduced Fat Cheddar. Occasionally I'll use an ounce of deli turkey breast wrapped around a carrot or celery stick.
5. I feel more in control of my diet when I have limited choices. The night before, I grab a breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner from my Nutrisystem stash and know that I won't have to think too much about my eating plan for the day. And even though my day is planned out, I still make sure to journal what I'm eating, because all the add-ins (fruit, veggies, dairy, fat, protein) can add up.