Healthy Food Choices for the Abs Diet

Last Update: September 18, 2008

Video By: LIVESTRONG.COM

The Abs Diet was created by the editor of Men's Health magazine, originally intended for men, although that is no longer the case. Learn how to make healthy food choices for the Abs Diet from a licensed dietician and nutritionist in this health and nutrition video.

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  • Include 12 power foods
  • Follow acronym plan
  • 6 week plan

About this Author

Christine E. Marquette is a registered and licensed Dietician with the Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, TX. She conducts nutrition therapy for ages 2 and up for all dietary needs.

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Video Transcript

The Abs Diet was created by the editor of Men's Health Magazine. Originally, it was targeted for men but it does have principles that can be applied by anybody. It is a six-week plan that consists of eating three meals and three snacks on a daily basis. The key to this particular diet plan is actually including 12 of what they refer to as power foods, and you can remember this power foods by the acronym ABS DIET POWER. A is for almonds or other type of nuts. B would be for beans, other legumes such as black beans. S is for spinach or other type of leafy greens. D would be for dairy, preferably non-fat or low-fat dairy. I would be for instant oatmeal. E would be for eggs. T would be for turkey or other lean meats such as tuna. P would be for peanut butter. O would be for olive oil. W would be for whole grains. E, the other E, would be for extra whey protein, and R would be for raspberries or other berries. When following this plan, you're not counting calories. The key is portion control. What you will want to do is have a plate and fill your plate no more than the size of the diameter of a regular plate, not an extra large plate, and you always want to include at least two other power foods. So again, you would be including some type of leafy green or some type of lean protein or some type of whole grain in every one of your meals. The other part of this particular plan emphasizes strength training and interval training.

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