What Are You Allowed To Eat For Dinner On Medifast?
Of all of the meals that I get asked about on Medifast, questions about dinner are the most common. Most people embrace the Medifast lean and green meal that they make themselves because this means that they can eat dinner with their families. This makes the diet a lot more convenient and easy to take because you aren’t having to make two meals at night when you just want to relax.
But as cool as having flexibility with your dinner can be, there’s sometimes some confusion as to what you are allowed to eat for dinner on Medifast. I recently heard from someone who said “what foods can you eat for dinner on this diet? Because I’d very much like to incorporate what I’m already making for my family and use that for my lean and green, but I’m not sure if I can eat what I am feeding them.” So, in the following article, I’ll try to clarify what types of foods you’re allowed to eat on the lean and green (if you are having that main meal for your dinner.)
When You Break It Down, You Only Need To Make Lean Protein And Vegetables: I honestly think that people make the idea behind the lean and green a little more difficult than it needs to be. When you get the “quick start” guide with your order, you will see that the company breaks the protein down into 3 categories: the lean, the leaner, and the leanest. If you chose the leanest option (fish, seafood, eggs, etc.) then you’re allowed 7 ounces. If you go with the leaner option (chicken, turkey, tofu, etc.) you can have 6 ounces. But if you go with only the lean (like lean red meat, lamb, dark meat poultry, or pork) then you can only have 5 ounces. I have to be honest and tell you that some days, I’m more than happy to eat 5 ounces of lean red meat instead of 7 ounces of seafood.
They also separate out the vegetables in terms of its starch content and carb content. (As an example, lower carb veggies are foods like cucumbers, mushrooms, and squash while the higher carb veggies are things like green beans and peppers.) However, remember that very sweet or starchy vegetables (like potatoes, corn, and peas) are frowned upon in the beginning when you are still in the weight loss part of the plan. Also, they allow you some fats like olives, low fat salad dressing, oils, and mayonnaise.
In its simplest form, you’re looking at 5 – 7 ounces of lean protein (depending on how lean the protein you chose actually is,) and 3 vegetables. What people often do not realize is that, as long as you include these proteins and veggies, there aren’t a lot of limitations about what types of food or meals you can eat. People often envision a piece of grilled chicken with a three vegetable salad as a typical lean and green meal. And there is most certainly nothing wrong with this. But you can also do a soup, stew, stir fry, or casserole. You can even achieve this with a carefully chosen frozen dinner or restaurant meal.
Some people will get very picky or anxious with their lean and green. They worry a lot about calories and carbs. They worry that they must always choose the leanest options. I’ve never felt the need to do this. I figure as long as I mostly choose 3 healthy proteins and 3 decent vegetables, then I’m fine. I’ll even admit that I occasionally include those starchy vegetables that are frowned upon, but I’m perfectly happy with my results.
Most people are able to incorporate their lean and green meal within their family’s regular dinner. Sure, you may need to make some adjustments and omissions when it’s time to build your own portion, but making up a meal with lean protein and vegetables truly isn’t all that difficult and will often give you more options than you might have suspected.