Remember that this isn’t just about losing weight — that’s the part that shows.  Following this faithfully will lower your cholesterol. And if studies are to be believed, calorie restriction will help you to live longer and grow new brain cells. [See ‘About this Blog’ for links to the original TV show about Fast Dieting.]  Those are good reasons, as far as I’m concerned, to follow this lifestyle and stick to it. What is there to eat on Monday?

Coddled Egg Breakfast: 280 calories  These eggs can be prepared in an ‘egg coddler’  or in a custard cup. If using an official coddler, fill a pan with enough water to cover the coddler by an inch. If using a custard cup, put enough water in the pan to come half-way up the cup. Spray the cup with non-stick spray and break one 2-oz egg into the container. Add 1½ tsp grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, herbs, and screw on the lid. Lower the coddler into barely-boiling water and simmer 4 minutes. Turn off heat and leave the eggs in the water 1-2 minutes longer, depending on how you like your eggs. Meanwhile toast ½ slice of 70-cal bread. Mix ¼ c. blueberries with 1 Tbsp yogurt and serve on the side. Coffee or tea. Fruit smoothie [Blog Post #1] or 6 oz apple cider.

Shrimp Stir-fry with Soba Noodles: 275 calories Cook 1 oz of dry soba [or udon] noodles in a quart of water about 4 minutes. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, shell 3 oz raw shrimp and cut in half across the body.  Peel 2 oz carrot and slice into coins. Slice 1½ oz green cabbage and 1 oz onion. Measure 1.5 tsp soy sauce. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a cast iron pan or wok. Add the carrot, cabbage, and onion and stir-fry for 3 minutes. Add the shrimp and any liquid and cook one minute more. Toss the cooked noodles into the pan and mix to warm them. Add 1 oz chopped green onion [or a Tbsp steamed chopped broccoli], salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Toss to mix ingredients.  If you think this sounds complicated and long, I did it in 25 minutes and that included peeling carrots and cleaning shrimp. Satisfying and good to eat.  If you don’t like shrimp, substitute just under 2 oz sliced chicken breast.