Holli Thompson

Miss A’s “Anna Wintour” Diet meets Nutritional Style

If you follow “Miss A.” (an online magazine I write for at  www.askmissa.com), you’ve heard about Editor in Chief Andrea Rodger’s recent photo shoot with Vogue magazine and her subsequent last minute diet to trim down a few pounds.  Andrea is an ideal weight for her size, and looks fabulous, but she felt the need to be more “camera ready” to prepare for the 10 pounds that the camera adds.

I recently went through something similar when Style FX called and asked me to fly out to LA for a guest Health Coach TV appearance.  Knowing that the camera adds weight, what’s a girl to do?

I’m a Nutrition Coach and work with people daily on long term weight loss programs, and I KNOW that slow and long term weight loss is the healthiest way to lose; it also insures that the weight stays off.  We have all been through quick weight loss schemes and diets to gain back everything and more.

Try telling that to a woman who is facing a Vogue camera lens in couple of weeks.  She needed to do something fast and it had to be very comfortable for her to do, so Andrea included her own “go to” foods for weight loss.

In reviewing Andrea’s plan, which she published last week, there are many things that I applaud her for including, and a few glaring “Oh NO!” items that I beg her to get rid of now and forever.

Interested to see where Andrea came out?

Here is her plan and my notes.  So when FOX or Vogue magazine comes calling, you can get ready fast.  Remember, this plan is not meant to be a long-term diet plan.

For ideas on how to incorporate this quick plan into your lifestyle and eating plan, schedule a Nutrition Breakthrough Session with me today at www.NutritionalStyle.com/Breakthrough

Breakfast:

– Yogurt with flax seed, oat bran, wheat bran, blueberries, and blackberries (Holli: I like this for protein and the added flax seed is a beneficial source of dietary fiber.  The healthy omega 3’s in flax are good for skin tone.  Adding berries is a source of antioxidants.  It’s a good overall choice. )
Or
– A whole grapefruit (Holli: Some people do really well with only fruit in the morning, so as long as Andrea’s energy was high, I am ok with a grapefruit and possibly more fruit as well.)
Or
– Banana and SlimFast (Holli: Stop the presses! This is a big “NO!” SlimFast is high in processed sugar, and contains a laundry list of other processed chemical ingredients and flavor.  This means that although you may be feeling full, you will likely rebound later and crave more sugar… Not to mention that processed sugar is inflammatory and who wants to have inflammatory foods when you have a camera on the horizon?  Thumbs down for what inflammation does to skin appearance. )

Late lunch/Early dinner (I think eating early is key): (Holli: I like the idea of 2 meals if it works for her.  I also like the idea of eating early to give your system a chance to digest and absorb nutrients before you go to bed.)

– Spinach with canned tuna, tomatoes, and kalamata olives (Holli:I love the spinach salad, it’s high in iron and absorbable nutrients. Tomatoes are a source of lycopene, and kalamata olives are a tasty way to get healthy oils- great for the skin. Canned tuna is a no-no if you are consuming it too often due to its high mercury content.  Mercury is a heavy metal that your body has difficulty eliminating; safe levels for women and children have been set at once every 2 weeks. I recommend once a month. Fresh tuna is best to avoid the BPA lining in cans.)

– I make my own salad dressing with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, Dijon mustard and some herbs  (Holli: this is great, use the best olive oil you can find.)

– Sometimes I add a boiled potato and a boiled egg – salad nicoise style (Holli: the egg is very good for protein. Think of the potato as a treat here and there while trying to lose fast.)

-Sometimes I have field greens rather than spinach, but spinach is so healthy and tastes great! (Holli: I always suggest variety in greens to get an array of nutrients.  Try arugula, and different types of lettuces. )
-Sometimes I substitute a grilled chicken breast for the tuna, and add avocado (Holli: Love this idea. Make the chicken organic to avoid added antibiotics and hormones.  Avocado is FABULOUS for the skin.)

-I don’t drink much alcohol. I’ve had the occasional wine with dinner, but I’m not a big drinker. (Holli: Good for you.  Alcohol in excess can dehydrate the skin and dull the skin tone. For a photo shoot like this one, I would recommend abstaining from all alcohol for 2 weeks prior.  You will see a “glow”; for women who do drink wine, a two-week break can make you look 10 years younger.)

I do drink a pot of coffee a day (sometimes 2 pots on a super busy day), (Holli: Coffee is dehydrating, much like alcohol, so any benefits there are lost with such a high coffee intake.  This will eventually show in the skin tone and face.) 
but have really decreased my intake of Diet Pepsi (my fave) (Holli: Thank goodness!  Diet sodas are “the devil”.  Artificial sweeteners are excitotoxins and cancer causing and studies have shown that they actually CAUSE weight gain by increasing your desire for sweets later.)
and have switched to drinking a ton of water. I cut up lemon and put it in my Brita pitcher , which I love. (Holli: Great!  Continue to add in more water. It’s hydrating and also has been shown to curb hunger.)

I think I’ll continue to eat this way, but allow myself the occasional treat from time to time. It’s so important to get antioxidants, vitamins, and protein through whole foods rather than just through vitamins! Honestly, I don’t feel deprived or anything. I feel great!  (Holli: So true! We want our nourishment to come from an assortment of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and organic sources of lean protein.  I absolutely believe in the occasional treat.  Try a dark organic chocolate bar for antioxidants and a super food boost!)