Kitchen Preparation

Getting off the grain ride is a lot cheaper than buying into a commercial weight loss plan because you don't have to pay for anything other than the food you will be eating. There are no monthly or weekly fees.

But you need to be organized. Here are a couple of things that will help:

1. Ideally, get your family to join you. If several people in the same household get off the grain ride together, you'll be able to support each other.
2. If they won't join you, ask them to support you.
3. Take a look at what is in your cupboards, refrigerator and freezer. Eliminate the temptations that are not allowed: crackers, pasta, rice, frozen meals, jams, cereals, sugar, syrup, etc. Look at the labels: anything with more than 5 ingredients in it is most likely not allowed.  Check for added sugar, high fructose corn syrup or other sugar products.  If you can't throw them out or donate them to somebody who wants them, you could lock them up somewhere so you can resist them when temptation comes calling.
4. Stock up on foods that you can eat: almonds, mixed nuts (unsalted, no peanuts), carrots, celery, plain low-fat yoghurt, frozen berries, herbal teas, unsweetened almond milk, feta cheese, lettuce, and quality protein sources such as eggs, fish, tofu and/or meat (stay away from bacon, luncheon meats or sausages).  As a rule of thumb, it's easiest if you go down to the most basic of ingredients and prepare everything from scratch. 

The Bulk Barn is a good source for nuts. Having a vegetable garden in the growing season is helpful for making quick salads, but in the winter you will have to use different strategies.