A Day in the Life of the TLC Diet

Starting a new diet can be scary – you instantly crave all the things you very recently had access to. You feel like you’re depriving yourself. Everything turns into ‘I can’t have that’, rather than politely declining it because you don’t want it. Everyone has been there. Everyone has woken up on the dreaded Monday, where they swore no more cupcakes and more lettuce, and instantly regretted their decisions. 

Dieting doesn’t have to be miserable. 

A typical day on the TLC diet will be different, potentially, to what your days used to be like but they don’t have to be bad. 

Mornings 

Mornings are a great time to revitalize yourself. You don’t need to go on a thirty-minute jog but absolutely get in a quick routine. A five-minute warm-up followed by a few bodyweight exercises to tone, and then cool down and off you go with your morning. 

With TLC, breakfast doesn’t need to be complicated. A bowl of cereal with fat-free, or low fat, milk is fine. It provides complex carbohydrates, and tend to be low in fat. You’re also definitely still allowed your coffee – just go light on sugar, or without it entirely if you can. 

Afternoons 

Diets and limp lettuce tend to be conjoined, but they absolutely don’t have to be. Lunch can be anything from a tuna salad sandwich (with dressing!) or a low sodium vegetable soup. You can experiment with your own recipes and throw together something you won’t dread eating a few times a week. 

If you work at a desk, try and get out for a walk – even if it’s just around your office building, get your legs moving and try and get in a little exercise. Diet and activity go hand in hand in ensuring a healthier lifestyle. 

Evening 

The – for many – main meal of the day is important. For a lot of people, it’s something to look forward to once you get home. Something like grilled skinless chicken breasts, with roasted vegetables, stays in line with the diet, tastes good and gives you many needed nutrients. If you’re worried about bland taste, drizzle with olive oil, and rub herbs into the chicken, or even coat the vegetables. 

 Snacks 

Most diets prohibit snacking, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a treat every now and then. Try and keep it healthier – don’t reach for the potato chips – but indulge your taste buds a little. Greek yogurt with a small portion of berries is a good, sweet example. It tastes good, it’s filling and you’ll be doing your body a favor. 

There are many great ways to stick to a TLC diet plan without worrying about what you’re no longer allowed. For many foods, moderation is key. Meat is acceptable, just limit your intake of it, reduce your dairy and sugars, and you’ll start giving your body the tools to repair the damage and bring down your cholesterol without having to depend on tablets and pills from your doctor.