Introduction

Welcome to my blog, where I will be chronicling my experience with the Ideal Protein Diet. In each entry, I will provide a status along with some tips and recipes that I've used on the diet.

First to give you an overview of the Ideal Protein Diet. The Ideal Protein Diet was developed by the French doctor, Dr Tran Tien, Chanh for the French Olympic Team. His goal was to enable them to lose fat quickly without losing muscle or reducing their athletic performance. He realized that the body will burn through available carbohydrates and sugar before it starts burning through stored fat. So to lose weight, you should intake very few carbohydrates and sugar, enabling the body to get to the fat more readily. But since the body also burns protein along with fat, you must ensure that you replenish any protein that you lose while losing fat. The Ideal Protein Diet ensures that you get a sufficient amount of protein (not high protein) along with sufficient quantities of carbohydrates and fat. You mainly consume protein packages, supplied by the company, along with salad and vegetables. Also, one meal a day is self prepared, with lean protein and vegetables of your choice.

This diet has only been available in the US since February 2008, but has been available in Canada for several years, and in Europe for many years. Distribution of the products are through local physicians and clinics, although a mail order option is available for those without a distributor nearby.

For more information on the specifics of the Ideal Protein Diet you can check it out at www.idealprotein.com . I started this diet on February 25th, and to date have lost 14 pounds (in about two and a half weeks). Thus far the diet has lived up to its promise of losing weight quickly while maintaining muscle mass. I have been on many diets in my life including weight watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutri System, and many diets of the day. All of them resulted in success in the short run, but were difficult to maintain. After only two and a half weeks on this diet, I cannot yet attest to my ability to stick it out for the long haul, but there are some promising signs. Since this is a low carb diet, the blood sugar levels remain fairly stable. I have not had cravings or felt weak, nor have I had hunger pains since I've been on the diet, although the quantity of food is greatly reduced.

So now for my first recipe. In order to stay on a diet for the long term, you should ensure that you don't get bored with your diet and incorporate many of the tastes that you enjoy. I will share some of the recipes that I've used on the diet. These are recipes that you can use for any diet, since they are low in calories, fat, and carbohydrates. My first recipe is a New Orleans staple, Shrimp and Okra Gumbo. An okra based gumbo is basically low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates, since it is generally made without a roux. The okra provides the thickening of the soup. All of the ingredients used in this gumbo are allowed on the Ideal Protein Diet. So now for the recipe:

Shrimp and Okra Gumbo
(Two Servings)

1 quart of vegetable broth, plus one cup of water
1 pound of shrimp, peeled (save the shells)
6 large Sea Scallops (instead of scallops, you can use a firm white fish, or can add 1/2 lb of shrimp)
Gumbo crabs (optional)
2 cups chopped okra (fresh or frozen)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1/2 cup of chopped celery
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
handful of parsley, chopped
1/2 can of whole tomatoes (find a brand that has little to no sugar content)
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp each onion powder, garlic powder
1 tsp crushed dried basil leaves
½ tsp crushed dried oregano leaves
½ tsp crushed dried thyme leaves
½ tsp crushed dried parsley leaves
Gumbo File (optional)
Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)

In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable stock and water, add the shrimp shells and gumbo crabs (if used). Bring to a boil, lower the fire and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain out the shells and crabs. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan and add the okra, saute on a low fire for 30 minutes, stirring to ensure it doesn't burn. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic and tomato. Thoroughly mix and continue to saute until the vegetables are soft. Add the vegetable mixture to the broth, along with the remaining seasonings and return to a boil, reduce the fire and simmer for 15 minutes.

Season the shrimp and scallops with salt, pepper, and dried basil, cook in a pan just until the shrimp turn pink. Add the shrimp and scallops to the broth and allow it to simmer for 15 more minutes. You may now turn off the fire.

This is good for two meals. Ladle half into a bowl, top with a pinch of Gumbo File (ground sassafras) and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Enjoy!!