Anytime you plan on changing your dietary habits, you have to spend time researching what to eat and buy for the new diet. You should have a list to which to refer to before you go out to shop. Given that your body is constantly being bombarded by toxins and pollutants that wear down your digestive system, it is important that you go for a healthy dietary plan. And one of these healthy diets is the military diet.

It remains a popular weight loss program used by numerous people today because it requires that you eat specific foods in certain amounts. Studies point out that people who follow this diet perfectly lose up to 10 pounds a week. Like any celebrated diet plan, a military diet has a list of items. As you will find out, many of these items are not just affordable but also are available anytime at your favorite grocery store.

The Military Diet Shopping List

The military diet shopping list include the following:

• Coffee/Tea
• Vanilla ice cream
• Cans of tuna
• Grapefruits
• Hot dogs
• Cheddar cheese
• Bananas
• Lean meat (your choice)
• Cottage cheese
• Apples
• Frozen fresh, or canned green beans
• Saltine crackers
• Whole wheat bread
• Fresh broccoli
• Eggs
• Carrots
• Peanut butter (your choice of crunchy/smooth)

As you go through this shopping list, you may think at first that many of the items on it do not seem like regular diet foods. In fact, you may be probably wondering how someone can eat ice cream and still lose around 10 pounds per week, or amazed by the absence of sugar-free and fat-free foods that “cannot miss out” in any healthy diet plan. The fact that some of the foods on this list arguably can cause weight gain if indulged in quite often or eaten in large portions only makes things more difficult.

The good news is, military diet only requires these foods in small amounts, and this makes them perfect for the program. In small portions, these foods will keep you well-nourished as well as give you just enough calories to make sure that you are energized throughout the 3 days of dieting each week.

Moreover, all the foods on this list are put together in a few different combinations to allow for fast weight loss in an effective and safe manner. The pairings on the menu grants you the opportunity to not only take meals that are chemically balanced but also meals that are nutritionally agreeable with each other, to ensure that you are not left feeling hungry or deprived of nutrients. Do not buy the calorie-free, sugar-free, and fat-free versions of some of these foods, particularly the ice cream and cottage cheese, because skimping on any of these items could undermine the outcome of your weight loss.

Food Replacements on the Military Diet Shopping List

Unfortunately, this shopping list may not be for everyone. For instance, people who are vegetarian may find it challenging to go on the diet because of the meat and eggs it requires. Moreover, people who are allergic to lactose intolerant or dairy products may have the feeling that they cannot use this weight loss plan. Even people who are on medication for heart disease, bacterial infections, and other conditions may wonder if they should avoid this program because of the effect a grapefruit can have on their medicines.

Fortunately, the military diet can be altered to some extent to allow almost anyone to shed off unwanted pounds. You can adjust your shopping list by considering these suitable menu substitutes:

• Grapefruits: Instead of grapefruits, buy Mandarin oranges because they have the same chemical structure as grapefruits.
• Vanilla ice cream: Can be substituted by frozen/fruit yogurt or apple sauce
• Meat: Instead of meat, try beans, Portobello mushrooms or tofu
• Whole wheat bread: You can buy whole grain cereal, rice cakes or tortillas to replace whole wheat bread.
• Apples: plums, pears, zucchini, grapes, peaches, apricots, or nectarines can take the place of apples.
• Peanut Butter: Can be replaced by any nut butter or humus
• Green Beans: You can use green vegetables, including tomatoes instead of green beans
• Tuna: Almonds, cottage cheese, pumpkin seeds, tofu or chicken can take the place of tuna
• Bananas: Consider grapes, kiwi or apricots instead of bananas
• Tea or Coffee: Replace tea or coffee with sugar-free hot cocoa mix or green tea

The Bottom Line

Proper following of this diet will be of great help to you. Only follow items listed on this shopping list or alternatives of those items. Things such as condiments, honey, sugar, or anything, which is not specifically listed on the regular diet menu list or any of the substitutions, should be avoided completely. Nevertheless, you are allowed to buy Stevia to sweeten your coffee. Other than Stevia, nothing is allowed on this military diet shopping list.