24 Day Challenge FOOD

The best way I have had food explained to me when changing my lifestyle was by thinking of food in three categories. 

Red light - never eat

Yellow light - on occasion eat

Green light - every day eat

So these foods and drinks are considered to be RED LIGHTS during your 24 Day Challenge! Do not eat these foods - they are bad for your health, and your body will thank you if you can avoid the following:

1. Soda - including diet

2. Alcohol

3. Creamy sauces

4. High calorie salad dressings

5. Sugar

6. Fried food

7. Processed food

8. White flour

9. Partially hydrogenated oils

10. Chips

***It is SO important to read the labels of your food! When it says here to avoid SUGAR, we think that just means treats, but sugar is in so many of our favorite "healthy" foods! Focus on eating clean and fresh, stay away from food in packages!***

The YELLOW LIGHT foods are only to be consumed in moderation, you can have very little of these through the 24 Day Challenge:

1. Avacado

2. Nut butter

3. Nuts or seeds

4. Oils - canola, sunflower, olive

5. Yogurt

6. Cheese

7. Milk

8. Creamer

***I use coconut milk in substitution for cows milk - I personally have grown to love it! Just use these 24 days to experiment with new ingredients - you might surprise yourself! I also have an obsession with almond butter, raw cashews and avocados. If I am trying to lose weight then I would limit my intake of these healthy fats, but on a normal basis, fruit with almond butter and raw cashews are my go to snacks! Just don't go overboard!***

The GREEN LIGHT foods are what you can eat every day during your challenge. 

1. Chicken breast

2. Eggs

3. Game - bison, elk, buffalo, etc

4. Ground beef or turkey - lean

5. Lean fish - tilapia, red snapper, cod

6. Salmon

7. Tofu

8. Tuna

9. Turkey Breast - from the deli only. Pre-packaged deli meats have nitrates and carrageenan in them

***Protein should be eaten 3 times a day throughout your challenge! Each serving should be 4-6 ounces and not cooked with oils or butter!***

10. Asparagus

11. Broccoli

12. Brussels Sprouts

13. Cauliflower

14. Celery

15. Cucumber

16. Dark leafy greens - spinach, kale, swiss chard, collard, etc

17. Eggplant

18. Green beans

19. Onion

20. Peppers

21. Salad greens - romaine, spring mix, etc

22. Tomato

23. Zuchini/squash

***Veggies should be eaten three times a day***

24. Beans

25. Lentils

26. Oatmeal

27. Quinoa

28. Sweet Potatoes

29. Whole grains

***When trying to lose weight, try and skip the complex carb at dinner, you'll notice that on the checklist for the 24 Day Challenge, it says to eat the complex carb if needed. That means that if you worked out and are starving, go ahead and have your complex carb, but you will get better results without this. Fill your plate with greens and protein instead!***

30. Apple

31. Banana

32. Berries

33. Cantaloupe

34. Citrus fruits

35. Grapes

36. Kiwi 

37. Mango

38. Melon

39. Pear

40. Pineapple

41. Edamame

42. Hummus

43. Advobars

44. AdvoCare Meal Replacement Drinks

***Snack on pomegranate seeds instead of popcorn, have edamame instead of chips, be creative and use snack time as a way to get in more fruits and veggies***