GUIDELINES FOR MEAL PLAN

Abstinence is a Commitment to Recovery 

 

Definition of Abstinence

 

We ask for help from our Higher Power to abstain from those substances we find ourselves craving, ever mindful of our addiction to sugar, flour and wheat. Feeding our bodies with a plan of sound nutrition will allow us freedom from the insanity of this disease. With honesty, an open mind, and willingness to share our experience, strength and hope, we can recover from this disease-ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Of course, to the new recovering person, this appear as another diet. But we who walk this path of recovery know that this program of eating is unique.

One of the obstacles you may encounter in early recovery is the temptation to alter the food plan to suit yourself. It is our experience that deviations recreate our old food problems. To guard yourself against the tendency to rationalize, it is suggest that you discuss any additions or subtractions you may think are necessary with a sponsor or someone in the program who is abstinent.

1. Weigh or measure all food as specified. Volume can trigger the disease. Eating larger of smaller quantities of food than recommended on the food plan can cause the physical craving to reappear and can lead us back into the disease of food addiction. Eating added volume or restricting is often the beginning of the relapse process. Invest in measuring cups, measuring spoons, and a good scale. Since this is NOT a diet, wide variety and attractive presentation of your meals will help you stay abstinent. Make it interesting!

 

2. Look for hidden or additional names of sugar, flour and wheat in the "Ingredient" section for the label on all packaged or canned foods, drinks marinades, dressings, and spices, including salt. Do not confuse this with the "Nutrition Facts" section, which may list naturally occurring sugar. For example, the label on a can of tomato paste may list tomatoes as the only ingredient and yet under the "Nutrition Facts" section it may list 3 grams of sugar. The 3 grams of sugar naturally occur in the tomatoes. Check all labels regularly as manufacturers often alter ingredients. 

 

3. Low calorie, lite, light, sugarless or sugar-free on a product label does not imply that the manufacturer has not added sugar in one of its many other forms. It is absolutely necessary to read all labels.

 

4. Fresh is best. If fresh fruit is not available, use frozen fruit or canned fruit packed in water or in its own juice. If juice is used, include it as part of the measurement.

 

5. Never use cornstarch or other thickeners.

 

6. This meal plan may help alleviate elevated triglycerides and elevated cholesterol levels caused by excessive carbohydrates and fats. For those with elevated cholesterol levels, limit eggs and red meats to three times a week.

 

7. Red meat should be limited to three to five times per week. Other sources of protein include tofu, tempeh, beans, chicken, fish, low-fat ricotta and low-fat cottage cheese.

 

8. If constipation is a problem, eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day added to your meal plan will help. Exercise, even walking, will also help. Two teaspoons of ground flaxseed on your cereal is also useful.

 

9. Tomato juice or vegetable cocktail juice without sugar may be used as a cooked vegetable substitute. 1 cup juice =1 cup cooked vegetables.

 

10. Caffeine is an addictive stimulant and should be avoided. Suggested drinks are decaffeinated coffee, decaffeinated tea, herbal tea, carbonated water, and water.

 

11. Two or more proteins may be combined to equal one protein serving. For example, two ounces of cooked ground meat and one-half cup of pinto beans equals four ounces of protein.

 

12. For abstainers with high blood pressure who are prescribed a low sodium diet, fresh is best, frozen is the next best. Always read the label for sodium content as well as sugar. "Instant" anything has higher sodium content.

 

13. You may use part of you milk allowance as a coffee lightener. One percent or skim milk may be used in this plan. 

 

PRIOR PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE

 

IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, THEN YOU HAVE PLANNED TO FAIL.

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING ABSTINENCE

 

1. Following the FAA food plan as written will allow you to become well physically, mentally, and spiritually. The FAA food plan balances proteins and carbohydrates to support steady, stable blood sugar levels and a steady metabolism - essential to prevent triggering cravings and binges. The recommended time between meals further supports this. DO NOT SKIP MEALS! This schedule works best:

Breakfast + 4 hours = Lunch + 5 Hours = Dinner + 4 hours = Metabolic Adjustment

2. Active participation in the fellowship through service is one of the best ways to help keep your commitment to recovery.

3. Have your doctor review this program of eating and follow his/her suggestions.

4. Your food should be written down. By writing your menu for a week, shopping is easier. Planning helps eliminate chaos and last minute choices made when hungry. Going over your meal plan with your sponsor daily will help you feel comfortable at planning nutritious and interesting meals and will affirm your commitment to remain abstinent. A daily log of everything you eat is an additional reinforcement.

5. DO NOT WEIGH YOURSELF more than once a month. If you are over or under your ideal weight, you may expect to lose or gain weight on this plan safely and appropriately.

6. If something listed on this food program is or becomes a problem for you, eliminate it.

7. SIT DOWN FOR MEALS AND EAT SLOWLY.

8. Include fish or poultry in your food plan daily if possible.

9. We suggest one vegetarian day per week. Try soy protein (tofu or tempeh). Check meat substitutes for wheat.

10. Beware of products advertised as low-calorie, low-fat, or fat-free. They frequently contain sugar or flour in some form.

11. When eating in a restaurant, ask questions. It's OK to ask for what you need!

12. We suggest taking a multi-vitamin daily. Check vitamins for sugar, flour, and wheat. Ask the doctor or pharmacist to recommend medications that are free of sugar, alcohol, flour, and wheat whenever possible.

13. Do not repeat the use of any starchy vegetable or grain more than THREE times per week. We can become sensitive with overuse.

14. The food plan is a way of eating that is free of sugar, wheat, and flour. The food plan eliminates the basic components of our binge foods: sugar, flour, wheat and inordinate amounts of fat (sticky, greasy, pasty foods). This is not a reducing diet because it is not severely restricted in terms of basic food groups. However, it does reduce fat intake to an appropriate level.