I used to eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast, but then it got a little too heavy for me to consume so frequently, so I'd switch to smaller portions but nonetheless loving it for what it was, and how its taste could be manipulated. You can experiment a lot with oatmeal to make it less bland, and more delicious. Its flavor is both nutty and bran-like with a more toasty-like taste to it. It goes great with milk and fruit, to give it a little something extra on the flavor front, with a lot of health benefits intact, all of which should have you reaching out for that oatmeal packet when you hit the grocery store next. The idea of the oatmeal diet is to provide the body a good dose of fiber, starting out on only this as your source of food for the first week on the diet. It may sound a tad unbelievable, but yes the diet runs along the lines of just that. The oatmeal diet has its share of good reviews, although subjecting the body to only one kind of nutrient can slowly alter its functioning. It is important to give the body its required nutrient amounts and not just a certain part of these. Although the diet does put the body through a strict oatmeal-only regime for the initial week, it is switched to oatmeal plus regular meals from week two. What is the Oatmeal Diet and How Do I Begin? The oatmeal diet as you now know, is a planned regime for using oatmeal as your primary source of food. It works well for those who have bowel problems, overweight issues or coronary troubles, since this vital dietary fiber is essential. So here's how you can get started on the oatmeal diet. Week One on the Diet To begin with the diet, you need to use only oatmeal that is whole and not instant/processed. You want it to be as fresh, fat / preservative free as possible. For the first seven days, oatmeal is your only source for food, with ½ a cup of this blended with skimmed/low-fat milk where fruits can be added of your choice like blueberries, strawberries or even orange segments. Granola bars or anything that may be snack oriented using oatmeal as its base, is a strict no-no during this week. The ideal amount of oatmeal per day has to equal calories amounting to 900-1200 only. Onward to Week Two When week two shifts in, start eating three proper meals a day, using ½ a cup of oatmeal with milk / fruit once in that time frame. You can shift to instant oatmeal if you'd like, although I'd recommend fresh oatmeal. Sugar and fat are a problem with instant oatmeal, so stick to whole oatmeal to benefit better. Now your calorie intake is stable at 1000-1300 calories per day taking into account both oatmeal inclusion and your 3 meals a day. Foods allowed during the course of this diet are.

• Red peppers
• Chicken breast
• Grapes
• Black coffee
• Celery
• Berries
• Fish
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Watermelon
• Olives
• Tomatoes
• Low fat cheese
• Whole wheat crackers
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Oranges

Plan During Week 2-3 You can use healthy snacks like nuts and seeds between your meals to keep your metabolism running. Fruits too or a nice mini salad will do in small portions. Keep a gap of two hours between meals and snack time. Avoid starchy foods during the diet plan like white rice, potatoes, pasta and so on. Exercise Incorporation During Week 2-4 You don't have to do any tedious workout routines that will have you drained before you head to work to notice any oatmeal diet results. Just use 30 minutes before you start your day, by brisk walking on a treadmill, open ground or even around your neighborhood. Some physical activity is important during the day, for at least five days in a week. Use the stairs and ditch the elevator to give your body some added bursts of energy now and then. Drink lots of water too while on the diet; at least eight glasses. Week 4 Before the Diet End The oatmeal diet lasts only for a month, where you can then eat oatmeal every alternate day in ½ cup servings coupled with milk/fruit. The diet shouldn't cease to follow a low-calorie plan of lean meats and fresh veggies/fruit to keep your body sustained weight/health wise, where it can slowly melt away the pounds gradually. The oatmeal diet is a great way of introducing more fiber into one's diet, especially if it has been inadequate previously. It is important to include fiber rich foods in small but helpful amounts, since the body relies on some source of this to function in a certain manner that will aid you in the long haul. Have a healthy tomorrow.