When you start the HMR diet, you may find that, instead of eating less, you're actually eating more food than you did before. And while the food you're eating is low in calories, it's high in volume—HMR Shakes and Entrees, and lots of fruits and vegetables—making it an eating plan designed to help you feel full and satisfied. So it's not unusual to find it challenging to eat all the foods on the plan, especially when you're starting out.

But it's important to figure out ways that work for you to fit everything in because the daily minimums ensure that you're getting 100% of your daily nutrition needs. It also provides you with a clear structure to follow each day, and helps to keep you full and satisfied, and less likely to give in to other tempting foods outside of the weight-loss program.

When you compromise the structure of the diet by skipping a shake, entree, or fruit/vegetable, over time it gets easier and easier to eat less than the minimums. Before you know it, the structure of the plan—which keeps you on track and drives the weight loss—is gone. And if you're eating less than the minimums, you're putting yourself at risk to get hungry and fill those gaps with high-calorie foods that can slow down your weight loss and eventually lead to weight gain.

With some problem-solving know-how, you'll be able to eat the daily minimums of the plan and have this diet work with your eating style. Try these strategies to see what works best for you...

1. Start early in the day and plan to eat every 2-3 hours

It may help if you take some time the night before or morning of to prep your foods for the day so they're ready to go, and you can bring something with you wherever you go.

2. Combine two HMR Foods together

Try making a double shake (blend 2 shakes, plus extra water and ice, and sip on it over time), or a double 70 Plus Shake made as a pudding. 

3. Take advantage of lower volume strategies

• Make a hot shake (with coffee or tea, or as a cocoa). The Salted Caramel Mocha shake recipe is one of our favorites.
• You could also try adding a 1/2 cup of beans/legumes to an entree or baked potato—this counts as a full serving of veggies.
• Combine 2 entrees together—Chili Mac is one of our favorites and is made by combining HMR Chicken Pasta Parmesan Entree and HMR Turkey Chili with Beans Entree together in a bowl and microwaving for a minute. It's delicious, and if it's too much to finish, you can save the rest for when you're hungry again.
• Eat veggies that have more water and less starch like spinach, peppers, summer squash/zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans.
• Make a 70 Plus Pudding for a low volume dessert/snack.

Although the diet can feel like a lot of food and a lot of volume, there are ways to make it easier to fit everything in and ensure that you're getting in all the nutrition that your body needs. This will also help you maintain the structure of the diet and reach your goal quicker. 

For more inspiration, support, and ideas, consider joining a coaching group—it's free with any Phase 1 or Phase 2 subscription! You can ask any questions, get candid answers, and real advice from other members and your HMR Health Coach.