The cover of The Chocolate Diet promised that the reader could eat chocolate and lose seven pounds in two weeks. Voak’s book contains quizzes to determine if a person is addicted to chocolate and which of six diets to follow. Each weight loss plan includes selections that match calorie counts for meals, strategies for a person to follow, and recommendations for exercise and other activities. The book also includes recipes and a calorie guide for the chocolate candies that fit the diet plan. British and American brands of chocolate are listed.
Each of the diets begins with a week of abstinence from chocolate. During this time, Voak wrote, people begin to control their cravings for chocolate. All weight loss plans include unlimited amounts of vegetables from a list of 28 low-calorie selections. Free vegetables include asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, red and green bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, and watercress. All six diets include items from all food groups. The diets were designed for women; men consume 300 more calories each day.
Voak diet plans are for:
* Secret Binger, people who hide chocolate and don’t want others to know they eat it. The plan consists of a 250-calorie breakfast, two 350-calorie light meals, a 400-calorie main meal, and a 100-calorie treat. In the second and subsequent weeks, there is a 150-calorie daily serving of chocolate. Dieters can also have a 200-calorie dessert or drink, with select options from recipes in the book
* Romantics are often single and use chocolate as a substitute for love. His menu plan is a 250-calorie breakfast, a 350-calorie light meal, a 400-calorie main meal, and a 100-calorie treat. After the second week, they can spend 300 calories on a chocolate treat three times a week.
* Comfort eaters consume chocolate when they are tired or facing a problem. His plan consists of a 250-calorie breakfast, a 350-calorie light meal, a 400-calorie main meal, and two 50-calorie treats. In the second week, there is a 200-calorie daily serving of chocolate. In the following weeks, the ration is 50 calories.
* Weekend diners associate chocolate with celebrations. His daily caloric intake is 1,350 during the week and 1,600 on weekends. The menu plan is a 250-calorie breakfast, a 350-calorie light meal, a 400-calorie main meal, and two 100-calorie treats. After the second week, 300 calories in chocolate are allowed each day of the weekend.
* Sugar addicts often get most of their calories from carbohydrates and may use chocolate as a fix when they’re tired. His plan consists of a 250-calorie breakfast, two 250-calorie light meals, a 400-calorie main meal, and a 100-calorie treat. In the second and subsequent weeks, there is a 200-calorie daily serving of chocolate.
* Premenstrual cravings overindulge in chocolate on certain days of the month. Her plan is followed as needed one to two weeks before or during the menstrual period. The diet consists of five 250-calorie meals and one 100-calorie treat. In the second week, and in the following weeks, the daily serving of chocolate is 100 calories.
