Sally Ann Voak’s Chocolate Diets

The cover of The Chocolate Diet promised that the reader could eat chocolate and lose seven pounds in two weeks. Voak’s book contains questionnaires to determine if a person is addicted to chocolate and which of the six diets they should follow. Each weight loss plan includes selections that fit the calorie count for meals, strategies a person should follow, and recommendations for exercise and other activities. The book also includes recipes and a calorie guide for 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 get their chocolate cravings under control. 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 elements from all the 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 the chocolate and do not want others to know that 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 week and in the following weeks, there is a daily ration of chocolate of 150 calories. Dieters can also have a 200-calorie dessert or drink, with select recipe options in the book

* Romantics are usually 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 daily ration of chocolate of 200 calories. In the following weeks, the ration is 50 calories.

* Weekend eaters 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 solution when they are 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 week and in the following weeks, there is a daily ration of chocolate of 200 calories.

* Premenstrual cravings are excessive in chocolate during some days of the month. Your plan is followed as needed one to two weeks before or during your menstrual period. The diet consists of five 250-calorie meals and a 100-calorie treat. In the second week, and in the following weeks, the daily allowance of chocolate is 100 calories.