Sunday, May 23, 2010

Forbidden vs. Unlimited Foods?

This weekend, I got to thinking how easy we have it in the 21st century version of Weight Watchers.

Since there are no forbidden foods in the modern day version of WW, you can have a totally bat-crap crazy, balls-out binge-fest, and still be considered "on-program". Well, technically, that is... If you track what you eat, and get right back on the wagon. It's totally AWESOME.

But there are so many forbidden foods on the 1972 Retro WW Plan, it can be almost overwhelming at times. In fact, last week, I realized I went through an entire day and did not eat a single "legal" food. (Oh yeah--you fall off the wagon a lot on the Retro WW Plan, did I not mention that yet?) It's a good thing I still keep my points tracker handy for the days I need to slip into "Emergency 2010 WW Mode".

However, on the Retro WW Plan, we are lucky enough to have a list of foods that are permitted in unlimited amounts. You are allowed to eat these foods as desired and with reckless abandon. Yeehaw!

Brace yourselves! For your pleasure, here is the 1972 "unlimited" list as it appears in toto:
Capers
Clam Juice
Celery
Club Soda
Chicory
Coffee & Tea
Chives
Herbs & Spices
Escarole
Dehydrated Vegetable Flakes
Gherkins
Horseradish
Lettuce
Mustard
Parsley
Lemon & Lime Juice
Pimentos
Pepper Sauce
Radishes
Vinegar
Truffles
Worcestershire
Soy Sauce
Seaweed
Watercress
Water
Doesn't this list make you want to jump for joy? Are you salivating uncontrollably after reading it?

Sometimes, I like to study this list and try to come up with the most outrageous meals ever created, and then imagine myself eating them in mass quantities. I mean, they are unlimited, right? Could I eat 14 pounds of gherkins and radishes? Hmmmm... Maybe.

With each passing day of my Retro WW "experiment", I gain more respect for those amazing women who actually followed this plan back in the 70's, and I thank my lucky stars for the points system! But for now---I must return to my gigantic seaweed and pimento salad.

5 comments:

Ellen said...

The list makes we want to jump, alright! But not for joy. And I remember following that diet, way back when. No wonder I didn't succeed! I'm with you, Mimi, thank goodness for today's Weight Watchers and the point system!

~Tessa~Scoffs said...

I often thank God for mustard.

pika23 said...

Fun Fact: You can eat a KFC Double Down, and still be on plan...2010 momentum plan that is. Double Down is like 9 points. Seriously!

Tried it once and got ill, but it is not bad points.

Helen said...

I think you should put some capers in clam juice and top it with some club soda for a refreshing post exercise drink.

Jana said...

To my pantry! I will bolt down a bottle of pimentos forthwith.