Flex Foods, Flex Beverages and Flex Meals will support any healthy lifestyle – one of the reasons why they’re called “flex.†These foods are a base to stay committed to clean eating and a helpful guide that will steer you and your whole family further away from processed foods.
A good way to understand the differences are to think of Flex Foods/Beverages as snacks and Lifestyle Meals as, well…meals!
FLEX FOODS/FLEX BEVERAGES are organic, super fruits and vegetables that provide you with flavorful taste, a chewing sensation, and the overall experience of eating. They transform stress eating from a negative to a positive by replacing comforting or familiar unhealthy food choices with organic super fruits and vegetables.
When doing a cleanse, Flex Foods and Flex Beverages are a saving grace. Although only 3 per day are allowed (not including cucumbers and celery that are unlimited), these real plant foods will bring an extra dose of joy during the routine 10 days. An avocado will fill you up, cucumbers will satisfy the need for a snack and kombucha can feel like a treat. You don’t have to be on a cleanse to incorporate these Flex Foods/Beverages into your everyday life. These foods and beverages are low in calories and have a low glycemic index, so anyone can benefit from turning to a Flex Food/Beverage for a snack or combine a few for a meal!
FLEX MEALS: Maintaining daily health requires real food. And, for athletes, the more you burn, the more your appetite demands. Instead of refueling your body with something processed, why not reward yourself with beneficial food? Flex Meals are sure to satisfy, without compromising your health. Healthy foods can be convenient, but prep is key and a little creativity can go a long way!
When on your Purium program, Lifestyle Meals are the meals you choose to compliment your shcedule. These are based on your ideal healthy lifestyle. They can be plant-based, high-protein or any dietary type that you prefer.
Flex Foods will naturally become your go-to snacks! You can even use organic tropic oil, fresh squeezed lemon, Himalayan sea salt, raw honey, or fresh herbs and spices, for extra flavor.
Ideal Flex Foods:
- 1 Avocado
- 1 Apple (Eating apples first thing in the morning can help wake you up.)
- 1 cup Watermelon
- Unlimited! Celery
- Unlimited! Cucumbers
- 1 cup Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale or Spinach
- 1 cup Berries
- 1 cup Sauerkraut or kimchi (no additives)
- 1 cup Summer squash (winter squash not permitted)
- 1/2 cup carrots
- Hemp, almond, coconut, cashew or oat milk -Unsweetened
- Kombucha
- Organic vegetable broth
- Decaffeinated herbal tea
- Coconut water
- Purium green drinks: Organic Kamut Blend, Organic
Green Spectrum, Organic Barley Green Juice, Organic
Spirulina, Chlorella
Flex Foods/Beverages and Lifestyle Meals are a way to control your intake, retrain your hunger cravings and fuel your body with optimal nutrients while following any of the Transformation schedule options.
Accelerated 30-Day Schedule Suggestions
Consume 3 servings of a Flex Food or Flex Beverage per day.
During the 10-Day Immersion, some people prefer eating a serving every time they take their Super Amino 23. Others prefer drinking a serving of non-dairy milk with their Power Shake.
If you decide to combine Flex Foods to have a more meal-like experience, keep the total serving to one cup. Example: sautée 1/2 cup squash with 1/2 cup of kale in garlic and coconut oil.
Keep in mind, the purpose of any plan is to create healthier habits, so listen to your body. If you feel like you need more nutrients, definitely indulge in an extra serving — it’s better than relapsing into a tub of ice cream!
You’ve got this!
FAQ’s For Accelerated Schedule Option
What foods are NOT permitted – if you want to be very strict? (Remember, this is for the accelerated schedule option).
Bananas
Oranges
Pineapple
Guava
Tomatoes
Grapes
Beans
Corn
Pumpkin
Peas
Winter squash
Bananas
Onions
Yams
Potatoes (white/red/sweet)
All Dairy
Meats of any kind
Coffee
Why aren’t bananas or starchy vegetables advised?
Bananas are not conducive to weight loss. Bananas can cause constipation for some people while on the cleanse. They can also turn into a carbohydrate and become sticky, which is not great for a cleanse. Though, bananas in the morning are pretty good when you’re not on a Cleanse. When they are ripe and in season, they can be good for you; however, when under ripe or outside of season they, are not as beneficial.
Can I have more than 1 Flex Food at a time during the 10-Day Immersion?
If you feel like you need more nutrients, definitely indulge in an extra serving.
You can even combine multiple Flex Foods together to create one dish. Depending on how much you use of each Flex Food, it may make up more than 1 serving. For instance, you can make a “salad†with 1/2 cup of spinach, 1/2 avocado and a chopped cucumber (with lemon or vinegar, salt, pepper, or herbs) – but this will be 2 Flex Food servings for one dish.
At the end of the day, the Flex Foods should be your best friends. While 3 servings are the baseline, this is YOUR cleanse and you are in control. \
Can I use balsamic vinaigrette or olive oil on my flex food?
While we encourage you to only stick to our Tropic Oil (ie., Coconut Oil), we also believe in modifications. If you do opt to go this route, use a very light amount of virgin, raw organic olive oil. Vinegar may also help you feel full and suppress appetite. ALSO – have you ever tried a little bit of Apothe-Cherry as dressing? If not, you are missing out on delicious nutrition!
Does the water in the Power Shake count towards my water needs that day?
No, every day, the schedule encourages you to drink half your body weight in ounces of just water. 20 oz of water per Powershake is the recommendation for the feeling optimal fullness. You may reduce water level in your Power Shake for taste preference
Lifestyle Meal Ideas
The Ultimate Lifestyle Transformation is more about saturating your body with superfoods. Lifestyle meals are just suggestions. For a program to become a lifestyle change, focus on what works for you and what pace you will follow to create lasting change. Many people continue to eat their standard diet in the beginning for their one meal per day, and as their taste buds change through the use of Purium, they naturally gravitate to healthier options that are on the flex foods list. Some people make more radical shifts during the Transformation and only eat the items in the above list, creating meals by choosing one serving of three listed items per meal, equivalent to 300 calories per meal. If maximizing weight loss is your goal, the stricter approach to flex meals is recommended.
FLEX MEAL RECIPES:
Baked Egg in Avocado
This is a great breakfast idea to get your day started with protein, good fats, and omega-3s!
Ingredients:
- Ripe organic avocado
- 2 cage-free eggs
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper and sea salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped organic chives
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Slice the avocados in half, and take out the pit. Scoop out enough of the center to fit eggs nicely.
- Place the avocados in a small baking dish. You can wrap the bottom in foil to avoid falling over.
- Carefully crack an egg into each avocado half.
- Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and season with pepper, salt, and chives. Enjoy!
Chimichurri Chicken with Quinoa
Filling and guaranteed to satisfy!
Vegan Mexican Meal in an Avocado
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup cooked organic black beans (drained)
- 1/2 cup shredded organic carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped organic cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup organic salsa
- 2 thinly diced organic green onions
- 1 ripe organic avocado, cut in half with pit removed
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine beans, carrots, cilantro, salsa, and green onion.
- Option to warm up bean mixture on stove top.
- Fill each avocado half with mixture.
- Enjoy!
One Skillet Salmon with Asparagus and Quinoa
One skillet meals make for easy cleaning and lots of flavor.
Sometimes you just need something sweet! Whether you’re in the middle of a Transformation or middle of a long week, we have something that is easy, refreshing, and sure to satisfy!
Berries & Mint:
Ingredients:
- Organic raspberries
- Organic blueberries
- Organic Strawberries
- Organic Blackberies
- Organic mint leaves
- Organic, local honey
Directions:
Mix all berries in a bowl. Add in chopped mint leaves then drizzle with honey. Enjoy!
Creamy Pineapple Smoothie:
Who doesn’t love a refreshing, cool, nutrient-dense AND filling smoothie?! With all organic ingredients, sweet and juicy pineapple and our clean, vegan protein MVP Sport Vanilla, you can have just that!
Recipe Inspired by Donna Balestrieri
Ingredients:
- 1-2 scoops Purium MVP Sport (Vanilla)
- 8 ounces organic 100% coconut water
- Handful organic frozen pineapples
Directions:
Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!
Spaghetti Squash:
Ahhh, pasta. It unites all kinds of eaters, cuisines and ages. It’s a go-to for picky eaters and spontaneous dinners for families and party hosts. However, even if it’s made with whole wheat or quinoa, it can be a little heavy and depending on your body, it may not digest easily.
Enter: the scrumptious, protein-filled, fiber-robust and low calorie/carb spaghetti squash.
Although the food prep can seem a little tedious, once you get in the routine of cooking with the full-bodied veggie, it won’t seem so daunting.
Since it has a mild taste, this squash serves as a satisfying base for all kinds of dishes and can easily become a kitchen staple.
Pre-heat oven and carefully slice the ends squash (as thin as possible), before you cut in half (lengthwise). Scoop out the seeds Put some coconut oil on the inside edges of the squash and face the halves down onto a baking sheet. Bake for 20-40 minutes (depending on the size of the squash) or until brownish.
Flex Food Favorite: Avocado
Avocados are one of the tastiest Flex Foods. And hey what do you know, they’re not just something for millennials to spread on toast! Not only are they tasty, but they are good for you too. In fact, on average, the savory fruit carries 20 different vitamins and minerals, with only 160 calories!
One avocado can also provide 9 grams of carbohydrates, but 7 of them are fiber, making this a low-carb food with 2 net carbs.
Plus, they are packed with monosaturated fatty acids. So, what does this mean for you?
Well, the main component of avocado’s fat is from oleic acid. This acid has been linked to positive heart benefits and been shown to regulate blood sugar levels. This means that heat-activated avocado oil could be a heart-healthy substitute for other cooking oils.
Avocados also hold antioxidant phytochemicals, which help protect against diseases like macular degeneration, which can lead to vision loss, and even cataracts. They have also been linked to cancer prevention and arthritis relief. Avocado is truly a SUPERfood.
What are you waiting for? Whip up one of these delicious recipes for your next party:
- Give your roasted veggies a kick with Avocado Dip
- Bring the life of the party with Avocado Hummus
- Cool down with some mint chocolate chip and avocado ice cream
For extra inspiration, join our Purium Recipe Group on Facebook.
