30-Day Skinny Plate Challenge

Break up with your bad eating habits and try this challenge!

You are invited to take the Skinny Plate Challenge for the next 30 days and become a member of the Skinny Plate Club. If you are ready to slim down, get healthier and change your eating habits for good, this challenge is for you. This is one of the first steps toward living a healthier lifestyle and shedding some of those unwanted pounds.

Clean eating is a terrific approach to increasing your intake of foods that are beneficial for you, such as whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, while minimizing items that are bad for you in big amounts, such as refined carbs, alcohol, added sugars, and hydrogenated fats. Not only that, but there are a variety of non-dieting techniques to lose weight, such as chewing slowly, eating at home, and eating more fiber and protein, which may help you lose weight without exercising or following a specific diet plan.

Keep in mind this challenge is not a ‘diet’ but a step in the right direction toward making healthier food choices and eating smaller portions…about the size of your palm, fist or a deck of cards. We encourage eating healthy and doing so as a lifestyle choice.

IMPORTANT:  To fully understand how this challenge works, it’s important that you read the entire post.

Here are the guidelines:

Skinny Plates = Salad Plate Size (about 7″)– Whether you are at home, work, picnic or in a restaurant… all meals must be served on a plate the size of a salad plate.

Portion Sizes – The portions of your foods must be no larger than the palm of your hand. That means ‘normal’ restaurant portions have to be cut down in size to fit on your skinny plate.

Number of Portions – All Skinny Plate meals are limited to no more than three portions. For example, if you are having chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas and rolls…BEEP!!! Only three of these foods are allowed and must fit comfortably on your Skinny Plate.

Foods to Eat – It’s about taking baby steps and this is one of those steps that will help get you into the habit of eating smaller portions and less food with every meal. This challenge encourages eating whole foods, unrefined sweeteners, lean proteins and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. However, the guidelines for this challenge do not require eating particular types of food. The choice of what foods to place on your Skinny Plate is yours.

Number of Skinny Plates per day – Eat the same number of meals as you normally would. This challenge is about portion control.

Here are some Q & A’s about this challenge:

skinny plate

Q: What about desserts?
A: Desserts count as one of the three foods and must also be no larger than the palm of your hand.

Q: Does my drink count as one of the three foods?
A: No, your drink isn’t included in the three foods. If you’re having anything other than water or unsweetened tea, limit the amount to a 12 ounce serving or small size. We do encourage you to drink more water and fewer sodas, fruit drinks containing sugar, shakes, and artificially sweetened water.

Q: What about soup?
A: Soup does count as one of your three foods…so choose wisely.

Q: Can I have a salad that fills the plate and count that as all three foods?
A: Yes, as long as it isn’t weighed down with a cream dressing. We recommend EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil) & vinegar (red, white, apple cider, balsamic, white balsamic, etc..) or freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Q: Can I have three of the same food items for my Skinny Plate?
A: Yes, but it’s not recommended. Skinny Ms. recommends a balanced plate with a lean protein, complex carbohydrate, and a healthy fat. Examples of complex carbs are fresh fruits & vegetables, whole grains, dry beans/legumes, low-fat dairy, and raw nuts and seeds. Examples of healthy fats include olive oil, unrefined coconut oil, avocado, salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, trout, and sardines. Raw nuts and seeds also fit into this category. Lean proteins are of course meats, fish, eggs, and low-fat dairy. As you may have noticed some foods fit into more than one category. This list consists of examples and is not complete.

Q: I love good old-fashioned hamburgers…is that considered one item or are the bun and condiments separate items?
A: A hamburger will be considered one item with the normal bun and condiments. However, think slider, White Castle or a burger that will be no larger than the palm of your hand. Easy?

Q: Can I have snacks and if so what about the portion size?
A: Two snacks a day are permitted. Snacks consist of items like raw nuts, raisins, one piece of fruit, etc.. Here’s some great suggestions.

Q: How can I become a member of the Skinny Plate Club, and is it free?
A: Yes, it is free. You become a member after successfully completing the 30 day challenge. This simply means, after the 30 days has ended,  you take a pledge to continue to eat smaller portions, as defined above. It’s an honorary membership!

Check out Ten Tips on How to Avoid Overeating.

skinny plate

By taking this BIG baby step for one month, we think you’ll see a definite difference in how you look and feel.

Now that you’re eating smaller portions, what about starting a fitness program? This is the next logical step in your journey toward a healthier lifestyle. We have a program designed for all fitness levels with a step-by-step guide that was created for those who need an effective home workout program. Check out TOTAL BODY TRANSFORMATION today.

Comment below if you’re in on the challenge. Let us know how the challenge is going by checking in once a week and letting us hear from you. We feel confident that you’ll succeed and your willpower will only get stronger.

None of the information contained in this challenge is intended to replace qualified, medical advice. Please seek qualified advice from your doctor before beginning this or any challenge.

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SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

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376 Comments

  1. I’m joining. I have been portioning my meals very successfully but I feel a little off track. 30 days to get myself back there will be awesome!!

  2. I found your blog on Pinterest and have been reading it this week. I am going to try the 30 day challenge. I will be 52 this summer and have tried every diet under the sun and am tired of gaining all the weight back! I like the sound of the 30 day challenge because it isn’t a diet. I’ve known this is the way I should eat my whole life, but have never actually stuck with it. The weight certainly doesn’t come off as easily as it did when I was younger, so I’ve got to do this and keep it off! I want to enjoy retirement with my husband in a few years and when I feel better, I’ll be able to! I’m looking forward to starting this! I hope I didn’t over share! 🙂

    1. Kelly, Thank you so much for the message. I’ve personally followed this plan for over 10 years and it has worked for me, now at 60.

      Please keep us posted on your progress. Maybe you will want to write a short testimonial.

      You can do this!!! 🙂

  3. I’m in too! I am 60 years old and have been hit with many serious health problems the last three years. Being in active has taken a toll! God give me strength!

  4. I have to wait until payday to buy the food & then have several events this weekend which I know I will not stick to the rules during. I’ll be meal prepping & snack making on Sunday & 100% committed to the healthy food choices starting Monday. I will, however, start adding in exercise & smaller portions today. I’m excited! See you all on the other side!

  5. You may have already answered this: next best salad dressing after oil & vinegar? Cannot tolerate vinegar. Honey mustard? French? Thank you.

    1. Sonia, Use freshly squeezed lemon juicke instead of vinegar. Do want a recipe or a brand of dressing? I have yet to find a 100% healthy salad dressing in the grocery stores. We’ll soon be publishing 6 delicious plant based salad dressing recipes.

      Anyone have a brand that’s clean and healthy?

  6. My son and I are going to get together tonight and discuss this and get on the same page and start this amazing plan.
    Ill let u know after 30 days the results!!
    Love this Plan!

  7. I’m in !! I read an article years ago in the Prevention Health magazine that talked about a ‘saucer’ diet and if you follow it , it does work! I like this because it gives a little more guidelines for your saucer!

  8. I started this today. I did some meal prep yesterday using your recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the next few days so i’m set.

    One question though, in your recipes, does one serving count as the whole skinny plate? The Pasta Salad with Pesto, Mozzarella & Tomatoes im sure it did, but tonight im have the Lite Tuna Melt Wrap, so i’m guessing that I add the extra veg to it.

    I can’t wait to get to the end and say that i’ve stuck to this

    1. Hi Haley, One serving is the recommended amount for an individual. However, unless a recipe is a complete meal, please add a veggie or other healthy side.

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