We have tried to provide answers to an extensive list of questions below – however if there is more information you need please do feel free to contact us – we are here to answer all your questions! Contact us!
DO YOU DELIVER TO MY AREA?
La Petite Diet delivers to Coste del Este, Punta Paitilla, Punta Pacifica. If you live outside these areas please contact us to see how we can find a solution for you (for example you may be able to arrange your own driver to pick up meals, or we could deliver to your workplace if it is in the delivery zone).
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Simply use our online registration form or call us on 643 05123. Registration takes between 10 to 15 minutes.
HOW LONG SHOULD I SIGN UP FOR?
Getting healthy doesn’t happen over night, which is why we recommend the 6-week program to see significant results. However, we acknowledge some people may be in need of a ‘quick fix’ approach, when getting ready for a special event or the like – so programs can we bought as one week or four. We are also happy to extend programs according to your long-term needs.
WHEN CAN I START?
We start deliveries on Monday every week – that means if you sign up any time before midday Friday you can start the following Monday.
SHOULD I SEE MY DOCTOR OR NUTRITIONIST BEFORE STARTING LA PETITE DIET?
It is a great idea to always seek out medical advice on your specific body and medical needs before starting any weight loss program. In fact we recommend visiting a nutritionist for a pre and post program assessment, and to individualize your nutrition or fitness plan as appropriate.
Our Nutritionist, Etty, would be happy to help you – and offers a special price package of $25 per session for La Petite Diet customers (discounted from $45).
And please note that the information presented on this website is in no way intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical treatment. This program is only intended to be used by healthy adult individuals: it is not intended for use by minors, pregnant women, or individuals with any type of health condition.
HOW WILL MY FOOD BE DELIVERED?
Our delivery team will bring you a La Petite Diet cooler box with all your meals in it and leave it at your door or with your concierge. In exchange simply make sure you give them the cooler box (and icepack) from the day before.
Food delivery is twice on Mondays – once early morning for Monday’s meals and once late in the day for Tuesday’s meals. For the rest of the days week deliveries will be made between 4-10pm daily.
(CHART)
Monday Before 7am Delivery of Monday’s Meals
Monday Between 4-10pm Delivery of Tuesday’s Meals
Tuesday Between 4-10pm Delivery of Wednesday’s Meals
Wednesday Between 4-10pm Delivery of Thursday’s Meals
Thursday Between 4-10pm Delivery of Friday’s Meals
Friday Between 4-10pm Delivery of Saturday’s Meals
WHY ARE MEALS ONLY SERVED 6 DAYS A WEEK?
Freedom and Flexibility.
Most clients told us they wanted a 6 days plan to allow for the fact that many have weekend plans and commitments. Having one day off gives you the freedom and flexibility to fit La Petite Diet into your lifestyle.
Having one day a week off also allows you to put your La Petite Diet learnings into action – follow our nutritionists top tips on best food to pick when eating out, quick and easy diet recipes, the best healthy options when you’re out shopping etc.
WHY DOES LA PETITE DIET FOCUS SO MUCH ON FRESH FOODS?
Because fresh is always best. These days’ people eat too much processed foods, bad carbohydrates and sugars. La Petite Diet’s meals use the freshest, simplest ingredients, and are designed to help your body work more efficiently.
WHAT IS THE NUTRITIONAL MIX OF THE FOOD I WILL BE EATING?
Our nutritionist-designed meal plans are focused on ideal food balance – and making sure you are eating the right combination of ingredients.
La Petite Diet provides the right balance of food in the right portions to help you lose weight, feel energetic, and maintain good health. This is done by providing our customers with a healthy balance of good carbohydrates, such as “low-glycemic” whole grains, legumes and vegetables, lean meat and fish proteins and healthy fats. Our program consists of a healthy balance between meals based on 40% carbohydrates, 30% fats and 30% proteins, mixed together with general low-calorie recipes.
HOW DO I KNOW CALORIE PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR ME – 1200, 1400 OR 1600?
Many woman wanting to achieve weight loss consume approximately 1400 calories per day. However, different people have different needs (for example woman with more significant weight loss goals should use the 1200 calorie program, people who are more physically active need to consume more calories, men require more calories than woman etc) – so we recommend you make a pre-post assessment with a Nutritionist to assess your individual body, desired goals and results achieved. The Nutritionist will also advise if you need extra calories what are the best additional items to include beyond your La Petite Diet plan.
Our Nutritionist would be happy to help you !
HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT IS IN MY MEAL PLAN THAT DAY/ WEEK?
We will send you out a daily message telling you what delicious treats you can enjoy that day. We will also include any special instructions – about heating or putting the meal together.
WHY ARE SNACKS INCLUDED?
In life and dieting, timing is critical. When trying to loose weight it is important to consume calories at the correct times. Research shows that the body should eat approximately every 3-4 hours. Therefore La Petite Diet provides you with 3 gourmet meals and 2 snacks everyday. The smaller snacks help maintain insulin levels relatively stable during the day. This stability is especially important when eating a reduced calorie diet because the snacks help signal to the body that it is not going to starve (important, as if the body went into starvation mode, the metabolism would actually slow down). In fact eating these 5 meals spaced throughout the day actually increases your metabolism and ensures your peak weight-loss potential. Note: that means you should eat all your meals and snacks even if you are not hungry.
HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN EXPECT RESULTS?
Individual results vary, but you should start to notice results within 5–10 days (some people will loose up to 4 pounds in the first week), as well you can expect to feel more energetic and have less food cravings. Typically the first block of weight to be lost consists of body fat, water weight, or both combined. But it is important to remember that the main focus of this program is reducing body fat and developing overall health.
The average client may lose approximately 8 to 10 pounds during the first month and 6 to 8 pounds per month thereafter.
WHAT IF I GO TO A RESTAURANT?
Follow our Top Tips When Eating Out section of our Blog . Additionally our team will be happy to get in touch with the restaurant, look at the menu and advise on the most healthy food option.
TOP TIPS WHEN EATING OUT
When ordering a salad at a restaurant, request your dressing on the side and consume moderately – or better yet just squeeze over some lemon juice and a splash of olive oil. Next, always choose a protein like chicken, fish, beef, veal, lamb or low fat tofu. A good rule of thumb to determine the right protein portion size is that it should be equal to the size and thickness of your palm.
It is better to decline the breadbasket, rather than be tempted to eat it as it sits on your table. Steamed vegetables are your best bet to order as a side dish.
When choosing carbs, choose the healthier kinds like fruits and vegetables. Your portion size can be determined by curling your hands into a loose fist. When choosing less favorable carbs with higher levels of sugar or starch, allow yourself one fistful.
If you are dining at a restaurant where they serve big portions (and most restaurants do!), cut your meal in half before you start to eat it. It makes it easier if you ask for a take out container and save half your meal to eat at a later time.
WHAT IF I AM GOING AWAY OR DON’T NEED A MEAL?
Once you start a program you cannot stop for certain days. To get the most out of the program and achieve your weight loss goals you need to stick to the meal plans sent.
However, you could always freeze a selection of the meals that were freezable, for latter consumption. (For additional information see the Cancellation Policy.)
WHAT IF I’M STILL HUNGRY?
The program gives you the correct daily balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats – and at the correct portion sizes. Part of effective long-term weight management is retraining our mind and body to appreciate the ideal portion sizes. Some people may find it takes 2-3 weeks for their body to settle into the new regime especially as portion sizes can be less than they are used to. Hang in there and talk with our nutritionist – we are here to help!
If you are really hungry then it is best to snack on some vegetables (peppers, celery, carrots or cucumber). Choose vegetables over fruit as they contain less sugar and are less acidic, however the odd apple, pear or a few berries is fine.
WHAT CAN I DRINK?
Water, water and more water. You should be aiming to drink between 1.5 and 2 litres of water and/or herbal teas a day. Obviously, the more active you are, the more water you should drink, so adjust your intake accordingly.
Try to avoid juice and fizzy drinks. It is important to keep well hydrated as thirst can often be mistaken by the body as hunger.
If you drink alcohol, avoid beers or spirits. It is best to have some food in your stomach before you drink because the food will slow down the absorption rate of the sugar into your bloodstream and will help to keep your insulin levels in check. Remember that you will need to eat fewer carbohydrates at that meal if you choose to drink alcohol. And make sure that you drink plenty of water afterwards, to flush it through your body.
To get the best results on the plan we do advise that you avoid alcohol and sugary drinks when possible.
WHAT IF I AM ALLERGIC TO SOME FOODS?
Let us know when you register any allergies and we will try our best to accommodate them (please see Statement regarding Food Allergy section for more details).
STATEMENT REGARDING FOOD ALLERGENS
The eight most common food allergens are: milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts (for example: almonds, cashews, walnuts), fish (for example: bass, cod, flounder), shellfish (including crab, lobster, shrimp), soy and wheat.
When signing up you need to advise any allergies and we will do our best to accommodate them. However, it is important to realize that we do indeed prepare foods in our kitchens with all these ingredients, and while we make every effort not to do so, we cannot guarantee that there won’t be any cross contamination between meals.
Food allergy reactions can range from mild to severe. Anyone with allergies needs to exercise extreme caution if ordering La Petite Diet (we would not recommend the program for anyone with severe allergies). Please call us to discuss any questions on allergies that you may have (link to contacts).
WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIALIZED NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, WILL LA PETITE DIET BE ABLE TO CATER TO MY NEEDS?
We will make every effort to. Our team will be able to discuss any specific needs you may have. While our operation is in beginning stages we won’t have the same flexibility that we envisage we will offer as we expand (future plans may include: vegetarian, kosher, halal, gluten free etc), but in the meantime talk to us and we’ll see how we can help.
DO MEALS REQUIRE HEATING AND CAN THEY BE FROZEN?
Most lunch meals and some dinner meals will need to be heated; instructions will be provided in your daily menu email. If need be some meals can be frozen, usually lunch ones (remove fresh salads etc). Some smoothies will taste even more delicious if you add ice. We advise you to refrigerate all food as soon as possible.
CANCELLATION POLICY
There is no cancellation policy available for one-week plans (because of the time it takes to process cancellations, when food has been prior planned and purchased). However, for any other plan (month, 6 weeks or rolling), 5 days notice is required and the plan will be cancelled from the first Monday thereafter (following the 5 days notice). For example if you cancel on a Monday, your plan will run till the end of the week; however if you cancel on a Saturday, the plan will cancel not from the consecutive Monday, but the Monday 9 days later.
DO YOU HAVE CORPORATE ACCOUNT AVAILABLE?
Absolutely! With more and more companies now realizing that having healthy employees save them money we are keen to offer our services to companies. We can help with putting employees on meal plans and also can look at healthy catering options.