This video documents my attempt to follow Stephanie Buttermore’s initial All-In diet, replicating a day from her first year on this journey. This experience aims to understand the extreme hunger she initially faced. For those unfamiliar with the All-In concept, it’s crucial to understand its core principles. It centers around giving oneself unconditional permission to eat when hungry and eat whatever food is desired, removing restrictions and focusing on physical rather than emotional hunger cues. The goal is to alleviate the mental and physical drawbacks of restrictive dieting, with weight gain as a necessary side effect.
The All-In approach draws heavily from intuitive eating principles and the work of Dr. Nicola Rinaldi, who advocates for a minimum of 2500 calories per day with no upper limit or food restrictions to restore healthy menstrual cycles. While a slower weight gain pace might suit some, Stephanie’s rapid approach proved effective for her. Individualization is key, and this shouldn’t be taken as personalized nutrition advice.
To authentically recreate a day of Stephanie’s All-In diet, I consulted her journal entries and MyFitnessPal records from June 21st, 2019, to ensure accuracy. This isn’t a random selection of foods but a genuine reflection of her early All-In experience.
The first meal consisted of two packets of Trader Joe’s oatmeal, sliced banana, and a topping of Special K Protein Cinnamon Brown Sugar cereal. This provided a substantial and satisfying start to the day, especially beneficial for those who struggle with feeling full in the morning.
The second meal featured a double-stacked veggie burger with cheese, pickles, ketchup, avocado, mixed greens, baby potatoes, and a small sweet potato with sour cream. This meal offered a savory and satisfying balance to the sweetness of the earlier oatmeal.
Between meals, a small snack of cheesy crackers helped bridge the gap and cater to cravings for savory flavors. This type of snack, while not strictly whole foods, represents the flexibility that can be incorporated into the All-In approach.
Post-workout, a Krispy Kreme raspberry-filled glazed donut provided a much-needed glycogen replenishment. This indulgence reflects the allowance for occasional treats within the All-In framework, especially in response to cravings.
Following the donut, a bowl of cereal provided another layer of satiety and helped manage post-workout hunger. This demonstrates the importance of listening to internal cues and honoring cravings throughout the day.
Dinner consisted of rotini pasta with ground turkey and spaghetti sauce, accompanied by three mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce. While a large and satisfying meal, the volume proved challenging to finish completely, highlighting the filling nature of such foods.
A few hours later, a serving of sushi offered a lighter yet satisfying meal option. This break from heavier meals provided a welcome change in texture and flavor profile.
The final meal of the day included watermelon, banana, kiwi, birthday cake Oreos, and two servings of Breyers Oreo Chips Ahoy ice cream. This combination of fruit, cookies, and ice cream aimed to satisfy the sweet cravings that often arise at the end of the day.
Even with meticulous planning, reaching the initial target of 5000 calories proved difficult. The high satiety level from whole foods like potatoes, pasta, and fruit made consuming large volumes a challenge. This experience underscores the importance of individualizing calorie goals and prioritizing satiety cues.
