[Lose2Win]

Can't find this answer anywhere....sorry if it's redundant.

In the occasional veggie list it says only two of the listed options weekly....can the serving still be 2 cups? Like, if I want tomatoes, can I have a full 2 cups of tomatoes for my serving and omit any other veggies at that meal?

[infoplease]

Well, I actually got conflicting information on this.
The area IP rep said only 1 cup of tomatoes and that would be your restricted vegetables (with adding an additional 3 cups of the non-restricted for the day).

Unless you are making tomato sauce, 2 cups of tomatoes is A LOT. I know because I did it one day before I got the clarification.

Tomato was some big deal for me on Phase 1 (you'd think I would have them every day on Phase 4 but I don't). My coach, in trying to help me stay on program said I could have up to 4 cups per week (assuming I had no other restricted vegetables).

I might have done that for a couple weeks, but after that, it was just the idea that I COULD have them that kept me on track.

Logically, you would want to have the 2 cups of restricted vegetables on the same day, so you are only spiking the calories and naturally occurring sugars twice a week, so that it doesn't impact your overall weight loss.

This follows along the (MAINTENANCE!) idea that it is better to eat the pint of ice cream one a week rather than have a cup or two every night.

Doesn't answer your question exactly. If eating 2 cups of tomatoes twice a week is going to be the difference in your staying 100% or your getting frustrated, I would go ahead and do it.

[scorbett1103]

The way it was presented to me is that 1 cup is a serving. So the restricted veggies can be used 1 cup, twice a week.

But I totally agree with what infoplease said - if having 2 cups of tomatoes twice a week is going to mean the difference between staying on the diet or cheating, then do what you have to do. Will it affect your losses? Possibly, but not as much as falling off the wagon completely.

[Lose2Win]

Thanks so much!! Now I can plan accordingly for tomorrow

[Violetgal]

I have also heard that it is 1 cup, twice per week, but I don't make myself crazy over measuring or anything. Some weeks, I have more, some less. It has been my school of thought to listen to my body, and to try not to be too dogmatic or overly consistent. I truly believe that the changes in how you do things week to week can help spike your metabolism and encourage weight loss. I regularly have weeks where I eat less than I am supposed to, and weeks where I eat more, and over 20 weeks, my losses have stayed consistent. For me, learning to listen to my body, and to trust what it says, even if it isn't exactly what protocol dictates (while remaining OP) has been the most rewarding part of this journey, and I know that learning and trusting in this lesson it will ensure I keep the weight off as I move forward!

[sharrow]

Oh, I didn't even think to ask. We belong to a CSA and when tomatoes were in the basket, I would eat 2 cups in one sitting. Good to know.