[ginaneric]

We've read a lot on here, and on other sites, and the phase 1 items conflict. Along with my sister's printout of phase 1 for me as well. I know some of you said the book was confusing and wasn't worth buying. Should we try to find the book or is there a good list somewhere online?

For instance, I don't know if I can use any butter, or if it's just the olive oil for cooking vegetables. Can I use a sprinkle of sugar to try to make the plain yogurt more palatable? Or can I use non-fat vanilla instead? Is 1.5 pieces of low-fat cheese allowed or not, same with 12-14 cashews and almonds? And is there any alternative to oatmeal... blech! lol. I'm finding conflicting answers and getting frustrated already and I'm on day 2.

I ended up eating 2 apples and a rice cake all day yesterday, and I know that's not right Eric did much better. We're doing this together. My sister lost over 30 pounds - and we used to weigh the same, so I wanna do this!

[ginaneric]

I am thinking I'll get out all the stuff I know is ok and put them on the counter, except for the fridge stuff obviously. Is balsamic vinegar ok for flavoring?

I just choked down 1/2 cup oatmeal with a sprinkle of splenda and cinnamon. =)

[MaryEllen]

Use the splenda, and use the low-fat vanilla yogurt. I was with you, one try at plain yogurt and it was game over.

By the end of phase 1 my favorite thing was to mix the oatmeal and vanilla yogurt together, and add a banana. Had that for lunch like every day.

[ginaneric]

ok, we went and got the book at B&N. I see that there is 1.5 pieces of lowfat cheese allowed in phase 1. And in the snacks section the nuts and granola bars. I think I'll skip the nuts and granola if I can. I didn't even buy any cashews - I don't know that I would be able to limit myself to only 10 or whatever I'm in process of rearranging the two freezers to put the forbidden stuff in one and the veggies in the other. Might help us clean out the old vegetables too - either eat or toss! I got a tub of Yoplait fat free strawberry. We'll finish the plain in the smoothies. I was going to buy the vanilla, but I'd be putting strawberries in it anyway - and they looked the same nutrition-wise.

I'm going to compile the info into a spreadsheet for each phase like my sister did. Much easier than flipping through the book and the faq's.



Back to the book

xxxNOTExxx - I realized after reading more in forums that the book has changed since it's re-release, and that's why some of the items listed as "ok" were not listed before!