Just finished reading the book yesterday and have started Phase 1 this morning. I wish the book had a little more specifics in regards to the diet.
Here is my question: Do I have to eat ALL of the food listed in the Phase 1 allowed every day OR are those items listed as the maximum amounts I'm allowed to have each day?

Also, are we allowed to have Splenda or butter spray in Phase 1? I noticed some of the Phase 1 recipes in the book have butter, olive oil and lf mayo in them, but it's not shown on the allowed list.

Thanks for your help.

I think the instructions in the book are a little confusing, because he doesn't really explain this well. It's my personal understanding that we are to eat each of the foods in P1 as listed. 2 cups of rice, 1 cup oatmeal, 2 cups milk, etc. It's important to include foods from each group so that your diet is balanced, and doesn't cross the line and become a fad diet. I added it all up, adding reasonable amounts of vegetables and fruits, and it came to between 1300 and 1500 calories. I ate everything and still lost 6 pounds in 9 days. P2 and P3 get a little trickier, though, because he lists several categories but doesn't explain well how you are supposed to select from them. You kind of have to wing it.

On page 19, he says we can have up to 3 tablespoons of low fat dressing per day, and a minimal amount of added oil if necessary for food preparation (1 or 2 teaspoons).

He suggests not eating splenda during P1 because he wants us to focus on natural foods. But a lot of people have been including Splenda without any problems.

Good luck

thanks.