Help! What Should I Eat?
 

So I am going away on vacation and decided to phase off diet until I come back. (I know it's a risky move)...

The problem I am having is that I am supposed to start Phase 4 on Monday, but I am failing miserably at Phase 3! I am so attached to my IP foods and this diet, that I am too scared to eat regular food.

Every morning I am eating a multi-grain english muffin with small amount of yogurt butter, and then I've been eating an IP lunch, IP snack and a protein for dinner. (Also roasted cauliflower which I eat daily). I feel like I am setting myself up for failure since I will not be able to eat these foods while on vacation and am too scared to start gaining weight, so I won't change it up. I am supposed to be eating 3 non-IP meals at this point. Some days I eat 1 and some 2. I have a couple more weeks before I leave so I am hoping to really phase off.

All this to say....can anyone suggest a couple of Phase 3 and 4 menus, or a place to find Phase 4 menus. I will not have access to any kind of microwave, stove or oven for 8 days, so I am talking about ordering foods at restaurants and buffets (on a cruise).

Thanks!

Hi dinkydee - Just curious, why do you say you are failing at P3? What part of it is causing you problems?
I notice that your breakfast sounds pretty sparse, you should add some fruit and protein - is there enough in the yogurt? maybe add some nut butter. Are you using MFP to check?

Don't be afraid of P4 :)

To start, try to keep it simple. Have a P3-type breakfast. Grain, dairy, fruit, fat.
That could be oatmeal, with yogurt or milk, some fruit, --or ---egg/toast with PB, fruit, milk or yogurt. Should be doable at restaurants
Lunch - protein, veg, fat - so a Chicken caesar salad, or a regular salad with full fat dressing, with some chicken, shrimp? maybe some cheese. Tuna salad with mayo on lettuce?
Dinner - protein, veg, carb - so any lean protein, veggies just like on P1/P2, and a good carb (potato, sweet potato, rice, quinoa).
You can have your IP bar/drink for a snack, or you can have fruit, or almonds - maybe take some of these with you to keep on hand.

Good luck, and don't stress out too much, Vacations are supposed to be fun ;)

The cruise will not be as bad as you think. Vegetables are available in the buffet, I ate a big salad for lunch everyday and added a piece of plain chicken breast (also at the buffet). I did bring along my own walden farms dressings on the cruise.

For breakfast I would have them cook me 2 eggs without oil, they have cooking spray and I would add a piece of toast and some fruit, I would also make my own iced coffee with skim milk. I also found turkey sausage. Not necessarily all the same day.

Dinner in the restaurants was more difficult, but I found with all the walking I did, and keeping my breakfast and lunch good, I did not really worry about my dinner choices. My husband would order desert and I would sample but rarely ordered my own.
A cruise has great food options, but walk the buffet and look at the items.
Have a great time!

Thank you so much for the responses! By 'failing' I just meant that I am so attached to my IP foods that I'm having a hard time phasing off them. I should be eating 1 IP food and 3 non-IP at this point. I usually eat 2 and 2.