Hi everyone-
I have't read all of the book yet, so put up with me if the answer is there.

I'm interested in SB and I'm collecting more information. Phase 1 has a 2 week menu plan in the book. Is that something strict I have to follow?

Here's my dilemna...
3 nights a week, I have class from 4:30pm-10pm (working on my PhD). Plus, I commute an hour to and from campus, so I'm basically either driving or sitting in class from 3:30-11pm. I don't have access to a microwave or fridge.

I simply can't have warm meals these days. Normally, I sit in class and munch on things that are discrete (pretzels, almonds, peanut butter sandwiches, luna bars).

So, given my crazy schedule, are there substitutions I could make for those evening meals during phase 1 and beyond? For example, I noticed one night called for salmon. I can't bring fish into class. So, what could I do instead?

Tell me the truth...is SB just not right for me? I like the idea of getting off the carbs. I'm a bit of an addict.

I didn't follow the book, never read the book. For dinner, since you can't have warm meals how about turkey lettuce wraps or Or a chicken breast salad...when I think of more I'll let you know, but I tend to eat the same things everyday.

You don't have to follow the menus in the book..they are simply an illustration of how to plan your daily meals and include everything that needs to be included.

There are a lot of things that could be brought to class and eaten discreetly. Cut up vegetables for one, a small bag of almonds or another nut, hard boiled eggs, etc. I love turkey lettuce wraps...even though I'm not doing Phase 1 anymore, I have them almost every day for lunch. I just wrap some fresh turkey (I really dislike luncheon meat, but you can use that as well), cheese, veggies and mustard in a big leaf of romaine or bibb lettuce. It works even better if you make it the night before and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap - it helps to bind everything together.

Just be sure to get your veggies and protein in.

i read the book and never followed the menus.

for food I suggest getting a good lunch "box" a soft sider cooler works well get one that keeps stuff cold for 72 hours and get some good ice packs.

string cheese
nuts
celery sticks
pepper sticks
hummus
salad
egg cups

all of those would work for phase 1

I love veggies with 2 TBS hummus. I also take greek non-fat yogurt or plain non-fat yogurt and flavor it with vanilla extract and splenda. A whole cup of yogurt is way more filling than the little servings of the commercial flavored stuff. Some people here flavor it with sugar free jello powder. String cheese or little packages of reduced fat cheese portions (I like the Kraft LiveActive Reduced Fat Colby/Jack) are readily available at most stores. Boiled eggs are very satisfying. I like to eat my 2 TBS of peanut or almond butter daily. Very satisfying. You could put it on veggies like celery. Good source of protein and healthy fats. Sometimes I wrap deli turkey around a piece of cheese when I'm really pressed for time. That and some yogurt and veggies and I'm satisfied for hours.

It's a must to plan ahead.especially when there are lots of really good excuses to be used when we get busy. (i'm kinna the queen of excuses)..so stock the frig with all the goodies you CAN eat,and pack it the night before...also I've learned to eat odd combinations..not odd to me anymore but some were in the beginning...like cold leftover steamed broccoli for breakfast..with a little mayo for dipping..i know weird,but i love it. take care,and welcome

I work full time, go to school 2 nights a week and Saturday, do freelance work, and have a toddler. I was able to get through Phase 1 plus without any issue because we planned ahead. We make our lunch the night before and include in it our breakfast, lunch, snacks, and on nights I have school I add an extra snack and then have a lighter dinner at home.

We make versions of those breakfast cups in the book (this week is spinach, chopped peppers and onions, and sausage) and usually use them or hard boiled eggs with V-8 for breakfast. Our normal snacks:

Cut peppers and hummus
cut peppers and laughing cow wedge
Nuts
String cheese
Baby Bell cheese
Fresh green beans
Celery and laughing cow wedge

I often end up coming home with some leftover food.

An awesome poor-man's gazpacho is salsa with black beans added, eaten with a spoon.

Since your class runs a lot later than mine, I would probably make lettuce wraps and salsa with beans for dinner on class night, or things like that. Really, though, we prep as much stuff as we can on Sunday nights for the week so our lunch packing involves more grab-and-toss than preparation.

Ok, if your just getting started, then you'll be phase 1, which makes wraps a bit difficult... but not really if your a bit creative.

I wholly agree with the cut raw bell peppers and string beans! Those are my new snacky foods! Nuts can be hard to stop after just 15 or so, but if you can then go for it.

Drink water. Most people drink far less water a day then we should. I'm guilty of that too. Water really helps your system work. But if your one of those people who can't stand plain water... there are those sugar free drink powders (I use half the amount they recommend so it tastes very light, but that's me). And, V8 comes in neat little cans.

For real food... make lettuce wraps. Get a head of iceburg lettuce, carefully peel off a leaf, and use that as your wrap.
The egg veggie quiches are also great ready food on the run.

If your stuck out and you MUST do fast food... get a salad and whatever fat free dressing they have... and use as little dressing as you can stand to.

With some planning and forethought - you can do it.

I'm a big fan of the lettuce wraps too and a lot of the time I try to eat a larger lunch (usually left-overs) then I'm not so hungry for supper and snacking is plenty enough to keep me full. Also, I have found through P1 (I just started it again too) it works to cook food in advance (like on Sunday night when I'm home) and then I have quick, but healthy choices to eat. I hate P1 of South Beach....hate it, hate it, hate it, but it works and it's true when they say the cravings disappear. You can definitely make it--just stick it out!! One meal at a time