[midwestmama]

Quick ?

I'm addicted (never would have guessed it) to a Ricotta/NF Plain Yogurt blend. I add: Pack of Sweet & Low or Nutrasweet. Maybe a few almond slivers or chopped up peanuts (not over daily limit). Bit of Vanilla Extract and/or almond extract. Maybe a pinch of cocoa powder. Try to use more Ricotta than Yogurt. Have about 2 1/2 cups a day of the blend, maybe less.

I'll just be honest. This has made is possible for me to get into Phase 1 (week 2; w/o cheating). But, in the first few days, before I became addicted to this, I was down 7 pounds. I gained 2 back, and am barely hanging on with a 5 pound loss. I'll start Phase 2 this Saturday.

I think there is a 2 cup limit on LF/NF dairy, correct? But, what about the Ricotta cheese? Isn't this unlimited? Otherwise, I'm basically only eating meat (try to keep it lean), eggs, and salads. I don't like much more, and I've become lazy, really. ALSO, I drinks lots of Crystal Light. I'm exercising well.

Am I doing anything wrong?

Thanks so much for your help here.

[Ruthxxx]

Well.....ricotta does have calories and IMHO 2½ cups a day is too much as it's 849 calories for the part skim! I'd limit it to just ½ a cup. That would be straight ricotta without yopghurt. Sorry! Check out www.fitday.com

The 2 cup limit on dairy is correct. Remember that ricotta IS dairy so you are eating over your limit which certainly could impact weightloss!

Plain water is better for you than the artificial sweeteners in Crystal Lite. Have you tried making it with twice the water? That would cut back some.

[midwestmama]

By golly, no wonder I started putting the pounds back on. I'm way over.

Thanks for the quick reply.

[chick_on_the_beach]

A portion of ricotta is about half a cup so I wouldn't exceed this in a day. It is much higher in calories than f/f yogurt. Try to limit it to desert. Are you having this in addition to your snacks?

[ozziesgirl]

I find it kind of heavy but still like a sweet treat so I have been breaking the 1/2 cup up throughout the day. Maybe that will help you. You will still be able to have the sweet treat a few times but are still within your limits.

[ellis]

This IS a diet after all. You've gotta cut back SOMEWHERE! (says she, who just ate a third of a tub of sugar-free icecream)

[beachgal]

Ellis, you crack me up!

Yup, we have to cut back somewhere!

Midwestmama, have you tried the Sugar Free popsicles? They have No sugar added creamsicles and fudgesicles too. These are low in calories, but very sweet. There is also SF jello, and it even comes premade in little cups so you can get your portions clearly.

I hope that helps!

[ellis]

Oh, yeah, Laurie. Those popsicles are good. A box of six doesn't last very long, does it?

[midwestmama]

So funny. yeah, I guess this is a diet, isn't it?

The sugar free jello gives me stomach cramps & upset. Bad, Bad.

I wasn't sure about the cream pops b/c they are fruit flavored. Guess maybe that is artificial.

I only had 1/2 of ricotta today, and survived. Sigh Guess I'll live through it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[poeteangel]

Yummy... creamsicles..... better than that Ricotta stuff... I am going to have to mix it in the blender with some yogurt or something... too gritty for me and my hubby almost spit it across the room!!!! But... I'll give it another chance. I did like the non-fat yogurt with a little bit of splenda and a drop of cocconut extract... yummy... like a pina colada!!