P2 meat question

[freckle face]

Can we eat deli chicken? Specifically the Boar's Head low-sodium skinless chicken from the deli. What about turkey? Thanks.

[mysterious_5122]

If you are following strict protocol then the simple answer is "no". I do believe I've read where some have experimented with ground turkey and such. I'm sure you'll have some other answers, my first inclination is to say "not a good idea" because all deli meats are processed in some way or shape and the main focus in what we are supposed to be eating is non-processed foods. If you are already into your round and you feel like experimenting, then go for it - but if you aren't having good results this would be the first thing I'd remove.

Did I mention my gut instinct was "no go"? Lol...

Do you like to cook? There are lots of recipes that are really fulfilling if you take the time to make them - this isn't the easiest grab it on the run plan for food, it does take some time and effort.

Good luck in your adventure!

D

[freckle face]

Thanks so much. I haven't actually started yet. I just want to make sure I do it right.

[LaraSuzz]

I tried boars head chicken i think its like less than a gram of fat and low sodium too, but the problem was it was so dry I couldnt even swallow it.

[katiesmemaw]

Hi freckle face,
Dr. Simeons protocol was very specific about the no Turkey as it would slow weight loss. Chicken breast only.
Anxious to see your progress.

[freckle face]

Thanks all. I just got my HCG today, so I think I will start on Saturday. My husband likes to go out to eat on the weekends, so I might as well have my load days this weekend.

I'm curious to know what you do when you go out to eat? Do you just order a salad with no dressing and smuggle in your meats?

[verbqueen]

Originally Posted by freckle face

Thanks all. I just got my HCG today, so I think I will start on Saturday. My husband likes to go out to eat on the weekends, so I might as well have my load days this weekend.

I'm curious to know what you do when you go out to eat? Do you just order a salad with no dressing and smuggle in your meats?

That's exactly what I did. I also smuggle in a tiny bottle of dressing (I like to mix dijon mustard and cider vinegar with a little broth and some sweetener.) One time I even smuggled in a serving of P2 chili and dumped over my plain dinner salad for a P2 taco salad. I've been known to smuggle in chopped apple to put on the salad, too.

There's a REASON I carry a gigantic totebag for a purse!

P.S. Here's how I look at it: it's all about ME and my needs. I do not live to please the restaurant. I am taking care of my health! Plus, if I were unable to go at all, my husband and family wouldn't go either, and they'd lose ALL our business, so they are still coming out ahead.

[Nicole T]

I've been eating the 99% fat free ground turkey almost every day and am losing great. It's way less cals and fat than beef so I'm not sure how or why it would stall you. My boyfriend eats it too (we make the chili with it) and he's losing even faster than I am.

I probably wouldn't do the lunchmeat though unless you can guarantee nothing extra has been added.

[verbqueen]

If you HAVE to do lunchmeat, though, Boars Head is definitely the way to go.

[hauermich]

When I go out to dinner I look for a garden salad and usually there is an option to add grilled chicken or shrimp. Or chicken Caesar salad(with different dressing) There is no guarantee on how they cook the chicken or shrimp but you can always ask for them to grill it with no added oils. Then ask for fat free dressing. I am sure there is some sugars in the dressing but what can you do?

I also use ground turkey...99% lean ground turkey breast and I find it very filling and satisfying. I cook it in a non-stick pan and add a can of Rotel tomatoes and serve over steamed cabbage.

[freckle face]

I'm confused again. According to the protocol, you aren't supposed to mix vegetables. Meaning I can have spinach, but I couldn't slice cucumber on top. Or put tomatoes with cabbage. Can someone set me straight?

[hauermich]

I am under a doctor's care and her plan permits mixing of veggies and that is what I am following. Some here do not mix veggies, some do.

[freckle face]

Ok. Thanks so much for clearing that up. I think I'll mix at first.

[Tipsy]

I bring my own food in...always have. I order a Side salad with no dressing (cheese or what ever else doesn't belong) and limes. Limes and salt and beeper to tast putting my protine on top!

It is more important to focus on you!

Skip tge lunch meat

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by freckle face

I'm confused again. According to the protocol, you aren't supposed to mix vegetables. Meaning I can have spinach, but I couldn't slice cucumber on top. Or put tomatoes with cabbage. Can someone set me straight?

I am strict protocol so bear with me as I answer your questions. Dr Simeons' put his food list together for specific reasons. Who am I to question those foods???? I am not a doctor or a research scientist. I am someone who wants to lose weight. And lose weight as fast as I can on this plan. I picked this plan for the fast weight loss as much as the fact that we can keep the weight off in the end. Therefore, I do NOT eat turkey, tuna or protein shakes. I do NOT eat cauliflower, broccoli or mix veggies. Why is that ??? Because Simeon's did NOT include any of those on his plan. I have tried diets in the past and have fudged the rules......guess what ????!!! It didn't turn out that great. Otherwise I would NOT have needed to try this hcg.

My suggestion----eat what is included on the original list AND THAT ONLY!!!! It is the best way to start doing the hcg. I know MY WAY does NOT work!!!!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by freckle face

Ok. Thanks so much for clearing that up. I think I'll mix at first.

I suggest you not start off the bat rogue!!! Why not try it first the right way?????

[Nicole T]

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents--I did my first round totally following Dr S's rules with NO changes--lost on average .5-1 lb a day. This round I am using ground turkey (99%ff), eating broccoli & cauliflower and also use 1 T 1/2 and 1/2 in my coffee (1 cup in the morning). I am losing just as fast, if not faster than in my first round.

Not saying to go rogue, just saying that you can try it both ways and see what works for you. I made the decision that if I was going to have to do another round, I wanted it to be a bit more liveable even if that meant not losing as much as fast--but it turns out I'm still losing the same anyway so it all worked out

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Nicole T

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents--I did my first round totally following Dr S's rules with NO changes--lost on average .5-1 lb a day. This round I am using ground turkey (99%ff), eating broccoli & cauliflower and also use 1 T 1/2 and 1/2 in my coffee (1 cup in the morning). I am losing just as fast, if not faster than in my first round.

Not saying to go rogue, just saying that you can try it both ways and see what works for you. I made the decision that if I was going to have to do another round, I wanted it to be a bit more liveable even if that meant not losing as much as fast--but it turns out I'm still losing the same anyway so it all worked out

It has for you!! But you have that first round that is "by the book" to compare to. I think that is how it should be done. By the book first and then the next time you can go a bit off to at least have a comparison. That way you can figure out what is working and what is not.

One more thing to add...some people will lose fine with their tweaks in P2, and NOT stabilize in P3/P4. I hear it all the time, I lost well with coconut oil in P2. But could not stabilize in P3. I belong to hcg bootcamp on another site and the coach there tells her clients to NOT use coconut oil in P2 for that very reason. That alone is the factor why I don't veer off plan. I am doing it more for the "keeping the weight off" part than just weight loss. I know that by following Simeon's plan, I can keep it off.

[cathiasplace]

Originally Posted by verbqueen

That's exactly what I did. I also smuggle in a tiny bottle of dressing (I like to mix dijon mustard and cider vinegar with a little broth and some sweetener.) One time I even smuggled in a serving of P2 chili and dumped over my plain dinner salad for a P2 taco salad. I've been known to smuggle in chopped apple to put on the salad, too.

There's a REASON I carry a gigantic totebag for a purse!

P.S. Here's how I look at it: it's all about ME and my needs. I do not live to please the restaurant. I am taking care of my health! Plus, if I were unable to go at all, my husband and family wouldn't go either, and they'd lose ALL our business, so they are still coming out ahead.

Glad to read this as that is what I was planning on doing. My husband was making plans for the weekend after this and I told him no. Then I reconsidered that I could get a salad and bring some chicken and Walden dressing along.

I figured the same thing too, that I'm still ordering and so is the rest of my family. Kind of like sneaking food into the movie theatre, zoo, Disney (though Disney allows it now), etc etc.

[carlyandcamsmom]

Has anyone else had a problem with stabilization in P3 due to using Coconut Oil? I was told by my Dr. that is was safe to use on this progam. Now I'm worried. And what do you use to cook with if you can't use Coconut oil?

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by Nicole T

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents--I did my first round totally following Dr S's rules with NO changes--lost on average .5-1 lb a day. This round I am using ground turkey (99%ff), eating broccoli & cauliflower and also use 1 T 1/2 and 1/2 in my coffee (1 cup in the morning). I am losing just as fast, if not faster than in my first round.

Not saying to go rogue, just saying that you can try it both ways and see what works for you. I made the decision that if I was going to have to do another round, I wanted it to be a bit more liveable even if that meant not losing as much as fast--but it turns out I'm still losing the same anyway so it all worked out

mmm broccoli. wish I had the nerve to try it. With lemon and dill...

[Nicole T]

Lara--the reason I wasn't too scared to eat it is because it's on the low glycemic index list right along with cabbage and cauliflower and it's in the same family as cabbage. Have had no problems with it so far

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by carlyandcamsmom

Has anyone else had a problem with stabilization in P3 due to using Coconut Oil? I was told by my Dr. that is was safe to use on this progam. Now I'm worried. And what do you use to cook with if you can't use Coconut oil?

I use a non-stick skillet and chicken or beef broth. Works just fine.

[Zbunny]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

I use a non-stick skillet and chicken or beef broth. Works just fine.

Me too -- I pretty much cook everything in a splash of broth in P2 (or on the grill, which I use a lot). I am confused about why people are using coconut oil...it's a fat, which is exactly what we're avoiding in P2. I've seen it mentioned here a few times, but I really don't understand why, and I certainly don't remember reading anything about it in P&I. I know someone said something about the chain of fatty acids or something (I don't recall b/c I have the memory of a gnat) but it's still a fat, right? It still has 130 calories per tablespoon, and that's a huge portion of our daily calories in P2, even if you're able to limit it to a teaspoon, which is really not enough oil to cook with, is it?

I do, however, use it and enjoy it in P3.

To the OP: I went out a few times, but I usually tried to just eat at home, then have tea at the restaurant and just focus on enjoying the conversation, instead of worrying about the food. A few times I had to eat out because we were traveling, and I just ordered plain salads with grilled chicken (no oil) and added lemon juice on top, so that should work.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Zbunny

Me too -- I pretty much cook everything in a splash of broth in P2 (or on the grill, which I use a lot). I am confused about why people are using coconut oil...it's a fat, which is exactly what we're avoiding in P2. I've seen it mentioned here a few times, but I really don't understand why, and I certainly don't remember reading anything about it in P&I. I know someone said something about the chain of fatty acids or something (I don't recall b/c I have the memory of a gnat) but it's still a fat, right? It still has 130 calories per tablespoon, and that's a huge portion of our daily calories in P2, even if you're able to limit it to a teaspoon, which is really not enough oil to cook with, is it?

I do, however, use it and enjoy it in P3.

To the OP: I went out a few times, but I usually tried to just eat at home, then have tea at the restaurant and just focus on enjoying the conversation, instead of worrying about the food. A few times I had to eat out because we were traveling, and I just ordered plain salads with grilled chicken (no oil) and added lemon juice on top, so that should work.

I mentioned it just as an example of what people are including on plan that does NOT belong on plan. If you tweak the original plan, don't expect the same results as if you followed the original plan. And that follows into P3 and P4. Not just the weight loss part. Sheri, I gain if I use body wash as opposed to Dial soap. There is no way I am trying any kind of oil in P2!!! I am so strict protocol it ain't even funny But like you I am a coconut anything fan in P3!!! I love my coconut oil but I avoid it like the plague in P2.

[Zbunny]

Oh, I know you're a protocol girl, Dawn and I love ya for it! That's so crazy about the Dial soap vs. the body wash, though! I bet it's because you're so close to goal, your body will grab oil from any place it can...so you can't let it have access to any!

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

Just read this whole thread and it is SO interesting to me!!

I know from the last round that my body is very very sensitive to any types of oils, lotions, veering off protocol.

DAWN! Great posts! I agree with everything you say.

And, for those that say: "I did it, and I had no problem"....on many of these threads, I always want to chime in with this.

If you are a man, if you are under 40, if you have no thyroid issues, if you are more than 30 pounds overweight....then it makes sense that you would still lose even though you are rogue. I encourage my husband to go rogue. It is a very strict program, and he will still lose.

I think it's a mistake to compare ourselves to others without factoring in the above conditions. It's not "one size fits all"!

Yesterday, I deep conditioned my hair, (had to, after color touch up), and I had some turkey slices. I usually lose .5 a day on P2. Today I am up more than a pound. After you do this for a while, you notice patterns.

I gained over a pound. I know why I gained. I gambled. I lost. But, I'm over 40, have thyroid and insulin resistance. My husband could slather in body butter, and various other things and still lose, I think.

Like Dawn, I'm (usually) serious about this plan, and losing quickly. P2 is hard, and I am greedy to get as much out of it as I can. (after 9 days of HCG, and 7 days of VLC, I'm a pound over where I was before I started loading. See what I mean about slow?)

I don't understand at all why we can have chicken and not turkey. But I guess I'll follow it.