Phase 2 Prep

Phase 2 is right around the corner! Spend some time this weekend preparing for Phase 2 like you did for Phase 1.

Veggie prep. Here's the Vegetable Prep blog post if you missed it last week. We suggest you follow the steps outlined in the post each weekend (or on your day off, if you work weekends).
Recipe accompaniments. Check out the pantry, sauces and condiments and the sauces and salad dressings that are made with the recipes (i.e. the pesto from the Mixed Herb Pesto with Brown Rice Pasta on page 141) from both Phase 1 and 2. My mom made many of the pantry, condiment and sauce recipes small in case a reader was doing the diet alone (to avoid having leftovers). If you are feeding others or know you'll be using a particular recipe a lot feel free to double or even triple some it. Most will last a couple of weeks – some even longer (nut flours, nut butters). If you have any question about any of them let us know.
Adding foods back. If you missed my post from the other day there are some important tips here on how go about adding foods back into you diet as you reach Phase 2 (and beyond).

Dealing with Sugar Cravings

Hopefully you read this information was written by Dr. Singleton (on page 36 in our book) when you first started Phase 1. If not, read on. The last one is absolutely true. I never eat cane sugar but did once a couple of years ago at Christmas. It tasted SO overwhelmingly sweet and I felt really sick after eating it. Now I have no interest in cheating because I know what will happen.

Discontinuing all use of sugar is essential for recovery from chronic inflammation. It’s difficult, though, because sugar is addictive. Here are some tactics for dealing with the inevitable cravings.
Plan on feeling feel poorly for about three days while your body adjusts to the sudden lack of sugar.
Eat multiple small meals each day, making sure to include a source of protein and quality fat at each meal. Almonds are a good snack; they contain healthy protein and fat.
Take a good quality multi-vitamin that contains B-complex and chromium.
Always consult a physician before adding supplements as they may interfere or have adverse effects in combination with any prescriptions you are taking. If your healthcare provider approves them for you, three supplements that might help are glutamine, alpha lipoic acid and 5-hydroxytryptophan.
Your cravings for sugar should be greatly reduced by about one month after quitting it. Sugar will then seem extremely sweet, and you’ll feel lousy when you eat it (especially on an empty stomach). You’ll also notice increased energy and weight loss, and your gastrointestinal system will work better.