You can do a tiny bit of lemon or a splash of cider vinegar to help you get your water down. I don't. I really do like water. Be careful not to overdo the lemon, though, because even a squeeze has trace amounts of carbs, and if you add it up over a day's worth (8-10 glasses), you can hit the "hidden carbs" barrier. The basic induction menu is protein/fat for breakfast protein/fat for lunch plus 2 cups of salad veggies off the list protein/fat for dinner plus 3/4 cup cooked allowable veggies or another cup of raw veggies Make sure you are getting some fat at each meal. If you are going too heavy on the protein and trying to eat low fat, then your body will turn the protein into glucose and you might have trouble getting into ketosis. For me, the glucose can easily become enough to fuel my slow metabolism. I need the full metabolic advantage of being in ketosis, and then I need to carve back my total calories while still eating fat in order to lose weight. (This is why I have the most success while journalling. I'm a tricky science experiment.) I have a real challenge tonight. Dear friends have been inviting us over for weeks to have her homemade Asian food. It sounds wonderful, but I'm sure it will not be Atkins-compatible. I've been saving all my carbs for dinner tonight, but it will still be tricky. I hope I don't throw myself off. I haven't lost anything this week, after a gain of 1 pound last week. (Female things going on that are contributing to water retention, I'm sure, but it's still frustrating!) Have you had any trouble with "Induction Flu" symptoms? Fatigue, headache, shakiness? I got a bit of that at first, but it was gone by day 5 when all the glycogen had been used up and ketosis kicked in.

I don't know all that much about WW, but I have had good results with the ketogenic/Paleolithic diet first mentioned. It was hard to get started, like most dietary changes, but now its habit. I have not found many chat sites for it, but if you have already gone back to WW I guess it doesn't matter too much. It seems to work pretty well, after being on the Paleolithic diet for two years I have lost ~60lbs, decreased my serum cholesterol and triglycerides, and become a really good cook (I think I remember what eating out was like ;) ) If anyone would like a friendly ear,... I guess we should all just be thankful these diets are self-imposed only for dropping the pounds rather than required for severe health problems. Good luck, whatever you choose. Stephen

Thanks MarieND, ElsMaMa, I somehow seem to have given the impression that my Dad wont follow a diet. Actually, he is very good about trying to stick to a low fat, low carb, etc diet, and has his diabetes well under control at this point. The problem is that he gets tired of his extremely limited diet, and who can blame him. I'm just trying to help him find some other things he can eat. Since he is 70, and male, he just isn't willing to learn how to cook complicated dishes. He makes stir fry, and simple soup and stew dishes, for example. I just thought that maybe there were some microwaveable dinners that would fit his diet. Given the large number of older folks with these problems, you'd think some bright boy would be marketing to them. Thanks again! Le Jane

It's entirely possible. For anything that calls for soybeans you can easily substitute other beans (white beans are probably the blandest and would change the flavor of the recipe the least but there's no reason not to use whatever bean you like). You can substitute things like rice milk, water, fruit juices for soy milk, as long as the flavor difference will work with the recipe. You'll be skipping tofu and tempeh and I don't know of good subs for them, but just leave them out or be creative. There's always seitan but personally it just tastes like soggy bread to me. I have many vegetarian cookbooks that have tons of recipes without soy (unfortunately, all are in storage 2500 miles away right now). Take some time at a bookstore or used bookstore and peruse all the veggie cookbooks there -- you should find plenty that fit your bill. There are tons of veg*n websites, too. I'm sure you can find good recipes there and also support for your changes. If you're worried about protein, see the website below, or google something like "protein myth" or "protein needs." It seems to be one of the least understood nutritional components, partly thanks to the pseudo-science of things like the Adkins diet. Here's an additional link: http://exercise.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/protein_2.htm I cook lots of things without soy -- in fact, we only eat it every few weeks at most and then only as tofu or tempeh -- there are so many great veggies, grains, beans, fruits, and a whole world of delicious eating without meat, and if you want, without soy! Have fun! Here is a link that might be useful: veggie protein