Stevia is actually NOT in the original protocol

Start Weight: 168 lbs
Goal Weight: 138 lbs
Weight after two loading days:  171.7 lbs (3.7 lbs total gain)
R2P2D12: 160.3  (-11.4 lbs gross, -7.7 lbs net)


1.1 lbs released -- woohoo!  I knew the losses would pick up if I just hung in there.  Look out 150's, here I come!


Today I wanted to talk about the use of stevia as an alternative to other artificial sweeteners.  I recently discovered that, contrary to what I had first thought, Dr. Simeons did NOT include stevia by name in his original protocol.  (The copy that I had seen had obviously been changed at some point prior.)  The original protocol says this in the BREAKFAST portion of the diet:

Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar.  Only

one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. 

Saccharin or other sweeteners may be used.

I assume that the phrase "other sweeteners" is referring to any other artificial sweeteners, which today could be referring to aspartame, sucralose, or any of the many sugar alcohols.  The version that I had been referring to had been modified (probably by some well-meaning individual) to say "Saccharin or stevia may be used."  Actually, this is completely okay with me.  My family and I had already made the switch from sucralose to stevia a couple of years prior to me beginning this diet.  My husband is in the medical field, and was alarmed at some of the things that he was discovering about sucralose (Splenda) as he was years prior after he researched aspartame (Equal).  We decided that these were not something that we wanted our family to be ingesting on a daily basis, and were intrigued when we learned about the Stevia plant.  We ordered (and still do) pure stevia in bulk.  (We used stevia before stevia was cool! :)  The other way I take stevia, as you know if you have been reading my blog, is in liquid form via the Sweetleaf flavored Liquid Stevia Drops.  I like these two methods since it doesn't have any extra "fillers" or other undesirable ingredients since I do use stevia everyday.


I know some folks do not like the taste of stevia.  Well, let me tell you, stevia is definitely an acquired taste.  I didn't fall in love with stevia when I first stopped Splenda and made the jump to stevia in my morning coffee.  In fact, I thought "Yuck!"  But, my husband really wanted us to wean off of Splenda.  So, the way I did it was to gradually lower the amount of Splenda I was using while simultaneously increasing the amount of stevia.  It didn't take very long to make the switch.  Now stevia tastes great to me!  If you haven't tried it, or were turned off by the taste, I want you to give it another try.  I really do feel it is better for you than the other alternatives.


My tip for today is to please give stevia a try, but be careful about how it is packaged.  Truvia is a highly-advertised sweetener that has stevia as an ingredient, but it also contains the sugar alcohol Erythritol.  In my research, I have seen that sugar alcohols have contributed to slower losses or stalls in some people, so use them with caution, especially if you use significant quantities.  I do from time to time use Spry mints which are sweetened with Xylitol, and I have not noticed any associated slow down in my losses. You will have to make those decisions for yourself.  I just want to be sure that you are informed.

Now, on to the menu...

2p:        Baby Spring Mix lettuce topped with diced
               Quorn Naked Chik'n Cutlet* and dressed with
               fake Honey Mustard dressing (Spicy brown
               mustard mixed with ACV)
6p:        Apple
8:30p:  Steamed broccoli* and Nonfat Cottage Cheese
9:30p:  Orange "sherbet" (1/2 frozen orange, 1/2 fresh
             orange, Vanilla Creme Stevia to taste, 1 tsp skim
             milk, a few pieces of ice... And blend!)

* OFF PROTOCOL WARNING!
- The Quorn Naked Chik'n Cutlet is not on protocol. I use it as one of my alternative protein sources.
- Broccoli is not on protocol. I decided to try it on my last round because it is packed with nutrients and it is a non-starchy vegetable that I really enjoy, and I didn't appear to suffer any ill effects from eating it so I plan to continue.


Well, it's been a long day and I'm ready to hit the sack.  So, 'til tomorrow -- later losers!