I'm posting this here because so many people are asking about it...

This is just an excerpt from the recipes.

Day 1 & 2: liquids

The first two days are all liquids. You can have as many low-carb Protein shakes as you like to satisfy hunger or cravings. In addition drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of Water each day. The purpose of all liquids is to break any snacking, grazing or processed carbohydrate habits. In addition the liquids will work to cleanse your system and prepare you for the following three days.

Try to reduce your caffeine intake as well, but do not stop caffeine cold turkey or you will feel sick and frustrated potentially losing the desire to continue with the pouch test.

Day 3: Soft Foods

The next three days you get to eat as much as you want as often as you want! Ahhh, but there's a catch: it has to be solid protein and you only get 15 minutes each time you sit down to eat. No drinking 30 minutes before or after meals and no drinking with your food. A dry pouch will hold your soft protein longer helping your to feel full and fed longer.

Protein Recommendations: canned fish (tuna or salmon)or salmon) mixed with lemon and seasoned with salt and pepper, eggs cooked as desired seasoned with salt and pepper and/or salsa, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy), baked or grilled, and lightly seasoned.

This starts your program with "soft" protein. Measure your portion (1 cup volume or 4-6 ounces weight) and eat only until you feel full, not overfull. Remember, no water for 30 minutes before or after you meal, and no fluids with your meal. We are going back to the beginning and fluids will prevent you from feeling the pouch. If you need to add a moist condiment (e.g. mayonnaise) to the canned fish I understand, but keep it to a minimum so the meat is not too moist. One reason we lose the sense of tightness in our pouch is that we eat "slider foods" - foods that are too moist and do not stay in the pouch very long, they slide right through the stoma.

Day 4: Firm Protein

Protein Recommendations: ground meat (beef, turkey, lamb) cooked dry and lightly seasoned, shellfish, scallops, lobster steamed and seasoned only with lemon, salmon or halibut steaks, grilled and lightly seasoned.

By now you should be experiencing that familiar tightness that will reassure you that your pouch is working.

Day 5: Solid Protein

Protein Recommendations: white meat poultry cooked dry and lightly seasoned, beef steak (if tolerated) grilled or broiled.

Remember to chew chew chew. Measure your portion (4-6 ounces) and eat only until you feel your pouch tighten. Remember, only 15 minutes per meal, so you'll have to work fast to chew your food completely. By now you should be out of any carb cycle you were in and perhaps you have lost a pound or two. You will have new confidence in your pouch and your ability to work the tool for your health and emotional well being.

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I'm in the middle of day one--can anyone tell me, can I have as much liquids as I want or are they supposed to be like meals with snacks--like, should I try to wait four hours to eat another bowl of soup or can I have as much as I want?

I'm in the middle of day one--can anyone tell me, can I have as much liquids as I want or are they supposed to be like meals with snacks--like, should I try to wait four hours to eat another bowl of soup or can I have as much as I want?

Well, it says you can have as many low carb Protein shakes as you want, so I'd use the same criteria for the Soups. They allow both clear and cream soups but some cream soups (like potato) are high in carbs. So I'd say 'yes' if the soup is a low carb soup.

Personally, I'd keep the soups for meals and do the Protein Shakes in between because they're higher in protein and will satisfy your hunger better.

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