[Onervemurce]

Does anyone know of a modern day doctor who has figured out this diet and created their own interpretation of it? Bravo to Dr. Simeons for figuring out a protocol that works, but it CANNOT be the only protocol that would work. For example, how silly is it that all we Americans (for those of us that are American), are going to specialty shops to find grisini? The point is, we're allowed to have a tiny bit of carbohydrate with x calories, x grams of sugar, x grams of fat and x grams of carbs (or whatever). There's got to be other substitutions that would fit the requirements. Surely there are more vegetables and fruits that would make the acceptable list, if we knew what Dr. Simeons was looking for in these fruits and vegetables. There must be a thousand combinations of foods that would work just as well, if we understood exactly what made Dr. Simeons original combination the magic that it is. Anyone have any information they can share?

[carreraboyracer]

There's dozens of interpretations of Dr. Simeon's protocol flitting about these boards with all sorts of rationales behind them lead by people of all different backgrounds (including coming from doctors).

What's difficult to lock down, upon hearing someone say something akin to, "I did this and I lost more!", without really knowing what they would have lost if they would have stuck with the protocol (something that is impossible to know unless you're in parallel universes and can chat).

We simply do not know what Dr. Simeons was thinking with each of the choices, so it's only guesswork to duplicate it. My personal stance is that I will modify when need be (I have to go with Ryvita or Wasa, since Grisini is not an option in my small town....I use sugarless gum since ketosis breath and my job are not close friends....IM injections hurt and I'm a wimp so I'm going SQ), but stick to the protocol where I am able/willing.

My doctor has "improved" on Simeons, if you listen to her, but I have a different belief, backed by how many hundreds/thousands of patients Simeons saw, so I adhere to him as closely as I can.

[optormtix]

He tried many, many combinations before coming up with the list of foods. I don't believe it can be improved on. And what's the point of wanting that anyway? The protocol is easy to follow and works. It doesn't get any better than that!

[jhfkgkfdvjk]

Well, I did a lot of digging last night and discovered a few things.

1) the grisini/melba thing is optional, so no need to scour your town if you're ok with out it. Frankly, I had one yesterday in the car, after finding them at an Italian specialty shop, and then I wanted another. Just as easy for me to stay away from them, or maybe I'll grab one if I feel a little jittery and need a few extra calories.

2) there seems to be A LOT of protein substitutions, which is primarily what I was looking for. I've been drinking these protein shakes, one per day for the last 3 days. And the weight is coming off. I'm going to pick up more of these, plus I have a protein mix on order from Amazon. There's some vegetarian products that can be found in the frozen food section (check out the brand Boca). One girl said she was going to an HCG clinic and they told her as long as the protein meets these guidelines, it's ok:

Calories 80-120
Carbs 0g-8g
Sugars 0g-1g
Fat 0g-5g
Protein 8g-25g

Makes sense to me, and I think I will adhere to this, rather than drive myself crazy with chicken every day (as I do not like veal, seafood or fish).

Fruits and vegetables, haven't found any info on alternatives there. But I'm going to look up the glycemic index for oranges, apples, strawberries and grapefruit - does anyone know if there's a relationship there? Keep in mind, Dr. Simeons is from Italy. Oranges are VERY common, especially in southern Italy, which is maybe why it made the list. Raspberries, blueberries and other berries are very UNCOMMON in Italy and maybe that's why they didn't make the list. I'm going to do more research. If anyone else has anything to add here, I'd love to hear!

[JAMES PIETERSE]

Melba toast and Grisini are available in my area at Meijers stores. (They are a Michigan based company that came along way before Wal*Mart- so think Wal*Mart- one stop shopping huge store). I haven't had any problems finding either of these. Health food stores usually carry Melba toast as well.

Well, I did a lot of digging last night and discovered a few things.

1) the grisini/melba thing is optional, so no need to scour your town if you're ok with out it. Frankly, I had one yesterday in the car, after finding them at an Italian specialty shop, and then I wanted another. Just as easy for me to stay away from them, or maybe I'll grab one if I feel a little jittery and need a few extra calories.

2) there seems to be A LOT of protein substitutions, which is primarily what I was looking for. I've been drinking these protein shakes, one per day for the last 3 days. And the weight is coming off. I'm going to pick up more of these, plus I have a protein mix on order from Amazon. There's some vegetarian products that can be found in the frozen food section (check out the brand Boca). One girl said she was going to an HCG clinic and they told her as long as the protein meets these guidelines, it's ok:

Calories 80-120
Carbs 0g-8g
Sugars 0g-1g
Fat 0g-5g
Protein 8g-25g

Makes sense to me, and I think I will adhere to this, rather than drive myself crazy with chicken every day (as I do not like veal, seafood or fish).

Fruits and vegetables, haven't found any info on alternatives there. But I'm going to look up the glycemic index for oranges, apples, strawberries and grapefruit - does anyone know if there's a relationship there? Keep in mind, Dr. Simeons is from Italy. Oranges are VERY common, especially in southern Italy, which is maybe why it made the list. Raspberries, blueberries and other berries are very UNCOMMON in Italy and maybe that's why they didn't make the list. I'm going to do more research. If anyone else has anything to add here, I'd love to hear!