For the Nutritionist: Questions re: Ultramet. Phase I: soy, chocolate, fruits, grains
Submitted on Wed, Jan. 2nd at 10:12 pm by Pat K
Currently completed UltraMetabolism week 7 
Not yet begun the UltraSimple Diet 
Hi, I'm just about to go buy the groceries to start Phase I -- AND I'm worried because believe it or not, the menus appear MUCH SWEETER than what I'm used to! For 24 years now I've been managing my "sugar addiction" and have eaten only nuts, seeds, LOTS of vegetables, eggs, fish, some meats and a few low-sweetness fruits like Granny Smith apples. I do eat the occasional slice of whole-grain bread and a little brown rice. The "sweetest" thing I eat is two small bananas a week! However, I do rate as "moderately toxic" so want to try the program... but I'm concerned that the increased carbs, especially the high fruit content of the menus as shown in the book, will set off my sugar cravings and create more problems than they solve. Can you give me any reassurance about this?
Also, I already know I can't tolerate soy very well (intractable diarrhea that stopped instantly when I went off soy....). What can I substitute: almond milk? And what for the tofu, the yogurt, etc.? There's a lot of soy in this diet!
And finally, I haven't eaten chocolate, or anything with caffeine, in almost 25 years. I have no interest in it and don't want the caffeine, since my system has had none for so long andwould probably be ultrasensitive to it. Do I HAVE to eat cocoa nibs, etc., or can I substitute something else? Is it an important part of the program?
Sorry about the all the questions -- but I have by and large done well on the natural diet I am already following -- except for the moderate toxicity signs and gaining 15 lbs in two years. Clearly there's room for improvement -- I just don't want to rock any boats. Suggestions? Many thanks!
Your personal approach
Submitted on Sun, Jan. 13th at 3:44 pm by nutritionist
Not yet begun UltraMetabolism
Not yet begun the UltraSimple Diet
This is general medical information only. For analysis, diagnosis and prescriptions, consult your doctor or other medical professional.
In reading and re-reading your email, it sounds to me like you have designed an approach to eating for many years that you are most comfortable with and takes in to consideration the many factors that you have learned about yourself and dietary response.
Perhaps you need to stick with your personal appraoch and increase your physical activity routine to help with weight loss and moderate toxicity and pay attention to portions as perhaps the 15 lb weight gain is due to the quantity not the quality of your diet?
So, no need to rock the boat - sounds like your whole foods diet designed by YOU is just perfect! Congratulations,
Kathie Swift MS RD
Thanks, Kathie! -- and an update
Submitted on Mon, Jan. 14th at 10:17 am by Pat K
Currently completed UltraMetabolism week 7
Not yet begun the UltraSimple Diet
Thank you, Kathie! I appreciate your sensible approach. And in fact, I had already increased my exercise considerably, and lowered portions -- and though I didn't gain any more weight I didn't lose, either. So I decided to go ahead anyway and try Phase One with some modifications, partly because I am supporting my partner, who really needed to detox. I substituted almond milk for the soy milk, AND TRIED SOME SOY YOGURT AND TOFU anyway, to see what would happen. And to my amazement, it's just fine now, at least in the moderate quantities I tried. And I have not developed any issues from eating fruit in my snacks -- AND in just 10 days my toxicity scores went down from 53 (moderate) to 2 (optimal)! So clearly there's been something, even in my "good" diet, that's been an issue. It'll be interesting to see how I react when we start re-introducing things in Phase Two.... Oh, and by the way in those same 10 days I did lose 1.25 lbs -- not a lot, but then I'd not expect to lose pounds very fast given I doubt if I have much water weight.