update: there's a new Stillman QWL support thread in the Buddies forum .. http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=445056. Come on over

Doreen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Submitted for approval, is the following summary written on the Stillman Quick Weight Loss Diet. If there needs to be anything added, please let me know... and feel free to edit as necessary. Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to share my experience with Stillman's QWLD.
Stillman's Quick Weight Loss Diet Summary
This is a summary for The Quick Weight Loss Diet, commonly known as the Stillman Diet. He also published other diets as well, but the Quick Weight Loss Diet or QWL diet, for short, will be discussed in this summary, in addition to the Stay-Slim diet, which is also covered in his book.

The Stillman QWL-Diet was originally published in August 1968,according to the paperback copy that I have. Conflicting reports off of the web state that it was published in 1961, by Irwin Maxwell Stillman, M.D. and Samm Sinclair Baker, (who later co-wrote the Complete Diet' with Herman Tarnower and, barely credited, Jean Harris). The book not only includes the QWL diet, and Stay Slim eating, but also has over 60 additional diets for those who want a little variety. There are diets according to particular health problems, one-food diets, craver’s diet, just to name a few. Stillman was a strict carnivore, allowing his patients to eat only lean meat, poultry, eggs, and low-fat cheeses. His theory was that the protein molecule is so big and complex that it takes the body more energy to digest it.

3, Basic Philosophy/Strategy: It was one of the first low carb diets and was very popular in its time. Even now, it is known as quick way to shed extra weight. The plan is very Low (practically nonexistent) Carbohydrate and also low fat diet, with food choices being as lean as possible, and no fats or oils to be used in preparation of meals. The main emphasis is on eating protein to lose weight.


There are 2 phases to this diet: First, the QWL-diet, which can be compared to the Induction phase of Atkins, however as I will show, is different in composition than Atkins. The second phase of the diet, is what Stillman refers to as stay-slim eating. This can be compared to the Maintenance phase of Atkins, though again with different foods.

The following are what is allowed on this diet:
NOTHING ELSE IS PERMITTED ON THIS DIET--NOTHING! IF IT'S NOT
MENTIONED IN THE FOLLOWING LIST, DON'T EAT OR DRINK IT.

Eat all you wish of the following foods to satisfy hunger.
If you eat until you've satisfied your hunger but haven't stuffed
yourself, and then feel hungry before the next meal, you can eat
again, but only from the foods listed here. In fact, you're better
off eating smaller meals 6 times a day than 3 bigger meals as is
the general custom. But you limit yourself to this extensive list
of high protein foods.

1. Lean meats: with all possible fat trimmed off and have it broiled, boiled, baked or smoked. No fats, butter, oil, margarine or other fats or greases in preparation of it.

2. Chicken or Turkey: With all skin removed, Broiled, roasted or baked and same rule as above in regards to preparation.

3. All Lean Fish, such as haddock, cod, flounder, perch.SEAFOOD:shrimps,scallops,lobsters,oysters,clams,crabs,again broiled, baked or boiled... same rules apply to preparation of meats. CANNED TUNA MAY BE EATEN, BUT ONLY IF WATER PACKED.

4. EGGS: Hard-boiled preferably, but you can eat them anyway you prefer, just prepared the same as meats, that is, without any oils.

5. Cottage cheese, farmer’s cheese, pot cheese and other cheeses made with skim milk in moderation, and not made with whole milk.

6.At LEAST 8 glasses of water per day, ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to this diet (10 oz. glasses). You are also allowed, coffee, tea, and any non-caloric beverages on this diet....IN ADDITION to the water requirements.

7. BROTH, CHICKEN CONSOMME, BEEF BOULLION: Check labels for low calories, and to make sure no fats are used in preparation.

8. LOW CALORIE ARTIFICIALLY SWEETENED GELATIN: May use ONLY if limited to 1-2 average servings per day. No toppings allowed,

9. HERBS AND SPICES: OK if used in moderation.

10. CATSUP, COCKTAIL SAUCES: Use in moderation IF they contain no fat! NO MAYONNAISE, SALAD DRESSINGS, NO OILS OR FATS, NOT EVEN "LIGHT" SALAD DRESSINGS

11. VITAMIN-MINERAL TABLET DAILY.



The eight (10 ounce) glasses of water daily are in addition to
whatever coffee, tea and non-caloric carbonated beverages you
drink. This is an integral part of the specific internal process put
into motion by the Quick Weight Loss Diet. Much more of your
body fat is burned up than with most other diets. This leaves in
its wake the waste products or ashes of burnt fat. [ketone bodies]
They must all be washed out of your system by water which also
serves to relieve any unpleasant dryness and taste in the mouth.

Note: ketone bodies are not ashes; they are the by-product
of incomplete burning of fats. Ketones are to fat as charcoal is to
wood. Ketones can be burned for fuel by your body. Most people
have feedback loops to protect against ketosis-acidosis.

You may use common seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic,
cloves, thyme, other herbs and spices, cocktail sauce, Tabasco
sauce, horseradish, ketchup. Don't use any creamy or oily sauces
or dressings. No mayonnaise, no salad dressings, no oils, no fats.


NOTHING ELSE IS PERMITTED ON THIS DIET--NOTHING! IF IT'S NOT
MENTIONED IN THE PROCEEDING LIST, DON'T EAT OR DRINK IT.

If you disregard the instructions and eat regular carbohydrates
or sugar or alcohol, you will stop burning up stored fat as
efficiently. Even one indiscretion, one mouthful of ice cream, for
example, will set you back a day or two.

You will lose the most weight on The Quick Loss Diet, most quickly,
if you eat only to satisfy your hunger pangs rather than to gratify
a desire to eat just for the pleasure of eating.

This diet has practically no residue (fiber). Therefore it is likely
that you may not have a bowel movement for a few days, although
not necessarily so. In any case don't be alarmed by any such lack.
[Note: extra vitamin C or milk of magnesia is helpful in some cases]

NO FOODS (NOT PERMITTED)
NO ALCOHOL
NO RICH DESSERTS
NO SOFT DRINKS CONTAINING SUGAR
NO DAIRY PRODUCTS PERMITTED OTHER THAN THE CHHESES LISTED, AND EGGS.
NO SUGAR
NO CEREALS OR PASTA PRODUCTS
NO VEGETABLES OR FRUITS OF ANY KIND
NO NON-PROTEIN FILLERS
BASICALLY IF IT IS NOT ON THE LIST OF ALLOWED FOODS FOR THE QWL-PLAN, IT IS NOT ALLOWED!


6. Typical menu: Stillman advises eating 6 meals a day as opposed to 3, for faster weight loss.
QUICK WEIGHT LOSS DIET SAMPLE MENU STAY-SLIM EATING PLAN
Breakfast: 2 eggs 1 c. Orange juice
2 oz. Skim milk cheese black coffee or tea
black coffee or tea

Mid-morning: 1 HB egg 1 slice toast w/ 1 T. jam
Snack ½ c. cottage cheese black coffee or tea or
black coffee or tea or non-caloric beverage
non-caloric beverage

DINNER: 4 oz. Lean hamburger Hamburger
1-2 oz. Skim milk cheese or 4 asparagus spears
½ c. cottage cheese ½ grapefruit
choice of non-caloric beverage choice of non-caloric beverage

P.M. Snack low-cal. Sugar-free gelatin 1 slice toast
Choice of non-caloric beverage 1. oz. Cottage cheese
(NO TOPPINGS ALLOWED) Choice of non-caloric beverage

SUPPER: serving of bouillon soup 6 shrimps w/cocktail sauce
4-6 oz. Roasted chicken 2 lamb chops
2 oz. Skim milk cheese baked potato
Choice of non-caloric beverage spinach
Lemon meringue pie
Choice of non-caloric beverage

BEFORE low.cal.sugar-free gelatin 1 glass of skim milk
BED SNACK Choice of non-caloric beverage 2 graham crackers

Note: This is just a sample menu. There are no restrictions on the amount of lean meats, skim milk cheeses, and cottage cheese on the QWL diet. The only restriction is on the low-calorie sugar-free gelatin,1-2 average portions per day, with nothing added.

The rules for the Stay-Slim diet are to gradually increase carbohydrates and fat portions, and watch for a 3 lb. Increase on the scale. If you see that, then go back to the QWL diet to take it off.

The emphasis on The Stillman Quick Weight Loss Diet is predominantly protein, with no carbohydrates, and no added fat, choosing lean meats, and no oils used in preparation thereof. The cheeses allowed are of the skim milk variety. He also advocates exercise as a means to quicken weight loss, and sufficient sleep for the body to rest.

The QWL diet does not offer any deterring from the ALLOWED FOODS list. Any deviation from this list is seen as a definite No-no, and to be avoided at all costs. He says that weight loss can be stalled by such deviations. The book themselves,



Dr. Stillman practiced medicine for over 50 years with the following accreditations: consultant in Internal Medicine at Coney Island hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y., was attending physician in Medicine at Coney Island hospital, an attending physician in Medicine at Harbor hospital, a clinical instructor of Medicine at Long Island College Hospital, a Fellow of the American College of Angiology and a Fellow of the American Geriatric Society. It is irony that Stillman died of a heart attack in 1975 - after some 20 million people had been on his diet. (Even armed with this bit of information, I would not be one to contribute his heart attack to his diet.)
A main difference between this diet, and Atkins is food preparation, no oils or fats are to be used AT ALL, and lean meats are allowed, not fatty ones, in fact they are highly discouraged. You can have no-cal. sodas on this, although I think I would heed Dr. Atkins advice about aspartame re: this. NO VEGGIES WHATSOEVER, NO EVEN LETTUCE!
I done this diet when I was younger, and lost 26lbs. in 4 weeks, and I followed it to the *T*, and that was even the original one that did not allow the gelatin and the soup! It does work, BUT a person has to be willing to stick to it strictly. Falling off of it, will greatly slow down the fatburning process. If someone doesn’t mind the restrictions, in my opinion, this is a diet that will bring about a quick reduction.

I have not heard anything about my summary... is it ok? The diet material, i.e., foods allowed & preparation, I got from the book... so as to give accurate information... if it needs any revising, please let me know? Thank you.

The restrictions and rules listed appear to have nothing to do with the typical day's diet.

Following the rules, I would think you'd suffer from rabbit starvation. The meals, though, look like good old-fashioned fare.

Is the diet from a different phase than the rules?

seyont... i looked to see what you meant... thinking what???? and I see the error... i put the original summary in columns for the diet menues... being 2 different phases represented... and putting it on here, did not go into columns as I had wrote it originally,... will edit it, then repost... thanks for pointing this out!!!!

hi Suze,

Thanks, we appreciate it and any self-edits you feel are necessary. I have Stillman's QWD too, but confess that I haven't read it in a while.

If you don't mind?, I'd like to split off your review from this general thread, and make it into its OWN thread. That way it will be easy for folks to find.

Doreen

This is a summary for The Quick Weight Loss Diet, commonly known as the Stillman Diet. He also published other diets as well, but the Quick Weight Loss Diet or QWL diet, for short, will be discussed in this summary, in addition to the Stay-Slim diet, which is also covered in his book.

The Stillman QWL-Diet was originally published in August 1968,according to the paperback copy that I have. Conflicting reports off of the web state that it was published in 1961, by Irwin Maxwell Stillman, M.D. and Samm Sinclair Baker, (who later co-wrote the Complete Diet' with Herman Tarnower and, barely credited, Jean Harris). The book not only includes the QWL diet, and Stay Slim eating, but also has over 60 additional diets for those who want a little variety. There are diets according to particular health problems, one-food diets, craver’s diet, just to name a few. Stillman was a strict carnivore, allowing his patients to eat only lean meat, poultry, eggs, and low-fat cheeses.

It was one of the first low carb diets and was very popular in its time. Even now, it is known as quick way to shed extra weight. The plan is very Low (practically nonexistent) Carbohydrate and also low fat diet, with food choices being as lean as possible, and no fats or oils to be used in preparation of meals. The main emphasis is on eating protein to lose weight. Stillman's theory in the excessive protein allowances, was that the protein molecule was so big and complex that the body requires body more energy to digest it.

There are 2 phases to this diet: First, the QWL-diet, which can be compared to the Induction phase of Atkins, however as I will show, is different in composition than Atkins. The second phase of the diet, is what Stillman refers to as stay-slim eating. This can be compared to the Maintenance phase of Atkins, though again with different foods.

The following are what is allowed on this diet( THE QUICK WEIGHT LOSS DIET:PHASE 1)
NOTHING ELSE IS PERMITTED ON THIS DIET--NOTHING! IF IT'S NOT MENTIONED IN THE FOLLOWING LIST, DON'T EAT OR DRINK IT.
Eat all you wish of the following foods to satisfy hunger.
If you eat until you've satisfied your hunger but haven't stuffed
yourself, and then feel hungry before the next meal, you can eat
again, but only from the foods listed here. In fact, you're better
off eating smaller meals 6 times a day than 3 bigger meals as is
the general custom. But limit yourself to this extensive list
of high protein foods.
1. Lean meats: with all possible fat trimmed off and have it broiled, boiled, baked or smoked. No fats, butter, oil, margarine or other fats or greases in preparation of it.
2. Chicken or Turkey: With all skin removed, Broiled, roasted or baked and same rule as above in regards to preparation.
3. All Lean Fish(such as haddock, cod, flounder,perch) SEAFOOD:shrimps,scallops,lobsters,oysters,clams,crabs,again broiled, baked or boiled... same rules apply to preparation of meats. CANNED TUNA MAY BE EATEN, BUT ONLY IF WATER PACKED.
4. EGGS: Hard-boiled preferably, but you can eat them anyway you prefer, just prepared the same as meats, that is, without any oils.
5. Cottage cheese, farmer’s cheese, pot cheese and other cheeses made with skim milk in moderation, and not made with whole milk.
6.At LEAST 8 glasses of water per day, ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to this diet (10 oz. glasses). You are also allowed, coffee, tea, and any non-caloric beverages on this diet....IN ADDITION to the water requirements.
7. BROTH, CHICKEN CONSOMME, BEEF BOULLION: Check labels for low calories, and to make sure no fats are used in preparation.
8. LOW CALORIE ARTIFICIALLY SWEETENED GELATIN: May use ONLY if limited to 1-2 average servings per day. No toppings allowed,
9. HERBS AND SPICES: OK if used in moderation.You may use common seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic,
cloves, thyme, other herbs and spices.
10. CATSUP, COCKTAIL SAUCES: Use in moderation IF they contain no fat! NO MAYONNAISE, SALAD DRESSINGS, NO OILS OR FATS, NOT EVEN "LIGHT" SALAD DRESSINGS.You may use Tabasco
sauce, horseradish, ketchup. Don't use any creamy or oily sauces
or dressings. No mayonnaise, no salad dressings, no oils, no fats
11. VITAMIN-MINERAL TABLET DAILY.

The eight (10 ounce) glasses of water daily are in addition to
whatever coffee, tea and non-caloric carbonated beverages you
drink. This is an integral part of the specific internal process put
into motion by the Quick Weight Loss Diet. Much more of your
body fat is burned up than with most other diets. This leaves in
its wake the waste products or ashes of burnt fat. [ketone bodies].They must all be washed out of your system by water which also serves to relieve any unpleasant dryness and taste in the mouth.
Note: ketone bodies are not ashes; they are the by-product
of incomplete burning of fats. Ketones are to fat as charcoal is to
wood. Ketones can be burned for fuel by your body. Most people
have feedback loops to protect against ketosis-acidosis.

NOTHING ELSE IS PERMITTED ON THIS DIET--NOTHING! IF IT'S NOT MENTIONED IN THE PROCEEDING LIST, DON'T EAT OR DRINK IT. If you disregard the instructions and eat regular carbohydrates
or sugar or alcohol, you will stop burning up stored fat as
efficiently. Even one indiscretion, one mouthful of ice cream, for
example, will set you back a day or two.

You will lose the most weight on The Quick Loss Diet, most quickly,
if you eat only to satisfy your hunger pangs rather than to gratify
a desire to eat just for the pleasure of eating.

This diet has practically no residue (fiber). Therefore it is likely
that you may not have a bowel movement for a few days, although not necessarily so. In any case don't be alarmed by any such lack. [Note: extra vitamin C or milk of magnesia is helpful in some cases]

NO FOODS (NOT PERMITTED)
NO ALCOHOL
NO RICH DESSERTS
NO SOFT DRINKS CONTAINING SUGAR
NO DAIRY PRODUCTS PERMITTED OTHER THAN THE CHHESES LISTED, AND EGGS.
NO SUGAR
NO CEREALS OR PASTA PRODUCTS
NO VEGETABLES OR FRUITS OF ANY KIND
NO NON-PROTEIN FILLERS
BASICALLY IF IT IS NOT ON THE LIST OF ALLOWED FOODS FOR THE QWL-PLAN, IT IS NOT ALLOWED!

Stillman advises eating 6 meals a day as opposed to 3, for faster weight loss.
QUICK WEIGHT LOSS DIET SAMPLE MENU
Breakfast: 2 eggs,2 oz. Skim milk cheese,black coffee or tea
MIDMORNING SNACK: 1 HB egg, ½ c. cottage cheese,black coffee or tea or non-caloric beverage
DINNER: 4 oz. Lean hamburger
1-2 oz. Skim milk cheese or
½ c. cottage cheese
choice of non-caloric beverage
P.M. SNACK low-cal. Sugar-free gelatin
Choice of non-caloric beverage
(NO TOPPINGS ALLOWED)
SUPPER: serving of bouillon soup
4-6 oz. Roasted chicken
2 oz. Skim milk cheese
Choice of non-caloric beverage
BEFORE BED SNACK: low.cal.sugar-free gelatin,choice of non-caloric beverage

THE STAY SLIM EATING PLAN: PHASE II OF THE STILLMAN DIET:

The rules for the Stay-Slim diet are to gradually increase carbohydrates and fat portions, and watch for a 3 lb. Increase on the scale. If you see that, then go back to the QWL diet to take it off.
STAY-SLIM EATING SAMPLE MENU:
BREAKFAST: 1 c. Orange juice, black coffee or tea
MID-MORNING SNACK: 1 slice toast w/ 1 T. jam, black coffee or tea or NON-CALORIC BEVERAGE
DINNER: Hamburger, 4 asparagus spears,1/2 grapefruit, choice of non-caloric beverage
P.M. SNACK: 1 slice toast,1. oz. Cottage cheese, Choice of non-caloric beverage
SUPPER: 6 shrimps w/cocktail sauce, 2 lamb chops, baked potato,spinach, Lemon meringue pie,Choice of non-caloric beverage
BEFORE BED SNACK:1 glass of skim milk,2 graham crackers

Note: This are just sample menus. There are no restrictions on the amount of lean meats, skim milk cheeses,eggs and cottage cheese on the QWL diet. The only restriction is on the low-calorie sugar-free gelatin,1-2 average portions per day, with nothing added.
The emphasis on The Stillman Quick Weight Loss Diet is predominantly protein, with no carbohydrates, and no added fat, choosing lean meats, and no oils used in preparation thereof. The cheeses allowed are of the skim milk variety. He also advocates exercise as a means to quicken weight loss, and sufficient sleep for the body to rest.

The QWL diet does not offer any deterring from the ALLOWED FOODS list. Any deviation from this list is seen as a definite No-no, and to be avoided at all costs. He says that weight loss can be stalled by such deviations.

Dr. Stillman practiced medicine for over 50 years with the following accreditations: consultant in Internal Medicine at Coney Island hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y., was attending physician in Medicine at Coney Island hospital, an attending physician in Medicine at Harbor hospital, a clinical instructor of Medicine at Long Island College Hospital, a Fellow of the American College of Angiology and a Fellow of the American Geriatric Society.It is irony that Stillman died of a heart attack in 1975 - after some 20 million people had been on his diet.

A main difference between this diet, and Atkins is food preparation, no oils or fats are to be used AT ALL, and lean meats are allowed, not fatty ones, in fact they are highly discouraged. You can have no-cal. sodas on this, although I think I would heed Dr. Atkins advice about aspartame re: this. NO VEGGIES WHATSOEVER, NO EVEN LETTUCE!
I did this diet when I was younger, and lost 26lbs. in 4 weeks, and I followed it to the *T*, and that was even the original one that did not allow the gelatin and the soup! It does work, BUT a person has to be willing to stick to it strictly. Falling off of it, will greatly slow down the fatburning process. If someone doesn’t mind the restrictions, in my opinion, this is a diet that will bring about a quick reduction.

"Wow, thankyou so much for the time and effort. We really appreciate it, and any self-edits you feel are necessary. I have Stillman's QWD too, but confess that I haven't read it in a while.

If you don't mind?, I'd like to split off your review from this general thread, and make it into its OWN thread. That way it will be easy for folks to find. Doreen"

Doreen, anywhere you would feel it's appropriate to post, is fine with me~I had originally wrote it to go into the quick links low carb plan comparison, but wherever it gets put is fine. The spacing on this forum is so different than on my WORD, so do spacing corrections, and whatever other ones you might need to do~ and thanks~!

For now, having its own thread here will be great for readers who are searching the various forums for info.

thanks again

Doreen

(Now I'm just being picky...)

'NO FOODS (NOT PERMITTED)' seems rather harsh. Is that instead supposed to be a heading for the list, something like...

The "NO" Foods (not permitted):

or

NONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOODS:

or maybe a word is missing

NO CARB-CONTAINING FOODS (NOT PERMITTED)


Also, there seems to be some strangeness in this passage, esp. between the aspartame and veggies, as if a cat stepped on the backspace key while you had a sentence highlighted:



I'll go away now.

NO FOODS (NOT PERMITTED) <--- this means NO FOODS(NOT PERMITTED) in that these foods are not permitted on the diet... and THAT MEANS NOT ALLOWED,NOT TO BE CONSUMED, NOT TO BE EATEN, NOT TO BE INGESTED..... get the idea???

and "You can have no-cal. sodas on this, although I think I would heed Dr. Atkins advice about aspartame re: this. NO VEGGIES WHATSOEVER, NO EVEN LETTUCE!"

If you read anything about what Atkins says about aspartame, you would know what I am talking about... Stillman's plan DOES allow diet sodas.... BUT Dr. Atkins, advises against the consumption of aspartame... including in diet sodas and non-caloric beverages... re:this.... means regarding this. The No veggies whatsoever...etc., is a continued part of that sentence~!

NOW.... ANYTHING "else" that you want to point out?

ive got a question...is the eggs there stated may be eaten as a whole(hardboiled)? or only the eggwhites???its only limited to 2 a day????
does this plan make u lose faster than atkins??and is it safe to use htis plan alternate to atkins induction..like there may be days id be doing the stillmans..there may be days id be doin atkins??/
*sorry, for too much queries

The only restriction is on the low-calorie sugar-free gelatin,1-2 average portions per day, with nothing added, otherwise you can have as much of the allowed foods as you want. You can have as many eggs as you want, and fixed whatever way you want, as long as there is not fats or oils used in preparation. I would get a stick-free skillet, some PAM,or similiar spray, and make omelettes with cheese, and you can also add different meats.
As far as your asking if this plan makes you lose faster than Atkins... I think that is an individual thing, and will vary with the individual. That may sound like a general answer, but it is true. Our bodies all react in their own way to dieting, and food, and this for you may be faster than Stillman's. I like the foods allowed on Atkins, but personally, for me... it is too much fat... but that is *me*...Stillman's gives me an alternative, even though it is much stricter than Atkins, it is not something that I mind doing.My plan right now is a mixture of the two, and it seems to be working, and if it doesn't then I will tweak it until it does!

Suze_C: Thank you (again) for the info. This is day 3 for me and I owe it all to your information, as the Stillman book is out of publication.

Doreen: Thank you for posting this in it's own thread. I did a search for Stillman on here 2 days ago and many of the comments by the 'non-newbies' were a little negative on Stillman. It is nice to see some positive, informational comments.

Julie

suze_c,
thanks for the rep!!!
i was jsut wondering..how do you combine both plans??one advocates fat and the other one doesnt? and what phase of the atkins plan are u in ryt now??

This is my own combination, and I am trying it experimentally... I guess if I had to give it a phase from Atkins, it would still be in Induction though... How am I combining the two? Let me see if I can explain it... I am eating the allowed foods from Stillman's,... that is, the lean approach to food preparation,not using fats or oils to prepare my food, and sticking to low fat/skim milk cheeses. I had read some time ago, and cannot recall where now, that it was better to eat the white cheeses, than the yellow ones... and I tend to eat more white ones, than yellow... and I allow myself a salad with allowed veggies from atkins in there... one per day if I am hungry for it.... otherwise I just eat the allowed foods on Stillman's... I don't mind the restrictions per se, it is still more than I ate "before" and certainly healthier... I drink at the least a gallon of water per day, but that is my own personal thing, and I think if a person can at least drink the water requirement of Stillmans, that they should be ok.I know that I could eat sugar free gelatin, but since I am not craving anything sweet, I forgo that part of the diet. Like I said... I am just trying this.... I have done a high carb/low fat diet in the past, and lost 40 lb. in 3 months... I ate LOTS... usually 1800-2000 calories per day, and it seemed all I done was eat some days The thing was, I still had cravings, and I had my fill of the high sugar/low fat goodies that I was "allowed"... I had a personal goal to eat as low fat as I could, and it seemed the pounds just melted off... I walked EVERY day, at least a mile, and some days up to 9 miles per day! When I started out, I could barely do a mile, and then I got to the point where I was running alongside my friends car, so we could gauge how fast I could run! aaahhh the things bored ppl will do for fun!! I had every intention of continuing with that way of eating, then I got p.o.'ed at my ex,(he was my hubby then), and I thought I will show you.... and went back to eating all of the crap that I was eating before... and gained all of my weight back... and even more later~ The thing is, I am relearning how to eat healthy... I know eventually I will be adding more carbs, and more fat...though the healthier kind of fat, to my way of eating... but being on this LC way... I feel so much better... I have more energy, my overall attitude is better... do I still have bad days? I would be lying if I said that I was upbeat all the time... but I can definitely tell the difference since Sept. 20th, when I started eating Low Carb... Will what I am doing work for anyone else? I honestly cannot answer that question... we are all unique... and our bodies, though there are similarities, are also different... I am working on finding what works for me... and if it works for some one else.... .... I am glad to have helped out in my sharing what I am doing... the tape measure will be what tells the story... and should things not work out the way that I anticipate... then it is tweaking time again~ until I figure out what works the best for me~ gadz I have turned this reply into a mini-novelette! Hope my reply helps ya out though~ Ciao for now~ p.s. Julie, you might try the library and have them do a book search for you, they can sometimes get books from other libraries on a loan, where you can read the whole thing