Getting Ready for Your Weight Loss Journey
If you’re new to the program, we highly recommend partnering with a virtual counselor to enhance your chances of achieving successful weight loss. During the Preparation Phase, your dietary plan includes:
- Unlimited protein sources (meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish)
- Unlimited raw green salad vegetables, excluding peas
- Half of an orange in the morning and half in the evening
- Ten 8-ounce glasses of water daily
- A quarter to half a teaspoon of Morton Lite Salt
- Optionally, two eggs per day or a substitute like Egg Beaters for breakfast
Please note that during this phase, the following items are not allowed: fruit juices, cooked vegetables, bread, milk, cheese, deli meats, peas, pasta, pork, and condiments like mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup. You can use oil and vinegar for salad dressing, and feel free to use natural seasonings such as garlic or onion powder, provided they don’t contain additional salt or sugar
Preparation Phase Food Choices
Meat (unlimited): Steak, hamburger, roast, veal, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, shrimp, lobster and scallops. (Chicken and turkey can be cooked with skin, but absolutely no batters or breading); Fish or shellfish can be broiled or basted with butter, oil or margarine
Vegetables (unlimited): Lettuce, endive, cabbage, spinach, peppers, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, green onions, sprouts, etc.
Eggs: Two daily or Egg Beaters
Morton Lite Salt: ¼-½ t. sprinkled over food
Water: Ten 8 oz. glasses
Limited Selections (in addition to the water):
• Coffee – Two (2) regular; four (4) decaffeinated
• Tea – Two (2) regular; four (4) decaffeinated
• Diet Soda – Two (2) 12 oz. cans of clear diet soda (no colas)
Vegetables (unlimited): Lettuce, endive, cabbage, spinach, peppers, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, green onions, sprouts, etc.
Eggs: Two daily or Egg Beaters
Morton Lite Salt: ¼-½ t. sprinkled over food
Water: Ten 8 oz. glasses
Limited Selections (in addition to the water):
• Coffee – Two (2) regular; four (4) decaffeinated
• Tea – Two (2) regular; four (4) decaffeinated
• Diet Soda – Two (2) 12 oz. cans of clear diet soda (no colas)
Exemptions from the Preparation Phase
- Gout: Excessive protein may exacerbate joint inflammation.
- Breastfeeding Mothers: Infants require additional nutrients, including milk and carbohydrates.
- Vegans: Avoid animal protein.
- Anticipating Surgery: Increased calorie intake required during anesthesia.
- Oral and Insulin Diabetics: Additional carbohydrates needed for medication adjustment.
- Kidney Disease: Protein places undue stress on kidneys.
- Heart Disease
- Multiple Medical Conditions
Modifications During Preparation Phase
Preparation Phase Adjustments:
-
Non-red meat eater:
- Fry eggs in butter or margarine.
- Consume chicken and turkey with skin.
- Broil fish and seafood with butter or margarine.
-
Hypoglycemics:
- Eat protein meals every 2-3 hours.
- Include an extra orange between lunch and dinner.
-
Teenagers:
- Add 1 oz hard white cheese (e.g., Monterey Jack, Gouda, Swiss, Mozzarella).
- Incorporate 8 oz. of skim milk at breakfast.
- Enjoy an additional orange between lunch and dinner.
-
Ages 65+:
- Include 8 oz. of skim milk in the morning.
-
Over 300 Pounds Starting Weight (same as teenagers):
- Add 1 oz hard white cheese.
- Include 8 oz. of skim milk at breakfast.
- Consume an extra orange between lunch and dinner.
For Those Taking Diuretics or Similar Medications:
- Increase to 2 oranges daily.
- Use 3/4 tsp. of Morton’s Lite Salt.
- Include 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables with your evening meal.
Oral or Insulin Diabetics / Heart Disease:
- Skip Preparation Phase, begin Evaluation Phase.
- Schedule Nutritional Presentation on day 3 or later.
Clients Requiring PMD Approval:
- Consult a virtual counselor before starting.
- Begin with the Evaluation Phase.
- Schedule Nutritional Presentation on day 3 or later.
Gout:
- Consult a virtual counselor, avoid specific foods.
- Start on NGP III with restrictions.
- Limit to one protein supplement (bar) per day.
Strict Vegetarians:
- Begin with Evaluation Phase.
- Follow Program I-III with Plan V (vegetarian protein choices).
Ulcers, Gastrointestinal, or Stomach Disorder:
- Steam vegetables.
- Substitute 1/8 cantaloupe for each 1/2 orange if citrus-sensitive.
Caffeine Dependence:
- Gradually reduce caffeine intake.
- Limit to two cups of coffee per day.
Carbohydrate Withdrawal:
- Increase water intake, consider supplements.
- Reassure clients that withdrawal symptoms will pass.
- Carry an orange to alleviate severe symptoms.
Days 4-7 (if Preparation Phase extended):
- Add 1 extra orange.
- Include 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables (same selections).
This version provides a succinct overview of the adjustments individuals may need to make during the Preparation Phase.
Preparation Phase FAQs
- If you depend on caffeine from coffee or soda, we recommend gradually switching to decaffeinated options until you’re down to two cups daily.
- If you’re not a fan of eggs, we suggest trying egg beaters. If eggs are still not an option, you’ll need 4 oz. of protein that you prefer for your three days.
- In case you don’t enjoy oranges, we recommend substituting 1/8 of a cantaloupe for each half orange.
- If you ever experience headaches, fatigue, or nausea, it could be due to carbohydrate withdrawal. Here’s what to do:
- Ensure you’re consuming all recommended foods and spacing them properly.
- Consume your fruit and water as directed.
- Use the products we’ve recommended.
- If you suspect carbohydrate withdrawal, consider adding an extra daily orange (total of 2), or you can try 1 tsp. of granulated vitamin C or 1 tsp. of baking soda.
- We’re here to support you every step of the way, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns during your Preparation Phase.
Re-Prep
The Re-Prep Program within the Preparation Phase is intended for use when a major deviation from the program occurs. A weight gain of 3 pounds or more and being off the program for a full week or longer should serve as your guideline. Re-Prep is only recommended after completing the second full week on the program.
Avoid using Re-Prep more than 2 to 3 times during programs lasting 9 weeks or more.
The guidelines for utilizing Re-Prep remain the same as those for the Preparation Phase, with the exception of the following:
Guidelines:
• Limited to 3 days only.
• Continue to take all Q-Line products.
• Consume a maximum of 2 Q-Snacks per day (powders only).
• Monitor your weight daily during the preparation period (excluding Sundays) and record your progress in reverse order.
• Maintain identical food choices.
• Keep the same water intake requirements.
Please remember to incorporate any special modifications required while using Re-Prep.