I just started JC this week. I find the food very good and very satisfying except for breakfast. I seem to be having trouble with the low/protein, hi carbs. In the past I have eaten egg beaters, turkey bacon or soy sausage, hot cereal w/o sugar or bran flakes with milk. I don't like having the muffins or sweetened cereal or granola bars, although they taste good. By my mid-morning snack (which is yogurt) I am almost ill. Tomorrow I'm going to talk to my advisor. The first week I didn't deviate from the written menu, but now am thinking it's not necessary to eat every single meal from the J.C. food bank.

Has anyone else had trouble with low protein?

I haven't had a problem, but I did decide to do my own cereal for breakfast.

If you feel confident about eating well at breakfast then talk to your JCC about doing your own breakfast with something that works better for you.

It sounds like you want more protein. So have it!

Sunshine Sandwich
Breakfast Stuffed Sanwich
Breakfast Scramble
Blueberry Pancakes w/Veggie Sausage

or.....

Have something that requires and additional meat or meat+fat for breakfast or lunch.

One egg=one meat + one fat

1/4 c. egg beaters=one meat

You don't have to do the planned menu, but if you choose to, you can make a few substitutions.

Do what works for you. You shouldn't feel ill; that's not part of the plan.

Good Luck.

You also don't have to eat everything in the order listed on the menu.

When I was getting up at 4:30 am, I'd start my day with yogurt and slivered almonds (fat exchange). Then after I got into the office around 8:00, I'd have my JC breakfast. When I have a muffin or bar for breakfast now, I have a glass of milk with it to get that protein boost earlier.

There are plenty of options. Keep experimenting to see what works best for your body.

Had my second meeting with my advisor today. I had lost 2 pounds but had been really struggling with the breakfast choices. The thing that became obvious was that she doesn't want me to exchange real food for the food on the plan. I told her that this morning I had a bowl of cream of wheat and a couple teaspoons of Benefil fiber in my milk instead of the muffin on the plan. I asked her how much protein, fiber and/or fat I was supposed to be getting at breakfast. She wouldn't say. She said I had to stay on the J.C. meals until I reached half-way, then I could have start having my own food. She suggested that I have the Anytime Bar rather than yogurt/vit pill at mid morning. But, she didn't know why - or at least didn't convey to me the Why of it. When I got home I looked at the Anytime Bar and it has 10 g. of protein! Well, yeah - wouldn't that make a difference? We finally compromised by clipping out the days with high protein breakfasts and taping them to the weekly menu sheet.

I think I must just be too stubborn for this. I want to have some say-so in what I eat. I took all the food for the week, but must say that I am going to do a little experimentation with the breakfasts. Maybe I'm just getting ahead of myself here.

Well, thanks for listening.

Hi Lester Lou,

I saw your picture - how did you get rid of the arm flab? You look great.

I, too get up early (but not 4:30) and usually have just coffee until bkfst. at about 7:30. If you have your yogurt at 4:30, what do you do about the 10:00 food?

Dear TheirGram - Sounds like you had a nice weight loss for week one - good for you. Next, the breakfast menu items do not bother me but were I you I would just sub using some WW recipes which are darn good and I think you get an oz. of protein for breakfast - hey, it's YOUR journey, your diet plan and if you can make it work using a non-JC food selection I say good for you! Geem seems way better choice to e rather than having a pity party and allowing yourself some high cal donut, etc - it is just using some good old fashion common sense ...

suzanne

I just hate to hear when people have problems with their JCCs. I started subbing my own food in week #3 and there have been no problems with either my JCC or the program director at the center.

I would consider the idea of trying another JCC if the one you have doesn't meet your needs. It happens all the time and isn't a big deal.

It's your program and you have to make it what you need it.

Thanks, everyone. I will try to adjust my attitude a little bit. I know I'm just cranky because of the diet.

We went to J. Carino's today and had the Minestrone Soup and a House Salad. And about a ton of unsweet tea. We were at the table for an hour and a half but I made it.

Also, we went to see Julie and Julia. It was a good movie, but oh, my the recipes - all that butter!

I got a flyer with my food order this week--there's a new breakfast food coming (not sure when, September?)--an omelet!! You'll have to try it!!
Oh, and to ditto others, it IS your journey and you are paying for the experience. If your JCC is not helping (which it sounds like she's not), try a new one!!
Good luck!

I also had a problem with hunger after breakfast. The little packets of cereal just weren't enough for me to stay satisfied until lunchtime, and sometimes, a snack isn't possible. I buy spoon size Shredded Wheat, or Special K and slice a banana on top; and with the Breakfast Scramble, I add a third of a cup of Egg Beaters.

My counselor advised me to be cautious about whole eggs. It's the yolk that has more fat content than I thought it did.

Btw, I weighed in yesterday and lost 5 pounds! Yay! (does a dance)

Congrats on your weight loss. That's like a five pound bag of sugar you are no longer carrying around with you.

I've heard about the egg yolks. Another big thing is the way the eggs are prepared. I remember my mother used to put a dollop of Crisco in the frying pan and then spoon the grease over the eggs as they cooked! That was before they invented PAM, thank goodness for it.

I like the Breakfast Scramble and I did get the Omelet in my Frozen Foods bag this week but haven't tried it yet.

The Omelet is yummy, TheirGram. And my, oh my, I also remember the spooning of the oil over the eggs, but my Mom used bacon grease. Big changes in eating habits nowadays for many of us.

YUM - basting eggs in bacon grease! Took me all the way to adulthood before I discovered that ... hmmmmm, this might not be so healthy <DUH> I think saving the bacon grease came from the "Great Depression" and WWII food rations. Who even eats bacon much any longer? I mean, I adore bacon but honestly I get how it many not be wise for me to eat ... like ever. And, I miss BLT's with an egg, triple decker style ... ENOUGH! I do really enjoy reading old cookbooks - they are so bad! Big stack of white bread, stick of butter to slather on your bread and JELLO with every meal! Also, a big desert was standard to complete dinner. Wow, how did we end up as thin as we did while eating like this? I think it was because as kids we played outside constantly or until the street lights came on LOL!

Hang in there on the JC program as it honestly does become more and more easy as time passes and you are rewarded with weight loss. I can't wait to lose 100 pounds - I can't imagine how exciting that must feel. Now, I think of no longer carrying a 50 lbs bag of dog food plus a little 5lbs guy with me 24/7! Then I start dreaming about not having two sacks of dig food to drag along everywhere I go and I tell you the truth, I could eat the "slop" they make the HG's on Big Brother eat which they say tastes something akin to wet cement, yeah, I am so committed to losing weight that I could eat "slop" if need be ... that is how badly I want to lose this weight.

suzanne

I DO enjoy the maple nut oatmeal. I boil a cup of water in the microwave, pour it in the oatmeal container, per the instructions on the container. I THEN scoop it into a plastic container and take it to work. Add a bit of milk and have it for my breakfast. I'm a bit of a night owl and often don't sit down to breakfast...I prepare it and take it with me to work. I even make the breakfast scramble and put it in a plastic container, too. I have to wait an hour after taking my meds so by the time that hour is up...I NEED a 'bite' of something to quell the nausea I sometimes feel.

I 'graze' thru my breakfast meal; and break yogurt, so by the time lunch comes around I'm ready for it.

I really enjoy Quaker Instant Oatmeal in individual envelopes - with blueberries and just a bit of my 1 Cup low fat milk. This was before I began purchasing the JC foods. I guess I will talk with my counselor on Saturday about eating this breakfast since winter has arrived here in the midwest (northern IL)

Carol

I have been reading a book lately with lots of good info and tips about losing weight called "The Skinny on Losing Weight Without Being Hungry" by Dr.Louis Aronne M.D. You may have seen him on David Letterman's show. He says you should start your day with high protein foods rather than those high in carbos. It makes you feel full longer. JC seems to have the opposite philosophy.

I started about 5 weeks ago and week two I stopped buying breakfasts it was I didn't like the breakfasts and they were too expensive. Had no problem with the JCC. I BELIEVE that they are paid on the amount of money you spend so when I hear that one does not want you to take things out that is what I think is the motivation especially if she couldn't explain why you couldn't substitute.
Hope you asked to switch counselors. good luck
pat

Of course they want you to use only their food. There's no profit if you use 'outside' food, but if that works for you a few days a week or even every day, go for it. The reason your SALESPERSON probably could not answer your question about protein was because she didn't know. These people are barely trained in what they do. I find substituting 'outside' food is the only way to keep me sane after months of being on the program.