Those working with Erik...

[Blondie03]

What all spices, flavorings, etc. are allowed and do you use?? Do any of you use sf gum, DaVinci flavorings, diet drinks, Capella flavorings, Walden Farms products, etc???

[Noel Clark]

spices are ok.
You need to be careful with the other items because they do contain carbs.

Diet drinks...not a big deal...just make sure you get in your water.

[soontobefit]

Diet pepsi, Diet Dr. Pepper....lots of water! Salsa, sea salt...

[Meechel]

Diet drinks are a staple with me :p I do use Mrs. Dash seasoning and I use sea salt.

I did recently get some chili paste with garlic I think to put on my chicken....it is 5 calories for one tbsp and I never use that much.

Water is my weakness but I try and get in as much as I can and continue to work on that.

[Amy]

What all spices, flavorings, etc. are allowed and do you use?? Do any of you use sf gum, DaVinci flavorings, diet drinks, Capella flavorings, Walden Farms products, etc???

Spices I use a lot of the Mccormick seasoning. I also like some of the Mrs. Dash on my veggies. Ilove sea salt and pepper of course. Be careful of marinades. One of my favorites that I use to love (Yoshida's) had too much sugar. All those "little" things will add up.

SF Gum I chew gum, but I also don't chew a pack a day or even close to it.

Diet soda I drink diet soda and crystal light but I make sure I drink my water first. I don't want my soda to replace my water.

[Holly]

I use the Montreal Chicken spice on the chicken and brown rice. I chew gum.

[melanie]

I really enjoy spices, especially on my chicken. Any time I make a new batch of chicken I use different spices, curry, tumeric, cajun, garlic and italian seasoning. I also use mustard with some things. I try to stay away from anything else that is saucy.

[Blondell]

I'm not currently working w/ Erik, but when I do, I use almost ALL spices. Be careful w/ the amount of some that you use, sugar is many times added to them. But, even then, I'd imagine you'd have to use a crapload of them to have any kind of great impact. :lol:

SF gum, sodas and tea were my saving graces. I made sure to get my water in, but after that, the gum, sodas and teas were fair game. :hehe: As I got closer to my goal, I began to keep track of how much of these items I was using. I've never notice monitoring them make a huge difference for me until that point. :shrug:

[Blondie03]

Any of you use the Davinci syrups??

[Inatic]

Any of you use the Davinci syrups??

i've used them but i havent found one i like.

[Noel Clark]

My Husband likes the vanilla one in his oats.

[Inatic]

My Husband likes the vanilla one in his oats.

<ducts for cover>

:cardio:

Its too sweet. lol

I eat my oats plain

[Noel Clark]

<ducts for cover>

:cardio:

Its too sweet. lol

I eat my oats plain

:dope:

:rolleyes:

:lol:

[Meechel]

<ducts for cover>

:cardio:

Its too sweet. lol

I eat my oats plain

:ruloco: :lol3: I forgot my splenda yesterday morning but it was my first oats in 21 days so I didn't care!

You can believe I didn't forget today :wink:

[longing2blean]

I use cinnamon, a spice blend of sea salt, garlic powder and pepper mix, that I concocted, pic de gallo,.....I also use Paul Newman lowfat sesame Ginger Dressing (35cal per 2 TB) a couple of times per week(:chairshot:), lemon....I was using salad dressing spray and 2 TB of skim milk in my coffee every am, but I eliminated those this week. I chew a couple fo peices of gum when I lift, and I do drink Diet Coke

[Lyn]

My Husband likes the vanilla one in his oats.

I like that as well. :yum:

[Lyn]

<ducts for cover>

:cardio:

Its too sweet. lol

I eat my oats plain

:sad: I used Splenda, cinnamon and syrup in mine and if I have some fruit, peaches too. :yum:

[Mols]

My food has lots of cinnamon, mrs. dash for chicken, fresh squeezed lemon on almost everything savory, garlic powder, fresh ground black pepper, no syrups, an occasional diet pop, and stevia drops/sweet leaf powder!

[pixie]

My food has lots of cinnamon, mrs. dash for chicken, fresh squeezed lemon on almost everything savory, garlic powder, fresh ground black pepper, no syrups, an occasional diet pop, and stevia drops/sweet leaf powder!

What's sweet leaf powder? I've never heard of it?

I use cinnamon (esp in oatmeal & yogurt), garlic, lemons, limes, chili powder, more crystal light than I probably should, but water is my weak point so I figure crystal light is better than coming up two liters short each day. I also enjoy herbal teas, some with splenda and some of the real fruity ones (blueberry, peach) without.

[gymgurl]

Any of you use the Davinci syrups??

I tend to like the fruit flavored ones better. I have Peach (super good!), pineapple (good, but sweet, excellent if you like pineapple), and raspberry.

I also like the Vanilla, French Vanilla I didn't find as good though. Wasn't a big fan of caramel, german chocolate, or hazelnut.

On the flip side, the Vanilla and Cinnamon Dolce are soooo good from Starbucks....mmmm. :love:

[Noel Clark]

I tend to like the fruit flavored ones better. I have Peach (super good!), pineapple (good, but sweet, excellent if you like pineapple), and raspberry.

I also like the Vanilla, French Vanilla I didn't find as good though. Wasn't a big fan of caramel, german chocolate, or hazelnut.

On the flip side, the Vanilla and Cinnamon Dolce are soooo good from Starbucks....mmmm. :love:
Are those all sugar free?

[Mols]

What's sweet leaf powder? I've never heard of it?

I use cinnamon (esp in oatmeal & yogurt), garlic, lemons, limes, chili powder, more crystal light than I probably should, but water is my weak point so I figure crystal light is better than coming up two liters short each day. I also enjoy herbal teas, some with splenda and some of the real fruity ones (blueberry, peach) without.

sweet leaf powder is a sweetener made of stevia, comes in packets just like splenda or equal. Its a lot stronger than the latter, so one little packet lasts me a couple days! It also has inulin fiber in it, and its totally natural. I love it!

[Lyn]

Are those all sugar free?

Yeah. Here's a list of all the sugar free flavors.

http://www.davincigourmet.com/products/sugar_free_flavored_syrups/#allFlavors

[gymgurl]

Are those all sugar free?

Yup, you just have to ask at Starbucks for sugar-free. They have less to choose from but those two flavors are there... and they are a bit cheaper than Da Vinci's and more ml per bottle.

[fitmonkey]

I use DaVinci's in some of my chicken marinades, and in coffee.
I used SF gum, but when I was getting quite lean I tried to not chew as much and monitor these things. God knows I needed it with all the garlic I used!
I was heavy on the Splenda at first but the more I got use to eating clean, the less I needed artificial sweeteners. I learned I liked the natural flavors of foods.
I am a hot sauce (Frank's mmmmmm) fanatic!

[Blondie03]

Thanks for replies...any suggestions on how to battle cravings?

[Inatic]

Thanks for replies...any suggestions on how to battle cravings?

Get busy doing something.
lots of water.
tea for some reason works.

if all else fails and you have to eat something, grab fibrous veggies or make a salad to tied you threw your next meal..

[Noel Clark]

Get busy doing something.
lots of water.
tea for some reason works.

if all else fails and you have to eat something, grab fibrous veggies or make a salad to tied you threw your next meal..

:yeahthat:

I also get the calorie free drink stuff and mix it with water and freeze it into popsicles. :yum:

[Blondie03]

:yeahthat:

I also get the calorie free drink stuff and mix it with water and freeze it into popsicles. :yum:


Great idea!

[Anca]

:yeahthat:

I also get the calorie free drink stuff and mix it with water and freeze it into popsicles. :yum:

How about those SF popsicles that have 20 cal?
Or sf jello cups at 10 cal?
What do you think should be the 'max' when eating this stuff? 30 cal? 50 cal? During a diet I mean. I'm bulking and sometimes I eat 6 sf jello cups in one sitting! :yum:

[Inatic]

How about those SF popsicles that have 20 cal?
Or sf jello cups at 10 cal?
What do you think should be the 'max' when eating this stuff? 30 cal? 50 cal? During a diet I mean. I'm bulking and sometimes I eat 6 sf jello cups in one sitting! :yum:

that would be considered eating off plan.. but way better than a bag of cookies.

[Anca]

that would be considered eating off plan.. but way better than a bag of cookies.

Bummer! :mad:

[jackieleigh]

I used to work with Erik, and when I did I used Davinci's everyday probably. I used it it my coffee and in my oats, and sometimes in my cottage cheese.

I used some Walden Farm products, but very little as I dont really like it.

I used all the normal spices and herbs, lots of cinnamon.

I use Stevia more than splenda, but did use some splenda.

I drank diet soda, but only one a day at most. I did use some of the crystal lite mix once in a while

Chewed SF gum and SF mints, but not a ton either, only when I needed it.

I also used butter flavor cooking spray for my veggies a lot.

[Blondie03]

I used to work with Erik, and when I did I used Davinci's everyday probably. I used it it my coffee and in my oats, and sometimes in my cottage cheese.

I used some Walden Farm products, but very little as I dont really like it.

I used all the normal spices and herbs, lots of cinnamon.

I use Stevia more than splenda, but did use some splenda.

I drank diet soda, but only one a day at most. I did use some of the crystal lite mix once in a while

Chewed SF gum and SF mints, but not a ton either, only when I needed it.

I also used butter flavor cooking spray for my veggies a lot.

Thanks for your reply! Appreciate it! You didn't think using any of those products hindered your results at all?

[Blondie03]

I have found that allowing one to two diet sodas a day or crystal light helps to curb cravings...

[CCMAK5]

I have found that allowing one to two diet sodas a day or crystal light helps to curb cravings...

:ditto:

Diet Mt. Dew is sometimes all I look forward to!!!:love:

[Noel Clark]

:ditto:

Diet Mt. Dew is sometimes all I look forward to!!!:love:

:yum: