hi i am about to embark on your diet i have already cut out sugar and alcohol and snack. i have a dairy and wheat intolerance can i have wheat free products and soya milk?

thankyou

By jo.. Posted January 20 2010 at 10:39 AM.

I can't eat yoghurt in any natural state or flavour - what can I do?

By neeta.. Posted September 10 2009 at 1:50 PM.

i am going to follow the kikini diet that was in the womens magazine hoping to lose weight but i like to have a drink at weekends relaxing with my husband after he works hard for the week am i able to drink on this diet and if so what kind of drinks is allowed thankyou helen

By HELEN OWEN.. Posted September 5 2009 at 11:56 AM.

Hi Zoe, myself and my husband are on the diet for the last 9 days and are going really well. i've lost 7 lbs and hubby lost 4 lbs!
Can you please tell me if we can have SPELT bread because i think we both have wheat intolerance? and do you have a recipe we could use its not in either books.............................

By Niamh.. Posted September 1 2009 at 6:20 PM.

I live in Botswana and we dont have postal codes here!!!Please help urgently, want to start the next phase as soon as possible! This is very frustrating not being able to get to the next phase!!! Thanks!

By Kerry Bennett.. Posted August 21 2009 at 2:37 PM.

Hi Zoe

Your diet has been recommended to me by a friend who has tried it and it has worked or her. I am going to the US on holiday but will start the diet as soon as come back in September 09.

What I would like to know is why don't you have any pictures of the people who have lost weight using your system? I always find it encouraging when I see real life examples of people who have used the diet and achived the weight loss. If you have picturs please direct me to the right site so I can see them.

Many thanks Marcia

By Marcia.. Posted July 27 2009 at 4:35 PM.

Found all the comments really useful. I am waiting for my copy of both books to arrive, (tomorrow hopefully), then I can begin!

Being disabled following abdominal surgery, I find it hard to walk, let alone exercise. My only concern is that I am taking a lot if opiates....are these maybe related to my 3 stone gain over 18months & will they affect my progress?

Off to cook the 'last supper' now, before my new life begins!!

Good luck to everyone.

By Sarah Whetstone - James.. Posted July 13 2009 at 7:05 PM.

Hi Donna
Huge congrats on the weight lost - 4 kilos is fab!

There is a Phase 3 for the book, so once you have lost all you want to, there is lots of info to keep you where you want to be. Sadly I can't cut and paste 1/3 of the book here! The good news is that Amazon have 25% off all my books at the moment (our publisher has been named independent publisher of the month, which is so fab for them). So you can get the diet book and the recipe book for £5.99 each - July only!
Hope this helps and keep up the great work
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted July 7 2009 at 6:46 PM.

Hi Zoe,
firstly thanks - into the 2nd phase and all is going well, I've lost nearly 4 kilos. The most exciting thing is I'm less hungry than I was before.
I'd just like to know what the long term plan is; after losing lots of weight on the atkins I put it all back on again because it ended up being quite an antisocial regime (for example I like eating with friends and don't feel comfortable not eating whatever I'm given).
thanks in advance
D

By Donna.. Posted July 7 2009 at 3:16 PM.

looking forward to losing lots weight

By lynne gardam.. Posted July 3 2009 at 10:49 PM.

Hi Jo
So sorry it took so long to get back to you - I've been at an obesity conference in Liverpool - fascinating!

Your 1.2g Natural Live Yoghurt is fine with a carb meal - that's a really low fat content, so you are not mixing there.

Corn pasta is also great - as the basis of a carb meal and instead of wheat pasta.

Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 29 2009 at 8:48 AM.

Hi everyone. Good luck to us all .......and let's get some grease going...................xxx:)

By isabelle.. Posted June 25 2009 at 8:22 PM.

Hi Zoe,

Thanks for the diet- just wanted to ask...The Natural Live Yoghurt I've got is 1.2g Fat (0.7g sat) is this low enough in fat to have with a carb meal?

Also- is corn pasta ok?

Thanks

By Jo.. Posted June 24 2009 at 10:23 AM.

Hi Amanda! Thank you SO much for your lovely comments. Looks like lots of people are losing, whether they have lots or little to lose - Fabulous did say on the cover - "It works, trust us"!
Keep up the great work
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 20 2009 at 8:43 PM.

Hi Nic

If you are absolutely sure that Candida is not a problem then you can have all the things you mention. I am just curious when I see an interest in vinegar AND pickled food, as Candida is the only condition that causes a desire for these foods. If you feel a strong desire for them/close to a craving, I would say don't have them! It really is the case that you have to stay off anything you feel you can't do without.

Corn on the cob (the whole food) is fine. Sweetcorn out of a tin is not. Always eating the food in the closest form possible to how it appears in nature and that is the best way for the body to take in what you're eating.

Phase 2 & potatoes - it's the same principle - you should have the whole potato (skin and all), as this is how it is found in nature. You can have small potatoes keeping their whole skins on, as part of a carb meal. You can also cut up a baked potato and brush a baking tray with olive oil and make 'jacket chips!' - again as part of a carb meal
Hope this helps & good luck
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 20 2009 at 8:38 PM.

Hi Zara
Sadly no to the dried fruit - not in Phase 1 or 2. Dried fruit is processed (changed) real fruit, so it is not even good in Phase 2, when we can go back to real fruit.

It is too high in carbs and Candida loves it and Hypoglycaemia is made much worse by it.
It's just not worth ruining all the good work with the other meals for this as a snack
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 20 2009 at 8:32 PM.

I cannot praise this diet enough! I've done them all but this one is fantastic! I don't have that much weight to lose (around 7lb) so I have to work extra hard to shift it; my weight has also plateau'd since February. I started Zoe's diet on Saturday and followed it to the letter - I got on the scales yesterday (Ladies Day) and I'd lost 2.5lb! I am over-joyed. I have bought all the books and am a quarter of the way through Stop Counting .... BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT. Thanks.

By Amanda Murray.. Posted June 19 2009 at 1:34 PM.

Hi Zoe

I'm on day 3 of phase 1 and just have a few questions. I have taken the candida questionaire and it seems i am not affected by it, so does this mean i can have balsamic vinegar dressing? also, what about pickled beetroot and pickled onions on a salad...is this forbidden? I am also unsure if i can have sweetcorn?

Secondly, in phase 2, is it only baked potatoes that i can have? or can i have boiled potatoes too?

I will definetly be sticking this diet out for a few weeks. Thanks.

By Nic.. Posted June 17 2009 at 1:46 PM.

Hi
I have started diet plan for 3 days. everythings going well. i have a question.
can i eat dried fruit as snack. If yes, how much and which one the best?
with many thanks.
Zari London

By zari.. Posted June 17 2009 at 1:32 PM.

Hi Zoe!

I did the diet for only 4 days last week and lost 6lbs which I am absolutely delighted with. More to the point, I'm enjoying the diet and the food so am sticking to Phase 2 this week.

I have a couple of questions I can't seem to find the answers to on your website or here:

Can you have things like Ryvita, Rye Bread, homemade or fresh spelt/rye bread?

Can we now have caffeinated tea and coffee? I only have 1 cup of each a day - I'm not missing the tea but do miss a 'proper' coffee - not for the hit but the taste - I finally believe my husband that decaf is just not the same!

Lastly, I believe I have a dairy intolerance - diagnosed by a nutritionist some years ago. Will introducing dairy affect my weight loss and although my symptoms have subsided over the years, should I still avoid dairy?

Many thanks in advance for your reply and thanks so much for a fantastic diet - I have recommended you several times already!

Laura

By Laura.. Posted June 16 2009 at 11:10 PM.

Hi Louise
A carb is the group of food that come from the ground and trees e.g. fruits, potatoes, rice, wheat etc. Vegetables are also carbs but most are so low in carb that you can eat them with any meal (and they are so healthy.)
Hence wheat is just one carb. So many people I come across have wheat intolerance - so, they are best off avoiding wheat but they don't have to avoid all carbs. Brown rice, baked potatoes, porridge oats are generally OK for most people.

Hope this helps and hope a book arrives soon! We are almost out of stock and are re-printing at the moment!
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 16 2009 at 8:52 PM.

hello
im on a diet
but im a really fussy eater like i dont like veg but love fruit could anyone email me on some good diets ?
i need to loose wieght in 2 months only droping a dress size im a size 12 i want to be a size 10


thank you
becky

By becky rooke.. Posted June 16 2009 at 7:49 PM.

Dear Zoe,

Thanks for all your responses they have been helpful,will get the book soon !
Can you tell me what is the difference between a Carb and Wheat ? If Im avoiding wheat should I avoid Carbs aswell ?

Thanks
Louise

By louise.. Posted June 16 2009 at 11:31 AM.

Dear Zoe,
Hi Louise - sausages are usually processed - try the local butcher and you may be able to get some close to 100% meat, with just other animal bits binding them together. The shop bought ones are the ones likely to have wheat, sugar and other unnecessary things added. If you can find some really good sausages - have them as part of a fat meal.

On cereal bars, the only ones I have found that are sugar, wheat and dairy free are Gillian McKeith's. She has done loads, but the original ones or the hemp seed ones are probably the best. Check out the ingredients on the boxes of some standard supermarket/branded cereal bars and you will be horrified at the number of ingredients in them - many from the wheat/sugar family and some even have hydrogentated fats in them.
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe
p.s. the best snack, when you get to your natural weight, is 85% cocoa dark chocolate. It may take a while to get used to, but you'll never look back!

I

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 15 2009 at 5:17 PM.

Hi Louise,
You don't have to do Phase 1 again, but you're probably still 'addicted' to a couple of the main intolerances (sugar, wheat), so Phase 1 will continue to help.
Try adding dairy only into Phase 1 'allowed' foods. This lets you have milk and cheese back in the diet and it increases options a great deal (porridge and skimmed milk for breakfast; large cheese; cauliflower cheese etc). Try staying off wheat for a while longer (try rice pasta instead of normal pasta) and stay off fruit if you think Candida may be a problem (theharcombediet web site has a questionnaire under conditions/Candida to help you assess this)
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 15 2009 at 5:11 PM.

Hi Zara - huge congratulations on your fab weight loss!
You can get Phase 2 either by putting your details in at the top of this page and then Fabulous takes you through to the 7 day plan. Or, go on theharcombediet web site and put your email in and it takes you to a members' page where you can get Phase 2 downloads for free. You can try and get hold of a copy of the book, but we think we may have sold out!!
We're rushing through a re-print, but we hit the Amazon top 20 bestseller list today. Best day of my life!
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 15 2009 at 5:05 PM.

Dear Zoe,

Im guessing saucages are classed as processed foods ? where do you stand with the eat natural health bars ( for future reference)
and are there any healthy cereal bars you can recommend for a snack ? After the weight loss period ofcourse.
Thanks
Louise

By louise.. Posted June 15 2009 at 4:18 PM.

Hi Zoe,

Did not manage to stick to the diet 100% as I felt so spaced out at work and people were noticing. I had some sweetners in tea and some caffeine though only one or two, also the odd Carb but mainly no wheat. Do I have to start phase 1 again ?
(Did manage to lose 4lbs)or can I go on to next one ?

Thanks
Louise

By louise.. Posted June 15 2009 at 2:22 PM.

Hi Zoe,

I tried to do phase one last week but fell down on a couple of things , mainly because I felt so bad at work and couldnt concentrate. Few times had a sugar substitute in drinks, and a tiny amount of carb/wheat and milk. I managed to lose 4lbs. Would I have to do phase 1 this week again but stricter or can i just go on to phase 2 ? not sure if I would of killed of any problems . Thanks
Louise

By louise.. Posted June 15 2009 at 1:53 PM.

hi. i done the diet for a wk (i haven't got phase 2?!)
just weighed myself......lost 8lb!!!! GO ME!!!!
THANK YOU xxxxx

By zara.. Posted June 15 2009 at 10:16 AM.

Hi Sharon - I'll wish you luck! Don't think you'll need it though!
If you have wheat intolerance (and I have yet to work with a client that doesn't) you should have a fantastic weight loss - wheat intolerance particularly can cause bad water retention and you could find rings fitting better and puffy face and thighs disappearing and all sorts.
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 15 2009 at 8:20 AM.

Hi Trishie - Low fat natural yoghurt is OK, but the idea of getting the live/bio natural yoghurt is that it repopulates the digestive system with good bacteria, which kill off Candida. If you just have natural yoghurt, you are not getting the health benefit.
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 15 2009 at 8:18 AM.

Hi Sam - I did reply to this on Sat am but I think we've overloaded the Fabulous web site with comments!
I'll try again - the first 5 days are completely alcohol free. In Phase 2, feel free to add a glass of red wine with the evening meal (ideally not every night). It's a small cheat but you'll get away with it if you stick to the rest of the advice.
Do swap around meals and day plans as you like. On theharcombediet web site - if you stick in your email address it takes you to a members' page (all free) where you can get downloads of Phase 1 and 2 - for what I call planners and flexis. Planners want to have the menus set out and flexis just want to know what they can and can't have and then they set their own meals.
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 15 2009 at 8:16 AM.

Hi, I am one of the worst people for sticking to a diet, i love my chocolate and sweet things in the evening - but I have been doing this diet for 5 days and i have lost 6lbs!!! I am so pleased and can't wait to see what phase 2 has in store.
thanks
James

By James Scott.. Posted June 14 2009 at 9:01 PM.

i bought low fat natural yoghurt as i couldn't find live natural yoghurt is that ok?

By trishie.. Posted June 14 2009 at 6:32 PM.

Saw the diet last week and decided to try it, didnt manage to start last week so am going for it tomorrow, suspect i have a wheat intolerance anyway so am sure it will help me lose weight, i already have my lunch made for tomorrow and a jug of peppermint tea in the fridge - wish me luck

By sharon.. Posted June 14 2009 at 4:15 PM.

Just read last weeks fabulous magazine & the diet looks so good can't wait to start, thought the 2nd part was out this week, but no joy so l'm logged on for part two. Don't know if l can do the live yogurt thing but if needs must, it's gotta be done. I'm need a big kick start.
Thanks

By SHARON OTWAY.. Posted June 14 2009 at 3:36 PM.

Hi Lucy
Well done on the weight loss!
I hope I've caught you in time - I wouldn't advise going back to wheat this weekend, but you can go back to dairy. So, have milk in decaf tea if you want and add lots of cheese to the salad to have a good 'fat' meal (as I call them). You can have skimmed milk on porridge etc - adding dairy back (unless you have madly craved it before) will be fine.

Wheat is a whole different ball game. It is the most common food intolerance in the UK and I have yet to work with an overweight client who does not have a problem with wheat. Have rice pasta instead of normal wheat pasta (you can get this in the gluten free section of supermarkets) and keep up the brown rice, as the basis of your 'carb' meals.

Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 13 2009 at 6:37 AM.

I've been trying to shift weight I put on at Uni for months, trying every other diet which comes my way but this is the 1st diet which has really worked for me and I have an intolerance to dairy so cutting that out has really helped too. I feel much more active and balanced and haven't craved sweet things like I usually do, it truly is fabulous! xx

By Kirsty.. Posted June 13 2009 at 11:19 AM.

Wow! In 5 days I lost 4 lbs and to be honest I did a bit of cheating on days 4 and 5 (wine!!!). I`m really impressed and the headaches have really subsided now. Starting phase 2 today and more determined not to cheat with the wine!

By jo.. Posted June 13 2009 at 11:08 AM.

i have just finished the 5 days and amazilly have lost 5lbs.
It was tough at times,the main thing i was craving was a cup of tea,so on wed gave in and bought soya milk just for 2 cups of tea a day.
the diet became so much easier after that,i left out all the fish as i dont eat it.
bit sick of all the salad have ate,but has been well worth it.
AM going to start again monday,is it ok to eat dairy bread pasta etc over the weekend,or will it spoil all the hard work.

By lucy nielsen.. Posted June 12 2009 at 10:21 PM.

Hi , on day 5 today have lost 4 pounds so far , really excited ,missing the wine or a bacardi , as the weekend approaches , i will find that the most hardest ,

By Julie.. Posted June 12 2009 at 4:44 PM.

am i allowed to drink alcohol within the first phase? this is my first day, and so far ive done brilliantly. sweet things and dairy is going to be my hard bit. but ive started on day 3, is it allowed to mix and match the days around, or use the same day again? thanks x

By SamH.. Posted June 12 2009 at 4:41 PM.

Loving the diet! Have had ME for 9 years and was advised a year ago to try eating far more naturally but struggled with it until I saw this diet-as well as losing weight I am feeling a lot better in myself-can't wait til I can get a cup of tea again though!

By Diane Murphy.. Posted June 12 2009 at 3:01 PM.

Hi Johanne - good to hear you're feeling great.
There is a second Phase on the Fabulous web site - you sign up for the next phase (free) and it takes you through to a 7 day plan. You also can repeat Phase 1 - it's very healthy and will continue to help you lose weight.
Or - you can go on theharcombediet web site and put your email in on there and it will take you to a members' club page where you can get free download sheets for Phase 1 and 2 of the diet.
Hope all this helps!
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 12 2009 at 8:53 AM.

Hi, feeling great at the end of day 4 just had a constant head ache which looking at the other coments I see I'm not the only one. Feeling a little disapointed the next phase has not arrived yet, should I continue and start this 5 day plan over again untill it arrives?

By johanne.. Posted June 11 2009 at 9:29 PM.

Hi Nadine - sorry - no sweet potatoes during the first five days. They are too high in carb for both Candida and Hypoglycaemia.
I like the short questions!
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 11 2009 at 5:21 PM.

Can you eat sweet potatoe during the first five days?

By Nadine .. Posted June 11 2009 at 12:28 PM.

I'm glad to see some other people have struggled with the live natural yoghurt - after finally finding the right product, it's awful awful stuff!! There are some that say low fat, pro biotic, natural etc, but are flavoured. Is it okay to have these? or will they have too many sugars, additives etc? I hope i can find a tastier alternative as the puffed rice things - fab!!
Good luck everybody. x

By Sam.. Posted June 11 2009 at 9:24 AM.

I have never seriously tried to diet before! But when I stopped smoking I put on a stone in weight which I have been half heartedly trying to shift for about 12 months!
I liked the look of this plan as it is easy to follow and has some great recipes!
I'm on day 3 and have lost 2lbs I'm so excited I had to share that with everyone!
Keep up the good work everyone..we are all going to be even more gorgeous in time for the summer hols. x

By Angie.. Posted June 10 2009 at 10:39 PM.

Hi Zara - well done for sticking with the sugar withdrawal symptoms. Doesn't it make you realise how powerful this substance is?! You will get to the point that cherry tomatoes taste as sweet as you can imagine - you just need to re-educate the taste buds.
You'll be back on cheese soon - Phase 2 reintroduces dairy products.
There's no catch with the diet! The rationale behind it is:
1) it is the perfect diet to zap the 3 conditions that cause food cravings (Candida, Food Intolerance & Hypoglycaemia). This will give quick weight loss, as Candida and Food Intolerance cause bad water retention - this water need not come back if you carry on sorting out the conditions.
2) you don't limit quantities, so you don't get hungry and give up and you don't slow your metabolism so that you need less and less food to lose weight (where most calorie counters get to).
3) you get cravings under control, so you can avoid sugar and processed foods and stuff that you are so much better off without.
You start working with your body and giving it good, regular meals and it stops storing food and works back with you. It's just a sensible way to nourish yourself and feel healthy and it gets you in a virtuous circle!
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 10 2009 at 8:06 PM.

Hi Fiona - I'm not surprised you've lost 5lbs already - the record for the 5 days is 14lbs! We were cautious with the 'expected weight loss' in the article so that readers would not be disappointed!

I love the water/fat debate - the average human is 50-60% water anyway, so you will continue to lose water and fat along the way. All the body knows is that it can get into those jeans. One of the reasons for the extra big weight loss with this diet is that Candida and Food Intolerance cause bad water retention, so that will mean clothes fitting better very quickly, puffy face and thighs gone etc. All good stuff!

On holiday - you will struggle to get good carbs, so most of your meals will be meat/fish/eggs/salads/vegetables (not potatoes) - all with no carbs. So steak and salad, fish platter, omelettes, local cheese and aubergine specialities etc. You may be able to get a good carb breakfast - e.g. a fruit platter at the hotel with low fat yoghurt (if avbl). You can then 'cheat' a bit with drink or anything you can't get at home. The book has the top 10 tips for cheating and not putting on weight.
Have a fab hols - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 10 2009 at 8:33 AM.

iv lost 4 lb since monday had a bit of a headace so just had alittle bar of chocolate . i feel its easy enouhj to stick to.

By caz.. Posted June 10 2009 at 6:52 PM.

Hi. day 3 is nearly over!!
Wow this is hard! mainly because im a sugar head!
could really do with something sweet,but im not going to give in now! im loving boiled egg,the yolk reminds me of cheese!
had a headache all day also last night i had a hallucination! a man/monster looking think was at the side of my bed! i woke up screaming!! iv never had a hallucination so im thinking its side affects or a ghost lol
hope everyone is doing well!
xxxx
P.S iv gone down a notch on my belt! this diet works....what the catch!?!?!

By zara.. Posted June 10 2009 at 6:08 PM.

Wow Im on day 3 and already lost 5 lb!! Im sure its mainly water but still I really reccommend this. I have 10 days left until I go on holiday :) Just wondering is there a phase 3 which I can use on holiday? as I dont want to be too restrictive but I dont want to quit. Thanks!

By Fiona .. Posted June 10 2009 at 7:42 AM.

Hi James

I'm sure all Fabulous readers would love to see you in a bikini! Even in trunks, I'm sure your entry would be most welcome.
Good luck with the diet!
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 9 2009 at 8:34 PM.

Hi Jenny!
I've never seen that reaction before! I'm so sorry you've had that experience. Rice cereal should taste like sugar puffs, but without the sugar. Try a higher fat live yoghurt - the low fat stuff can be a bit sour. If you really don't take to it - swap in another breakfast or meal that you do like the look of.

Good choice on the main meals - chicken salad is great and just the chicken tikka tonight will be great too. You are right to avoid the white rice, nan bread and all the other white carbs that are not going to help you lose weight.
Good luck with the rest of the meals!
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 9 2009 at 7:05 PM.

OMG think i must have got the wrong cereal it was like paper and the live yoghurt is now in the bin!!! never tasted anything so bad EVER! i had to put some strawberries in my mouth after to get rid of the vile taste...... no one gets fat eating strawberries!
Lunch, i got a last minute invite to meet a friend so had chicken salad but tonight its the family meal, INDIAN my all time favorite, going to just have chicken tikka main!! that is a big sacrifice usually i have a balti, rice, nan and bombay potatoes!!!!

By jenny jackson.. Posted June 9 2009 at 6:18 PM.

Well... I'm all stocked up - so here goes... I have piled on the weight despite eating well - off to see if it is anything to do with PCOS next week but I am hoping that this will give me the boost, having CFS and doing waking nights doesn't help, but I refuse to see this as an excuse anymore!!! Beautiful size 14/16 wedding dress here I come!!!

By Chelle.. Posted June 9 2009 at 5:15 PM.

Hi Louise
In Phase 1 (the first 5 days), ideally don't have Soya Milk, as we're trying to get you away from things that you've eaten regularly. It's not an absolute 'no', however. And, particularly for vegetarians, it can be useful to get some more food options.

In Phase 2 - yes you can. Soya milk is naturally low fat (it is less than 2% fat, which is only slightly higher than skimmed cow's milk). Check the fat content on your particular product. If for some strange reason your version is a more concentrated version of soya milk, it may be higher than c.2% in fat. If this is the case, try and find a lower fat version. If it's no more than 2-3% fat, it's absolutely fine with pure porridge oats or brown rice cereal - perfect carb breakfasts!

Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 9 2009 at 4:47 PM.

Hi Sue
The good news about this diet is that you don't need to exercise! Exercise is for diets that rely on the calorie theory (i.e. you need to eat less and do more to lose weight). I believe that you need to eat better and stop starving your body, so that it stops fighting you (slowing your metabolism etc) and starts losing weight.
Exercise is a great thing to do - don't get me wrong. It makes you feel better, it can tone your body, it relaxes you - but I don't believe that it is going to solve any weight problems. Not least, for the simple reason that we can eat in 45 seconds what can take 45 mins to burn off. It is WAY more important not to eat junk in the first place.
Good luck with the deadline!
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 9 2009 at 4:44 PM.

Dear Zoe,

Is it ok to have Soya Milk in phase one ?

By Louise.. Posted June 9 2009 at 2:47 PM.

Hi, this looks to be a good simple diet! I am going to give it my best shot, see how much i can lose for my birthday, which is on the end date 12 July,(I took that as a good omen) - any one in the fareham / Southampton area who is trying this & would like to keep in touch please do, i may need a bit of support!

Zoe, due to arthritis the only bit of exercise i really get is walking around shops or dancing to music at home....is exercise absolutely required, I may start swimming again though.

By Sue.. Posted June 9 2009 at 11:36 AM.

I did Slimming World a number of years ago and although it is based on different principles you can still eat as much as you like on it. It really worked for me but there are no classes here now which is why your diet really jumped out at me this time. Started this morning....
I already drink decaf coffee for health reasons, and with sweetner, not sugar, so I see no problems for me there. My only issue will be dropping the dairy side but I am determined to give it a bash.
Fingers crossed I am successful!

By Kirsty.. Posted June 9 2009 at 11:33 AM.

Hi Louise,
The reason we go for live yoghurt is that it has the good gut bacteria that kill off the Candida. You should be able to find live natural yoghurt in any reasonable supermarket. Another word to look for is pro-biotic - but make sure this is just real yoghurt with pro-biotic goodness. Some pro-biotic yoghurt is branded (I won't mention any names!) and it also has sweeteners and sometimes sugar and other stuff that we don't need.
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe
Health food shops are a good last resort, but you shouldn't have to go to this much trouble

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 9 2009 at 12:16 PM.

Are you able to hae any diet drinks, ie caffeine free diet coke, squash etc

By Michelle.. Posted June 9 2009 at 9:40 AM.

Hello,
I was triying to find the live natural youghurt but only found natural low fat ( contains small amount of milk) . Would that be okay or do I look for the live youghurt ?

Many Thanks
Louise

By lOUISE.. Posted June 9 2009 at 10:44 AM.

Stared today and i think it is realy good and going to give it ago. thank you x lol x

By Karen .. Posted June 8 2009 at 9:41 PM.

Hi Marie - yes - you can swap whole day plans and/or you can swap breakfasts and any other meals, as you like.
You can drink green tea (so long as it's caffeine free).
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe Harcombe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 8 2009 at 9:02 PM.

Hi Zara - I love you comment! I've researched overweight, overeating and weight loss for 20 years and the whole idea behind the diet is that it stops food cravings, by stopping the 3 conditions that cause food cravings (Candida, Food Intolerance and Hypoglycaemia) (Most people don't even know about these conditions, they think they are weak willed and they are not!).
You will need to come off sugar and dairy (and wheat) for 5 days and food takes about 3-4 days to pass through your body and you will find cravings really reduce. You may get sugar or caffeine withdrawal headaches, so keep your usual painkiller to hand! That will be a sure sign that you've been an addict!
Good luck
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 8 2009 at 9:11 PM.

Hi all lovely people in Ireland
I'm sure "Fabulous" doesn't want you to miss out. If you go on theharcombediet web site and enter your email address there, it will take you to some free downloads for the second stage. I call them Phase 2 for planners (people who want to know what to have Mon breakfast and Wed lunch etc) and Phase 2 for flexis (these people just want a list of things to eat and things not to eat and off they go).
Whichever you are, hope this helps!
Best wishes - Zoe Harcombe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 8 2009 at 9:06 PM.

Hi Dianne
This is a tricky one, as your body works best with you when you give it 3 regular meals a day (then it doesn't feel any need to store food).
You need to come up with your own 3 meal a day pattern that works for you (even if it's oddly timed because of your shifts).
Alcohol is not allowed in the first 5 days, but, in Phase 2, you can have a glass of red wine with the evening meal on occasions. The book goes into more detail about how to have 'cheats'
Hope this helps
Best wishes - Zoe

By Zoe Harcombe.. Posted June 8 2009 at 9:14 PM.

this looks a bit to easy to be true. but here goes, i'll give it my best. supermarket tom so will get started on wednesday. fingers crossed x

By jennifermcneish.. Posted June 8 2009 at 8:16 PM.

have started today and I am ready for my tea my belly is rumbling!!!!went to supermarket with list this morning so I am all stocked up. Day 2 going to be hard family meal........

By Jenny Jackson.. Posted June 8 2009 at 6:31 PM.

I work waking night shifts which requires me to sleep during the day any advise as to how to make this plan work I dont like eating at night, and also are you aloud any alcohol.

By Dianne Austin.. Posted June 8 2009 at 2:09 PM.

This diet doesnt look too tricky so hope it will help me loose even half the full stone I would love to shed for the summer!!

By tracy gwynn.. Posted June 8 2009 at 2:07 PM.

Hi, I'm going to give this my best shot! only read the mag this morning - after my coffee with milk and 2!! ops!
not sure how I'm going to do without sugar and dairy!
i didn't have day 1 for breakfast as i don't like bacon,so i had day 3's option and made a omelette.I'm going to have day 3 for lunch and dinner too.i may not be going in order but I'm eating better that yesterday and everyday before that!!
good luck everyone
xxxx

By zara.. Posted June 8 2009 at 12:57 PM.

Hi I live in ireland, and there are no postcodes so i cant register for the next stage yet.

By niamh.. Posted June 8 2009 at 12:38 PM.

going to start tommorow as wasnt prepared for today

By jen.. Posted June 8 2009 at 12:36 PM.

I have been inspired by the plan so have started the plan today!! not a big bacon fan so eggs on their own were interesting!!! I have recently completed treatment for an eating disorder and want to lose a bit of the weight expectedly put on but in a healthy way that leads you onto re-introducing carbs and dairy - a balanced diet after all is all w need!! xx

By clare henson.. Posted June 8 2009 at 11:50 AM.

can i eat fruit on this diet

By amanda farnden.. Posted June 8 2009 at 11:06 AM.

This diet looks amazing! I've followed many over the years and this doesn't look like I'm going to starve! Can't wait to start! Good luck everyone xx

By Zoe Ellis.. Posted June 8 2009 at 11:04 AM.

god help me but i want to lose a stone, so here goes. iv,e just started day one today and iv,e had my bacon an eggs, salmon for dinner. can you swap your day plans and can you drink green tea x

By marie.. Posted June 8 2009 at 10:56 AM.

Hi,

My business partner and i have been so inspired by your diet! We are both going to follow the plan and keep you updates on our progress... im a guy though so hope i can still enter?!

James Ellis

By James Ellis.. Posted June 8 2009 at 9:26 AM.

I have tried so many different diets I am convinced that my body doesn't want to diet!! So I will give this one a go and see how I get on, here goes fingers crossed and everything else too. X

By sharon s.. Posted June 8 2009 at 9:04 AM.

new me starts here !

By sharon strike.. Posted June 7 2009 at 11:46 PM.

Hi
I ive in Ireland and we don't have postcodeS? What can I do to get the next phase?
Regards
COlette Messinger

By COlette.. Posted June 7 2009 at 10:03 PM.

This diet looks very tasty & fulfilling xx Can't wait to start

By Liza Richardson.. Posted June 7 2009 at 8:36 PM.