I get many emails from fellow 17 Day Dieters about the diet and questions about the food lists, plateaus and much more. I thought it might be beneficial if I post some of the more common questions I get:
Q. How much water am I supposed to drink on the 17 Day Diet?
A. Ideally, you want to drink about 8 8-ounce glasses of water per day. This is in addition to your hot lemon water and green tea throughout the day.
Q. I’ve been stuck in a weight loss plateau for days. What should I do?
A. Plateaus are a normal part of dieting. The basis for Cycle 2 is to help confuse your body by alternating between high caloric days and low caloric days. When I personally experience a plateau that lasts for more than 3 days, I will have a day where I eat anything I want (within moderation). The following day I get right back on track. Almost always, this will work. This particular course of action is not part of the recommended 17 Day Diet, but it is something I’ve done with much success. It’s basically having a Cycle 2 alternate day with a few added foods of my choosing.
Q. Do I really have to have two probiotic servings per day?
A. Having two probiotic servings per day really does make such a huge difference in your digestion. Having a lot of protein in Cycle 1 can sometimes be difficult to digest. Probiotic such as yogurt definitely help keep things flowing and healthy!
Q. I’m scared to lose weight. Is that wrong?
A. I’m sure many of us are scared to peel away the layers and let the true self shine through. Instead of wondering if it’s right or wrong…embrace it!
Q. When I’m done with Cycle 1 or 2 and I still need to lose weight do I start back at Cycle 1?
A. Dr. Moreno explains in his book that he prefers you go through Cycle 3 before going back to a previous cycle to lose additional weight. Once you’ve gone through Cycle 3, you have the choice to go back to either Cycle 1 or Cycle 2.
Have questions about the 17 Day Diet? Post them here!
I’ve been loving the 17 Day Diet since 2011. I love sharing my favorite healthy recipes and meal plans to keep you motivated and on the right path to success!
When I’m not hanging out here, I enjoy quick trips to the Oregon Coast, designing my jewelry line and watching Outlander!
Are you new to the 17 Day Diet? Check out my latest book, Fast Track Your Weight Loss With The 17 Day Diet on Amazon! (aff link)
I have completed Cylce 1 and the majority of Cycle 2. I lost 4 pounds the first week and nothing since. I took the suggestion to eat what I wanted to for a day gained back the 4 pounds I had lost. I literally had a handful of french fries with a breaded piece of chicken breast.(so its’ not like I pigged out on junk food) I work out about 6 days a week. I alternate between Turbo Fire workouts and P90X. I am not losing weight and am becoming very frustrated and depressed and don’t know what else I can do for weight loss.
Are you losing inches, perhaps? Maybe with all the working out you are gaining muscle (which weighs more then fat). Do you know that you should NOT be engaging in high intensity workouts during Cycle 1– just 17 minutes of low intense workout like walking. Something to think about.
Hi
If i arrive in cycle 4, in the book it sais you should stay on cycle 1 in the week and then at the weekends enjoy whatever you want. then in another section of the book it sais that you can choose any cycle for the week on cycle 4.
So correct me if i am wrong, but does that mean i could be on cycle 3 in the week, then have my weekend off and not gain any weight? That sounds almost impossible to me, but it would be very nice! :)
Thanks
The book tells us to choose any cycle during the week, and starting with Friday’s dinner through Sunday’s dinner, enjoy your favorite foods in moderation throughout the weekend. Plan to have up to three meals during your weekend that you normally would not eat during your controlled weekdays. The idea here is to eat moderately, no binging, and resume low-caloric, healthy eating patterns on Monday morning. If you gain a few pounds as a result of your weekend eating, cut back and resume to another cycle to get the weight off. Hope this helps.
Hi I lost more than I thought!!!
Do I have to have my lemon water hot? I would prefer to add it to cold water and add a bit of Truvia to make the taste tolerable….
Maureen, see this post for more info on having your water hot rather than cold: https://17ddblog.com/is-hot-lemon-water-required/
I lost 17 lbs on cycle one and 5 so far on cycle two I HATE yogurt so i am using a probiotic supplement as the books says so far a good diet for me i just wish i had something i can eat that is crunchy can i eat the flavored rice cakes or a fat free pretzels?
Lynne, best to stick with approved foods. If you want crunchy, have some carrot sticks! :)
i’m surprised i didn’t find anything about kale chips on here. please delete if they are not acceptable. kale is on the approved veggie list along with olive oil. you don’t need much. i tried searching here and did not see any recipes. this has become my new favorite food. they taste sort of like a combination of garlic popcorn with a little bit of a green taste and have the texture of super thin crispy (but not greasy at all) potato chips. really filling and satisfying too. i found out i can make them in the microwave. SO much easier than the oven
Kale chips are acceptable! I just don’t have a recipe on the blog for them (yet!!).
Are you allowed edamame’s in any cycle?
I’m sure if soybeans are allowed in C2 then edemame would be allowed too.
I am on day 8 of cycle 1, and I haven’t really lost any pounds. I did use a different scale at the initiation of the diet than I have been using during the past 8 days. I have been taking this really serious and following all the directions. I am feeling pretty defeated. Any suggestions? Do some people lose more of the weight in the latter parts of the 17 days?
thanks everyone!
I can relate. Five days left of Cycle 1 and while I did lose 4lbs the first week, my weight loss has stalled. I even put a lb back on. I have been following the recommendations and diet very closely. I am wondering if it’s water retension. But at any rate 3 or 4 lbs down, while welcome, is certainly not what I would consider drastic or accelerated weight loss. Honestly, I was hoping for better results. Sticking with it though. :)
Rebeckah, make sure you’re drinking enough water (more water = less water retention) and eating enough food! These are the two biggest culprits I see!
I have been drinking the recommended amount of water, often more. Drinking all the green tea too. I have noticed my salt cravings are stronger than usual though and have added a few dashes to some of my soups. You might be right about not consuming enough food though. I have been following weight watchers at the same time and according to weight watchers I am not eating my minimum daily points allowance. A lot of the 17dd foods are low or 0pts. I am not feeling hungry or trying to stay under my points allowance intentionally. Maybe cycle 2 will actually help in this regard when the allowed foods list increases. I will keep you posted. :) PS- Down another 1lb as of today.
I need advice! I have been doing the 17 day diet for about 2 weeks now. I have not been super consistent and have only lost 3-4lbs. Should I go ahead and move on to the next cycle or should I repeat the first cycle again. My biggest issue is at night. I’m very good during the day but I lose my willpower at night when I’m with my family and tired from working all day. Please help! Any advice would be much appreciated. I’ve got about 8lbs to my goal.
Christine, you should definitely move onto the next cycle. If you stick to Cycle 1 too long, you’ll eventually stop losing weight. Keep going. Stay strong and you’ll be just fine!!
Thank you!
My husband and I are just getting started on C1. His work environment requires lunch & snacks to be uncomplicated. Are there any bottled green tea products that are suitable for packed lunches? Are there any deli meats (turkey) that are approved?
Hi Leah, any type of pre-made green tea that is real green tea is OK as long as there is no added sugar or no added artificial sweeteners (besides Stevia). As far as lunch meat, not until Cycle 3!
i travel for a living in my car. I simply put a green tea bag in a room temp 16 oz bottle of water and wait a few moments. I shake it a bit while I wait and after a few moments I have 16 ozs of green tea!
Great idea, Howard!!
Along with the lemon water being warm,does the green tea have to be warm too?
Hi Rob, no the grean tea can be cold if you like!
can you have coconut milk on the diet?
Unfortunately, it’s not on any of the cycle food lists!
Do you know why it is not allowed?
Linda, I’m not sure. I’m guessing it’s a bit too high in fat maybe.
If after cycle 3, I want to go back to cycle 1 because I have not reached my goal… Do I think repeat cycles 2 and 3 as well?? Or I do cycle 1 until I reach my goal and then jump to 4?
Hi Kerri – if you’re able to lose the remaining weight after going back to Cycle 1, then jump to Cycle 4 after that round. If not, you’d be better off going through each cycle again until you lose your weight. If you stay on Cycle 1 too long (more than 17 days), you’ll likely see your weight loss stop. Go back and do another round of C1-C3 until you get the weight off!
What are your thoughts on dealing with cheat days/cheat weekends? Do you count the day(s) in the 17 days? Not count them and get back on track asap and continue counting where you left off? What if you are in cycle 2 or 3. Do you do cycle 1 for a few days and then go back to your current cycle? Help!
Kerri, if you have a cheat day here and there, just pick right back up where you left off in your cycle. So if you’re on day 10 and you cheat the next day, then count the following day as day 11 of your cycle. Hope this helps!
Are you allowed to ever eat almonds?
Nikki, starting in Cycle 3 you can have unsalted nuts!
I am currently on day 11 of cycle 2. I have lost 9 and a half pounds so far however have only lost 1 and a half pounds so far in cycle 2. I know weight loss slows down but have found myself going up and down by a pound over last week. I feel I am following strictly and drinking right amounts. I only have a couple of pounds to go til my target is this usually harder to shift?? I can’t complain though as I feel so much better for eating this way!
Hi Linny! First congrats on your weight loss! I know many who don’t have much to lose, usually take a bit longer to lose those last few pounds! Keep it up and you’ll get there!!
My daughter,51,and I, 80, went on the 17 Day Diet three years ago. My primary physician suggested it to me. We initially lost 50/40 pounds respectively. Pretty much stay on it with a few detours of excess. Have gained back about 10 in all that time and are now in cycle one again. We both used the 3 smoothy drinks to kick off. What else can we do with our remaining Almond Breeze? The package says you have to throw it out 5 days after opening. Love this diet It really works for all ages as you can see. We both look great including our skin and hair. Everyone says we look “so healthy”, years younger. Great annual physical reports as well. Love to hear some ideas about the Almond Breeze.
Thanks, Carole
Hi Carole! Congrats on your past success! Unfortunately, if you’re sticking by the book, almond milk is allowed starting in C3 and only on the transitional day fast. If you’re a coffee drinker, some people use almond milk in their coffee while on C1 and it doesn’t seem to affect their weight loss. You can also use the milk in smoothies if you decide to use it during C1.
Love the 17-Day Diet. Lost 32 lbs 3-years ago. Kept it off for 2-years. Through some hectic times, gained it back. Now at that magical age where it’s slower to come off. Walking and have husband doing it with me. Need prayers! PS I miss cheese ☹️
Linda, congrats on your success! By the way, you can have cheese in moderation (it’s under the condiment section).
I am dairy sensitive. Not lactose but the cow milk proteins. So no yogurt Cottage cheese or cheese or eggs. These are all my highest sensitivities. I do eat Daiya cheese for vegans. It’s very good. Can I have that instead? What can I do in place of egg. I can have a little when an ingredient in a recipe but that’s it. I am just starting so trying to plan my meals
Hi Kim! So your yogurts and cottage cheese (those with active cultures) are going to be mainly for probiotics. A probiotic supplement would work in their place if you don’t want to try any other food items from the probiotic food list.
A vegan cheese substitute is fine – remember cheese is allowed in moderation under the condiment section, so it’s not a main food group.
As far as eggs, if you want to use a flax egg for baking, that would be appropriate. To make a flax egg, mix one tablespoon ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Let the mixture sit in your fridge for 15 minutes to set up and thicken.
If you’re looking for an egg substitute for a meal, tofu would be fine. I’ve seen vegan egg scrambles with firm tofu, nutritional yeast and seasonings.
Hope this helps!
Are raw nuts allowed on cycle 1? I usually have a handful with my apple snack & I had some on my 1st 17 day cycle. I have lost 47lbs so far and am going back on cycle 1 after being on 2 for a few weeks as I wish to lose 40 more lbs to get to my ideal wt.
Hi Martha. Sorry for the late reply. Nuts are allowed starting in Cycle 3 as a healthy fat.
Our second time in about six years to do the 17 Day Diet. We love it. Just got a little off track. We are just about finished with Cycle 1, and wondering if Beyond Meat burgers and sausages are allowed. I thought no because we can’t have peas yet as both are pea protein, but thought I would check.
Hi there! While I don’t know all the ingredients in them, I’d say maybe wait until Cycle 2 when legumes are introduced. Even then, I’d probably eat them sparingly.
I want to do a smoothie for breakfast with yogurt and the fruit we are allowed in cycle 1, any tips on what i can use so that the smoothie is not to thick to drink? should i use water or skim milk? they do no sell acidophilus milk where i live.
Hi Mark, the best thing to do is add a bit of cold water to loosen it up. It usually doesn’t take much. If you’re using regular plain yogurt (as opposed to Greek, for instance), you could also use some of the water from the yogurt that forms on the top at times.
In case you haven’t seen this, I have a post on how to customize your own smoothie: https://17ddblog.com/create-custom-green-smoothie/
Can you drink low-sodium V8 juice on cycle one?
Hi Linda, I think the only thing, besides the “natural flavorings” would be the beets that are included in the ingredient list. Beets are allowed starting in C3, and while they are good for you, they are higher in sugar. While you won’t find V8 juice on any of the cycle food lists, you could always have some to see how it affects you. If you find your weight loss is stalling, then I’d stop drinking them to see how it goes.
Can I have sunflower seeds or pepita seeds in Cycle 1?
Hi Deb! Any types of nuts/seeds are allowed starting in Cycle 3 and count as a healthy fat. Here’s the Cycle 3 food list in case you want to check it out: https://17ddblog.com/food-lists/cycle-3/
If you need the Cycle 1 food list, here it is: https://17ddblog.com/food-lists/cycle-1/