A few questions from my son

[Guest guest]

I just finished reading the whole book (BTVC) and am actually starting to get

excited about getting started. We've been doing some test meals - tonight was

roast chicken with steamed broccoli and carrots and no rice or potatoes. My son

wanted a banana for dessert and it was all okay. This is something we eat a

lot, but usually have a high carb side dish. I'll make some muffins or

something down the road when he's further into the diet.

Here are some questions that my son has:

What about Thanksgiving? Can't I just have a few mashed potatoes? Can't I just

cheat once every few months? Can you make chili? If I stay on the diet for 6

months or a year and get all the way better, can I go off for at least a while?

(I read in the book that people have done this, including Elaine's own

daughter.)

I also have a few questions. Why is canned fruit (in it's own juice) allowed,

but not canned vegetables? Isn't there just as much chance that fruit will have

traces of sugar/starch? The new food labeling laws that took effect in 2006

were supposed to address the 2% rule. Canned pumpkin, for example (pumpkin is

actually a fruit anyway...) is not legal, even if the ingredients are only

pumpkin and water. Same for some canned tomatoes. But pears packed in their

own juice are fine? I see inconsistency here. Do any of you use things like

organic canned tomatoes from reputable companies where the only ingredients are

tomatoes, water and salt?

Thanks for all the help and advice that so many of you have already given me!