Dr. Simeons mentions planned interruptions in Pounds and Inches for clients who need the freedom to eat off-protocol foods temporarily during their round of the VLCD. Essentially, a planned interruption is a temporary (less than 14 days) stop in the treatment that puts the client into Maintenance 1. This allows for a bit more freedom in food choices.

To do a planned interruption, one would come off the drops and continue on VLCD for 3 days and then begin to eat M1 foods. So long as your planned interruption is no more than 14 days (including the 3 transition days), you may begin the drops again and resume the VLCD as normal with no loading days required. Please be sure to read through the section on interruptions in treatment in Pounds and Inches before attempting a planned interruption. These are only to be used in cases where an interruption is the only option.