That's what I really miss is my fruit juices. If anyone has found one that is acceptable in phase one please share :-D

I think that is the point of having the packet juices like the orange one... Also..i doubt you will find a "fruit" juice that is legal..however..you could take rubarb and juice it and add a little splenda and drink it like a juice??? Just a thought?

Maybe try a squirt of Mio with water if you need something to help your 'juice tooth'.

Water with tons of fresh lemon...

I enjoy the fruit-type IP drinks. I usually have the pineapple-banana or the piņa colada for breakfast and it fulfills my morning craving for fruit.

I love the mango drink.

Just remember: you just can't have it right now. I never tell myself "no, absolutely not!" I say to myself, "Not right now. I can have it later." And one day, faster than I realize, "later" will already be here.

My coach said the Mio has a tendency to slow some people's weight loss because they use it too much. I let myself have one packet of Crystal Light each day if I need to get over the water hump. My coach said those were okay. I also put some fresh lemon and mint in the other day and it was wonderful! Added a little something extra. I also like the fruit drinks as it curbs my craving of fruit that day.

Powerade zero is a nice treat I have a few times a week. Especially when I bring the kids for an ice cream at the corner store. I have a fruit punch or grape power aide zero. It is 0/0/0/ so good to go.

I say go for the powdered drinks that are made by the company. I know bariwise makes some good ones that I'll be switching to once I get paid-ed-ed!

Not on IP, so I'm not 100% sure my suggestions are legal, so you'll have to read labels to be sure, but I've found a few drink mixes that do a much better job of impersonating juice flavors.

Most drink mixes are sweetened with aspartame, but more and more are beeing sweetened with sucralose (such as Slenda) or stevia (such as Truvia). Read the labels to see if the ingredients are IP approved. Also be aware that occasionally you'll find a drink mix sweetened with a sugar alcohol (such as xylitol, sorbitol, any of the other -ols). Some of the sugar alcohols do contain more carbs/calories than others (usually 0 - 2 cals per gram). Also some of them are half as sweet as sugar, and half calorie/carb (so you're not really "saving" anything by using them) - so use google to to double check the calories/carbs in the sweeteners you see listed.


Some of the orange flavored drink mixes (usually aspartame sweetened), I like quite a lot - though they imitate "Sunny D" and other orange "drinks" more than juice.

The Walmart Great Value cranberry flavor is very good, as is the apple. The Great Value apple tastes much more like real juice/cider than Crystal Light's appletini which has more of a green apple candy (Jolly Rancher) flavor.

I think the peach flavor resembles juice nicely.

Target has a pear/apple that is very good (I've only seen it in the single-serve package).

I've also discovered that the drink mixes taste much more like juice if you mix with more water than directed. Also, if you make the drink mix with just a little more water every time you make it, you can slowly decrease your sweet tooth and use of artificial sweeteners (if you want to).

For most flavors I now use about half the water called for, if I add tea bags to the pitcher (to make a flavored refrigerator tea). If I'm not adding tea bags, then I usually use 3 quarts of water to one package designed to make 2 quarts (depending on the flavor. There are some flavors I like full-strength such as lemonade).

You'll have to ask your coach (if you have one) which sweeteners/drink mixes you are allowed and how much.

Another beverage you might try that probably would be "legal" is unsweetened jamaica (hibiscus flower). I'm NOT talking about the sweetened drink mix, I mean the actual dried flowers. They're available in Latino/Mexican markets and in many grocery stores in the ethnic foods aisle.

You simmer the flowers in hot water (often there's a recipe on the bag, and if not, there are many online - just don't add the sugar called for). I simmer for a longer time, and do not add any sugar.

The unsweetened liquid (no calories, no carbs, no caffeine) that results tastes like a cross between tea and unsweetened cranberry juice. It's quite tart.

Hubby loves it unsweetened. I add a little sweetener (if you add sweetener make sure it fits in your plan).

Cucumber lemon drink
Have a few too many cocktails last weekend? Feeling a little bloated or uncomfortable in your clothes? Try this immunity boosting, anti-inflammatory drink that will fill you up, flush your system and make you feel better in no time. Make a big pitcher of this, run yourself a hot bath and relax you will be feeling better in no time.
Makes a Pitcher-
1/2 Lemon thinly sliced
1/4 Cucumber thinly sliced- save 2 slices to place on your eyes
Ice
Water
In a large pitcher add the lemon and cucumber, then the ice and then water. Let sit in the fridge for a few minutes before serving. Pour into a large wine glass, put your feet up and relax. Once the water is down to only 1/4 full refill with water. You can do this several times, keep in the fridge.
The cucumber acts as an anti-inflammatory and the lemons boost immunity. Once you are done with your bath pop in your favorite Yoga DVD, you will be feeling back to yourself in no time.

OMG WUV! I love this idea!!!!!!

I've been drinking old fashioned Kool Aid this week (week one) - the unsweetened packets. I add stevia and it's delicious. So far the black cherry is the best which is wonderful over ice in the blender. It's tart and reminds me of shaved ice.

I'll meet with my coach this week for the first time. My initial meeting was with my doctor. I'm hoping Kool Aid is okay, I was a little unsure because of the acidity. But I've looked everywhere and can't find any indication it wouldn't be allowed.