Alternative Products that work in PHASE 1
 

Hi Everyone!

I have someone who can't afford to do Ideal Protein. She wants to try to do something like those who have used alternative products.

IF YOU HAVE TRIED and know it works, please respond with the product and your results.

I am hoping this thread won't get too buried in chat. I have tried to read the old alternative thread posts, and even as an experienced forum user, it is a bit overwhelming to read everything trying to pull out the essentials.! :dizzy:

Maybe we can get this to be something a little more reference and user friendly???

Thanks for all the help!

I have been trying a few new products and am very excited about them.
New hope mills has a blueberry muffin & bread mix. I used half to make 6 muffins and I will have 2 / day as a restricted.
I calculated the difference between this and the Chocolate pancakes/muffins from Ip and boy was there ever a difference.
I did tweak the recipe for the 6 muffins a bit tho and used just 2 egg whites.
Ip choco muffins (2 muffins) : Calories 177 Carbs 15 less 2 fiber=13 Protein 20
Blueberry Muffins (2 muffins) : Calories 158 Carbs 14 less 4 fiber=8 Protein 26
Pretty awesome!
I saved 5 carbs and got an extra 6g protein!
I paid 7.95 for the whole box incl shipping (makes 12) and all I have to add is egg whites and oil (I used sesame oil same nutritional value as olive oil) so thats like just over $1/meal!
I also tried out new hope mills pancakes/waffles and cut down the portion size to 1/4 cup mix and 1 egg with 1/2 tbs sesame oil and they tasted great with only 154 calories 6 carbs less fiber 3g total 3g, and had 21 g of protein.
With shipping it only cost me 7.45 for 4 servings for just under $2/meal.
I would highly recommend these as a restricted and they taste great. I am sooo planning on using these after the Ip program.

EAS AdvantEDGE ready to drink "shakes" in vanilla, chocolate fudge, double chocolate, strawberry, and mocha caramel cost about $5 for a 4-pack of tetra-paks. Available at WalMart and almost every grocery store. I'd give the flavor 3 stars although I really do not like the mocha caramel at all.

Premier Nutrition ready to drink "shakes" in chocolate only cost about $24 for an 18-pack of tetra-paks. There is a coupon valid through June 5th or 6th in the Costco Coupon Book. Crazy, but my husband and I bought 20 of the 18-packs b/c at about $1 a "shake," this was an incredible deal. 180 calories and 30 grams of protein so no more than 1 per day. 4 stars for flavor.

Cytosport's Muscle Milk Protein + in vanilla or chocolate powder. Do not confuse this with regular or lite Muscle Milk. This is Protein +, available at Costco for about $28 / 40 servings. About 130 calories, 3 carbs, and some sodium and potassium. 4 stars for flavor.

Pure Protein Tri-Phase Infusion I drink this before bed b/c of its sustained release of protein lasting up to 7 hours.

I drink a drink for breakfast as soon as I wake up and while I'm having my coffee b/c I'm hungry and so I can keep the ketosis going.

4 egg whites and 1 egg yolk in lieu of the IP omelet pack

3 oz tuna or salmon in lieu of any IP pack; doesn't seem like much b/c it's not so I usually allow myself 4 oz.

Believe it or not, I may allow myself 15-20 almonds per day or about 5 kalamata olives just to keep myself on track. I'd rather have these "real food" sources than a protein bar that has lots of sugar alcohols, etc.

I started buying from Lindora pretty early on in the diet. Their products start out at half the price of Ideal Protein, and they have 30% and 40% off sales all the time as well as sometimes free shipping on orders over $100. I count packets with 8 net carbs and under as non-restricted and anything over as restricted (no more than one restricted item per day). I checked ingredients before buying anything and never purchased any item containing aspartame because it gives me migraines.

Sometimes I used a protein shake made from NOW whey protein isolate, natural flavor, and mixed it with a little stevia and Walden Farms chocolate syrup. This was in place of an IP protein packet.

I made my own pancakes using the following recipe along with Walden Farms pancake syrup for under 5 net carbs for 4 medium pancakes. I used this in place of a protein packet. IP crepes are restricted, but these are not.

1/6 cup Maple Groves sugar-free pancake mix or Carbquik
1/6 cup NOW whey protein isolate, natural flavor
sprinkle of stevia or splenda to taste
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon olive oil or coconut oil or grapeseed oil
1 egg white, whipped with fork until frothy

Combine dry ingredients. Add vanilla, water, and oil and mix. Stir in egg white. Cook in preheated pan sprayed with PAM. If I use coconut oil, I melt it in the pan after spraying it with PAM. I use a 6-inch iron skillet. I don't have to spray the pan with PAM after the initial spray.


For alternative supplements, try ourhealthcoop.com. Buy their fish oil 1000 mg, their no-iron multi-vites, and their liquid calcium and magnesium capsules. I can't find anything comparable to IP's potassium calcium pills, but you can buy them from OurHealthCoop as well.

I reached goal (49 pounds lost) after 19 weeks so I consider my alternative plan a success.

\I use the ready to drink EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control shakes in Chocolate Fudge and that is all I have ever used. I don't know if something else is better so to me they taste great! I did run out and the last two days have sampled with FiberSmart and it was DISGUSTING...I will never, ever, ever have it again! Oh, and if you go to Sam's Club, you can get 24 ready to drink tetra packs for $27.


Karleem...where do you get those muffins mixes? I would sooo enjoy that! Thanks!!

Thanks everyone! Keep it coming! I will keep searching old thread this week and add quote/copy and paste of paste information shared.

TO MOTIV8EDMAMA What product does SAM's sell in tetra packs??

Sam's sells the EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control shakes. I am thinking they only come in the chocolate fudge flavor, that may be becuase IMHO the vanilla is so gross I try to erase it from my memory..hehe. They also sell it in the powder form, 70 servings for $27, same price as the RTD at 24 packs. I get the RTD as I am a sleepy head who has to hit the ground running. :)

I bought the Lindora strawberry shake/pudding, sour cream soy puffs, and the cheesecake. They all have 8 carbs and only 12-15 protein. If I'm not mistaken, it is higher in carbs than a lot of the IP products and less protein.

Ok ladies so Im gonna do IP on my OWN starting on Saturday. I also am not gonna use their supplements, Im gonna go to Sams and buy the EAS drinks. If I do need some variety Ill go on Diet Direct for the carmeal nut bars.
So my question would be does that sound like what some of you have done or am I missing anything else?

B- shake and water
L- 2 cups veggies(salad) and shake
S- shake
D- lean protein and 2 cups veggies

Is this pretty much how the plan goes? Im also gonna start on a multi- vitiam and some omega 3s as well.

My question about breakfast would be is it okay to use regular eggs instead of a shake?

Thanks for any input

I want to be sure you get that last shake that you have listed as a snack 1 hour to 30 minutes before you go to bed. If you are hungry throughout the day, try drinking more water or spreading your veggies out a little more. Also, you can graze on lettuce and some suggest if you are hungry adding more oil. Good luck to you!

ChimpChamp has used the above. I use 3 egg white and 1 whole egg or 2 whole eggs. Any of these will work.

Consumer reports has an article 7/2010 on protein supps, AdvanEdge dark choc
tested high for heavy metals, interesting. Whole foods may be a better source of protein, egg whites, fish, tuna, salmon, chicken.

On day 26 of IP Alternative program, Ive lost approx 10 lbs, it was a great kick start for weight loss. I really learned that I was eating way to many carbs and not nearly enough protein. I plan to give it a try on my own, with following the plan but supplementing whole foods for the protein pac portion of it with approx equal amounts of protein, fat , and carbs. Any ideas out there?

I'm not sure equal amounts of protein, fat and carbs are what I'd be looking for. What about magnesium and potassium and, most important, the 8 essential amino acids?

Lord knows I'm as subversive as anyone, maybe more so because I actively work at it. But something I learned early on is that you simply cannot succeed at breaking the rules unless you understand them. That way you can use the reasoning behind the rule to your own benefit.

Ok, so maybe most of the time what I was really after was to make the rules better. But I don't know how to make the IP rules let alone make them better. All I really know is that I'm losing weight, gaining lean body mass, appreciably reducing body fat, and haven't had a cluster headache since I started the program.

I followed the advice of a Kaiser nutritionist for almost 2 years, gained weight, and became progressively weaker and foggier. All that is reversing. Maybe these results are age-specific, but I'd hate to see you silently starving yourself even if you're getting enough basic nutrients. Scares the **** out of me.

Isn't subversive a great word? Of all the words Shakespeare invented, I think it's my favorite.

I have used the EAS AdvantEdge shakes exclusively since starting. The chocolate, double (or dark?) chocolate and strawberry are awesome. The vanilla is ok, I mostly use it to make a cappuccino type drink in the evening - 1 cup decaf coffee, 1 shake warmed, maybe some WF chocolate syrup or WF caramel dip if I'm feeling decadent, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice on top.

I also use the EAS bars as a restricted item. Sometimes I will cut each up into 8 pieces, and have 2 pieces on an day when I need a little something extra. I also use the Pure Protein bars in the same way. Just watch the bars because they have a good amount of carbs. Occasionally they're just fine for me.

I happen to love chocolate, so even though I'm on day 34, I haven't gotten sick of the lack of variety I get with only using a limited type of product, instead of the range IP offers.

Karleem, could you upload the nutritional value/ingredients on the muffins and pancakes. also I cannot tell but is that a great dane or a mastif next to your pug in your pic. I have two great danes and I LOVE big dogs

I also use the EAS shakes exclusively now and my weight loss really hasn't slowed one bit. I love all the flavors, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate fudge are my favs. I also use my own supplements now that pretty much are 'ideal' when compared to the IP ones and I take an omega3 twice a day. :-) I also have my last shake two hours before bed and not as a snack in between meals. I seem to cheat on the IP diets rules (not a cheat in my eyes though) and I have a wedge of light Laughing Cow cheese on 3 flax seed crackers before I go to bed and It has never knocked me out of ketosis. (the crackers have no sugar and 1 carb for 3 crackers) yummo! :-)

oh.. .and I don't eat ANY restricted veggies. I'm just one of those people who sticks with one thing for a long period of time...so it's alot of mushrooms, squash, bell peppers, baby cucumbers, celery and banana peppers to add some umpf to my salads. :-)

Would you be willing to share what supplements you're using? I've been doing some searching, but can't find 'ideal' combinations yet. Thanks!

just google "maple grove farms sugar free pancakes nutritional value" they are actually WAY better in the carb/protein dept than the IP ones. i like the taste better too:o

Lindora is having a 25% off sale on all their bars now through July 12.

thanks a bunch

has anyone ever used products from Dixie Diner's Club. Most of their stuff is super low carb (-fiber) and most of it is low fat or fat free. I ordered a few things to try.

Am I correct that the carbs we look at are the carb - fiber?

I know that alot of Alternative IPers use the Pure Protein RTD shakes, but what are your thoughts on using the Pure Protein bars (as a restricted item)?

Hi, Christina, I didn't look at all of the bars, but the peanut butter caramel one I checked out had 7 fat grams and 24 carbs along with the 18 grams of protein. Way too much fat and carbs for this diet.

Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 Bar (57g), Amount Per Serving: Calories
210, Calories from Fat 70, Total Fat 7g (11% DV), Saturated Fat 4.5g (22% DV), Trans Fat 0g,
Cholesterol <5mg (1% DV), Sodium 250mg (11% DV), Total Carbohydrate 24g (8% DV),
Dietary Fiber 1g (5% DV), Sugars 2g, Sugar Alcohol 15g, Protein 18g (30% DV), Vitamin A

RTD Shakes :

• Pure Protein Chocolate Can - Walt-Mart - 4/8 $
• Premier Protein Chocolate - Costco - 18/28 $
• Atkins Vanilla & Chocolate - All groceries - 4/8 $ (be careful, more fat and aspertame)

Powder Whey

• IsoWeight Vanilla - Loblaws - 32 servings/28$
• Isoweight Chocolat - Loblaws - 32 servings/32$

Bars (restricted item)

• Supreme Protein Peanut, Rocky Road or Caramel - Walt-Mart - 1/3$
• SlimDown Almond-Coconut, Chocolate, Yogourt or Peanut Butter - Walt-Mart - 1/2$
• Oh Yeah Brownies, Rocky Road, Peanut Butter or Chocolate - Pharmaprix - 1/1.50$

Others products

• Sugar Free Syrup Vanilla, Chocolat, Caramel or Hazelnut - Starbuck - 1/5$

Thanks BevS. I saw the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pure Protein Bar at my local Superstore and thought it might be an OK substitute as a restricted, but maybe not. Here is the nutritional info...

Serving Size: 1 Bar (50g), Amount Per Serving: Calories 200, Calories from Fat 60, Total Fat 6g (10% DV), Saturated Fat 3g (14% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 10mg (4% DV), Sodium 200mg (8% DV), Total Carbohydrate 16g (15% DV), Dietary Fiber 1g (6% DV), Sugars 2g, Sugar Alcohol 6g, Protein 20g (24% DV).

Also, I use the Dr. Bernstein RTD shakes in chocolate, vanilla and mocha exclusively now. You get 6 for $12 (tax incl.) so they are only $2 each. You can walk into any Dr. B clinic and purchase them there (you don't have to be a member) or order them on-line.

I read the study too and I called EAS (Abbott Labs). After a long conversation with the consumer rep, we both came to the conclusion not to have more than 3 whey products per day. I will continue to use the EAS low-carb ready made drinks instead of some/all IP packets, but only 3 per day. I think that would be safe.

motiv8edmama

you said to "get that last shake that you have listed as a snack 1 hour to 30 minutes before you go to bed." Why is that important? I've been using the snack between lunch and dinner. thanks

The idea behind the last shake before bed is to prevent the body from having a drop in metabolism for too long over night. It also help the blood sugar from dipping and rebounding in the morning.

Thanks Carla. Hmmm. my coach told me I could move the shake to in between if I got too hungry... I'll see about moving it back.

It is fine in either place. IN FACT, during the first week you can have up to 4 packets a day. It helps you adjust to the lower calories. You could have a snack on days you need it and the bedtime dessert too.

I found it was better to have that afternoon snack if I really needed it instead of setting myself up for a cheat.

I can usually avoid a night time cheat! :)

I've found the lettuce can hold me over but the afternoon snack is a tough one to time. I do better at night too. :) thanks!

What do you guys think of this as an alternate product?
 

http://catalog.herbalife.com/US/en//...89US-02-02.pdf

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/y...e_beverage.jpg

Well, as far as alternative products go, this is a decent one in my opinion. It is a 3g carb choice but so are many other things we eat. I do see them using starch in the ingredients list. That is not desirable but, it is at the end of the list. Also, I see it may be more to the acidic side with added chemicals, the malic acid and lemon juice solids. It also uses corn oil. Not bad in that it is a vegetable oil but, not good in comparison with olive, coconut, or safflower oils. In the canthaxanthin color mixture you see most of the carbs (dextrin, sucrose, starch) granted it is a low quantity but, it is still there. I don't see any of the carbs coming from a nutitive or fiber source.

Again, as an alternative option or a low carb food to use in the future, it isn't bad.

I have 6 left over from a failed diet. I thought if they aren't bad I will use one every few days. I don't think I'd order them again, unless I really drop in weight after using them. LOL Thanks, Carla!

I use low cholesterol, liquid eggs in a carton. 1/2 cup = 1 IP bacon and cheese omelet.:D

I use the EAS carb control, also. I have been on the IP diet for three months and have used the EAS the last two weeks. I have found that my desire to eat has decreased since I have stopped eating the bars and other selections that IP has to offer. On IP it cost me $81. a week and using just the EAS drinks it costs me $21.10 at Walmart. I use the vanilla as an iced coffee drink. I use:
1 EAS Vanilla Carb Control drink
1 cup of strong coffee
2 packets of Splenda
Ice
I love it! :coffee:

I will soon be at the end of my month's supply of food provided with my initial visit to my Dr and I like the rest of you have been searching for a comparable alternative to save $. I did find Jay Robb Whey Protein. It has 25 grams of protein, 110 calories, fortified with vitamins, and amino acids. (tried to locate a image of the label, no luck) and it's sweetened with Stevia. I've been using half a scoop of the strawberry with half a pkt of the IP Strawberry Pudding and it's really good. Makes a really tasty shake. Using it alone, one scoop doesn't seem to have enough flavor. I've not tried the other flavors as yet though.

Yummy chocolate truffle protein powder
 

Hi All,
I'm new to the IP diet, and have been reading these threads with interest. As a much tastier alternative to the IP chocolate pudding/shake, you might want to try "Low Carb Protein" chocolate truffle flavour. It's made by Interactive Nutrition, but I couldn't find it on their website. I bought it at Loblaws in Toronto --$24.99 for 600g. Each scoop is 30g, 110 cal, 23g protein, 2g carbs, 0 fibre, 1.5g fat, 60mg cholesterol, and 40mg sodium.
It's a whey-blend protein powder, so dissolves easily. It's not a shake, so basically chocolate flavoured water, BUT the "truffle" aspect somehow gives it a very rich satisfying taste even with the thin mouth feel. It is truly delicious!