Alternatives?
 

Hi, I've been a stalker on here for a few months. I was introduced to this site by my SIL who has met her goal using Ideal protein. I want to start the diet as well, but I can't afford the program. I have 4 children to feed, so spending and extra $80-$100 per week is just not in the cards right now :( I'm hoping to save a "diet fund" to afford the program eventually.

I've been counting calories and running 5k 3-4 times a week and I've lost 11lbs but I haven't been able to get below 158... instead I yo-yo between 158 & 160 VERY frustrating!!! Plus being older (41) I'm finding it really hard to lose the weight.

Is there someway to do this program without going through Ideal protein. I have read the Alternative thread but was really confused.

How do I start this program and what do I need?

Help!! TIA!

This is what I did.

I printed the IP protocol sheet and posted it on my fridge
I purchase a protein powder, because the RTD shakes I can't stomach. But you could get EAS carb control shakes just about anywhere. If you have a Costco near you, it sounds like they have a bigger variety of shakes to choose from.
You want Calories < 120 (mine is 70) Carbs < 7g Protein > 17
If you can afford too get some alternative "packets" from nashua..I'd highly recommend it, as you will get sick of having a shake 2x per day (that's if you do a phase 2 type of diet eating Lean protein and veggies twice a day). One person on here was directed by her doctor to follow the diet and was told to have 3 shakes a day..that gets old quick.

So my day:

Breakfast: Shake and vitamins
Lunch: Lean Meat and Salad with my 2 c. veggies (though I've bought from nashua now, so I have a "packet" with my veggies and salad)
Dinner: Lean Meat and Salad with 2c. of veggies followed by vitamins
snack: Shake

I hope that helps

Thank you MInewgoal! That seems so easy compared to what I was reading on the Alt thread. I got so confused!

I was on the Nashua site, what products do you buy? Is it the Protidiet products?

Hi there! I too am 41 with 4 kids at home, so I couldn't afford to pay for the IP diet either.

Here is what my typical day looks like:

B: 1 EAS Carb Control Shake, Coffee
L: 1 EAS Carb Control Shake, salad with veggies
D: Lean meat, salad with veggies (sometimes toss in green beans)
Snack before bed: 1 EAS Shake

I've been doing this for 2 weeks and am down 8.8 pounds. I have been trying to get to Curves my 3x a week but it has not happened too much lately due to kids' sports schedules. I do find on the days that I have to work out, I will have a protein bar (Pure Protein) before I do. Helps keep my blood suger in check.

I've kept it pretty simple so far.
I buy both HealthSmart (nashua brand stuff)
and Proti-thin and protidiet stuff

You have to compare their info with IP stuff. Not everything is On Program.

This past order I placed was:

Unrestricted- "packets"
HealthSmart Gelatin- Cherry
HealthSmart Gelatin - Strawberry Banana
HealthSmart Hot Chocolate - Mint
HealthSmart Omelet - Bacon & Cheese
ProtiDiet Liquid Concentrate - Kiwi-Melon
ProtiDiet Pancakes - Blueberry

Restricted
HealthSmart Protein Bar - Peanut Butter
Proti-Thin Crispy Protein Bar - Chocolate Decadence

The restricteds are used in place of a packet. They are higher in carb and to be used sparingly. Some ppl don't buy the bars, as they are afraid they'll binge. Pretty sure more then one can easily knock you out of ketosis. I highly recommend reading the book for this diet. The pdf is linked on the first page of the daily chat thread

So are we doing only ppl with 4 kids on this thread :D:D jking of course.

But I'm in my 30s and have 4 girls, and I stay home...so I know what scraping is. :dizzy::dizzy:

I totally understand not getting the workout time in. There is always something going on with one of the kids! I've started qoing to the gym at 5:30am!! It really sucks, but at least I'm getting some excersise in. I was always putting my workouts off in the evenings because there was always something more pressing to do (homework, sports schedules etc) Everyone is sleeping when I go. I workout, shower and home by 7 when the kids are getting up.

Have you found it more difficult to lose weight once you hit 40? So frustrating! Once I saw my SIL results I knew it was something I needed to do to give my weight loss a boost. Although Dh supports me 100% in losing the weight he was dead against spending the extra $400-500 per month. Hence the 'diet fund"

I'm going to pick up some the alternative products and start this diet doing it on my own for now. I had set a goal to be 150lb by my b-day (may 21) but I'm stuck at 158 ... It would be nice to lose the 8lbs by then!!

Keep the advice coming!!!

Too Funny! I don't usually run into many families with 4 children, but I think its becoming more popular.

Question? What is the difference with restricted and unrestricted?

As I said in my previous post: Restricteds are a higher carb protein source.

They are to be used sparingly. The newest protocol says they are allowed One time/day. The original diet suggested NOT having any restricted items till the 3rd week. I personally went for 5 days with no restricted items when I started, and now I prolly have them 5/7 days.

BTW- it's probably better if you DO NOT exercise for the first 2 weeks of this diet.

Honestly..this is probably one of the most strict diets I've ever tried. And since all of my children are young, I have contraband all over the place, and have to convince myself constantly that the bite of that isn't worth it. The nice thing is the structure. You KNOW that you can only have the program items, and that's it. No thinking..just doing!

However I've come to the point in my life, that I'm done being this weight. I want it gone! And I'm bound and determined to make that happen. I had an extremely stressful month..and yesterday had to be one of the worst days ever. I managed to get through it without relying on my fall back comfort foods.

So I guess I'm saying, it's not easy, but I think it's going to be worth it. 2 weeks and 13 pounds!! Looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish in 2 months.

I'm in Canada, is there a cdn site for these products?

No. But most ppl have not had to pay customs on them every time.

proteinwell(dot)ca

not the same products per se, but similar products to IP.

That's funny. Maybe we need our own IP Group for people with 4 kids.

I have found it much hard to lose weight since I turned 40. I had my youngest in 2008 right after I turned 39 and it has been a struggle. I was at 165 for 3 or more years before that. Last fall, my dr put me on wellbutrin for perimenopause symptons and I gained 15 pounds really quick. I told her that was going to happen because it happened years before when they put me on prozac for migraines. They say weight gained from antidepressants is the hardest too lose.

I am at the point right now where I am really frustrated. I want to eat what everyone else is. My whole schedule was off yesterday so I was up a pound today. My goal is in the 180's by next Monday (I hope). We are going on vacation on June 5th, so I am going to keep at this as I need to buy a swim suit before we go and some other clothes - but I am putting shopping off til the week before. It should be an active vacation. I need to get some protein powder to take with me so I can have my shake anywhere at anytime.

I really miss chips and salsa most.

March 11/11 I had a d&C done, I was 3mths pregnant when an u/s found no h/b. I had gained 15lbs!! I've dropped 11 of it, but I'm finding really hard to keep the weight loss going.... even after adding cardio and calorie counting. Last summer I was able to drop 15lbs during the summer by running and cal counting... I weighed 145 and I was starting to fit into my smaller clothes. This time around things aren't as easy! Hopefully, using the alternative products will get things moving!

What does everyone do about the vitamins? I wonder if you can just go in and purchase them??

I hear you on the weight gained form anti-depressants is the hardest to lose. I went on Cymbalta last year for pain- it works but the side effects are awful including insomnia for me and of course weigh gain. I gained about 13 pounds. Finally just now went back to Phase 1, and I have lost the weight. Nothing else would make my body let go of it!

Have salsa 2x a week as your alotted tomatoes. Make some fresh!

About the alternative products, should work great, just as well as IP. It takes some thinking and research but it's worth it in the end and saves a lot of $. I just got some Syntrax Nectar and I forgot my shaker today. I mixed it in a cup and it actually dissolved! I was going to be really upset and grossed out about having to drink lumpy cappucino drink, but it dissolved so no worries. I got it on Amazon. I also got Roadside Lemonade flavor (because it was on sale!), but I don't like it as much as the cappucino flavor. I tried to make jello with it and Knox gelatine, and it didn't turn out at all! I ended up throwing it away after choking down half of it. Hahahaaa...

Funny! 4 kids here, too! ;)

We have our family on a strict budget as we are saving for some larger purchases (eventually buying a house). I started the ideal protein program back on February 19th. A week after I started the program, I switched to some alternative products to save a few bucks. First, instead of using the IP packets, I bought Atkins shakes from Walmart. In doing some research, they are slightly higher in total fat, but lower in some instances in total carbs. I figured I would give it a try. I thought I would keep buying the restricted packets through my health coach. By the way, health coaches do NOT like it when you do this. :) I continued to hit good losses and stuck with it. In 11 weeks I have lost 36 pounds. It would have been more, but I had to travel for 2 weeks on business and went off the program during that time. I was 1 pound heavier after those two weeks gone, but i think that was pretty good only eating hotel food and such. I worked my tail off at the gym while I was there though. Anyway, I have recently found that my favorite restricted items were the soy nuts. I found some soy nuts at the store the other day for $1.88, with enough servings to last me for 2 weeks. That saves me a grip of money. The nutrition facts are the same, so I am thinking it should work just fine too. I may get tired of them soon, but it is worth it to me in the money savings. That is just my experience. Others may not have had as much success in using the atkins shakes, but I think they taste good and they still help me lost the weight.

I just phoned a nutrition and suppliment store here and he said the EAS carb control shakes are no longer available in canada??!! :(
Anyone in Ontario seen it in stores?

Thanks for the nutrition information on the EAS shakes. Makes it really easy for me to know which ones to buy. Does anyone know the comparable nutrition information for the Pure Protein bars? I would like to know specifically which ones equal/replace the IP bars.

Here are what you should target:

Non-restricted (2X a day).....around 90-120 calories, under 5 grams of fat, and under 5 carbs (the lower the better...I stick to 2 grams)

Restricted (1X a day)....around 150-180 calories, under 9 grams of fat,, and around 12-16 carbs.

Avoid asparatame, look for sucralose

I did strictly IP products my first 5 months, but have used products from Nashua Nutrition for the last 3 months.

1 packet for breakfast (I use the bacon and cheese omelet packet)

1 packet for lunch ( I use EAS carb control shake, mixed with tea)
lettuce and 2 cups of veggies
1 tsp of evoo

6-8 ounces of lean meat for dinner
2 cups of veggies
1 tsp of evoo
lettuce if needed


One packet before bed (I eat a restricted bar)

Tons of water, correct supplements, no cheating...not a bite

Certain veggies are restricted (tomatoes, green beans, brussel sprouts, and carrots/peas are not allowed)

You can use mustard, spices, tamari, hot sauce

I'm trying to convince dh to let me try the IP diet for a few weeks to get the hang of it, but it's not in the budget right this moment ...

Thank you for explaining this... it makes a lot of sense now! I can't wait to get my stuff from Nashura and begin this journey!

oooo, look what I found: Pure Protein gelatin cups!

http://www.thelowcarbgrocery.com/cat...oducts_id=3476

100 calories, 0g fat, 2g carbs and 23g protein!

NO problem....IP gave me my life back and if I had a better coach I would still spend the money on the products, but the alternatives work well.

My son-in-law did strictly alternatives and lost 92 pounds in 4 months. My daughter did strictly alternatives and lost 60 pounds in 4 months.

Ooooo Yum! Is it a cdn company? THe website asks for postal codes, that would be awesome if it was! So hard to find the a huge selection of lowcarb food like what is available in the states!

Yes, they're out of Ontario.

Editing to add: I just googled Pure Protein Cups and voila! http://www.pureprotein.net/pages/wheretobuy.aspx

Did they do the Nashua Nutrition diet as an alternative?

I am staring today and am going to just use alternative. I want to go on the Ideal Protein diet but just not in the budget right now. This board has so much information.

I just noticed that amazon.com has ProtiDiet products. Depending on the seller, some are available for free supersaver shipping. I ordered a couple of things to try out before I put in a huge nashua order!

If anyone is from Edmonton AB they have the pure protein cups at sweets and tweets on 50st. Theyy are sooo good I bought them the other day.

Nitenic thank you so much for the information about amazon. I think I may order a few things also to give them a try.

Costco (in Canada) sells the Premium Protein Shakes - they happen to be on sale this week... They're not exactly the same, but the costco ones have a higher protein to carb ratio...

Nutrition summary:
Calories 160
Fat 3g
Carbs 5g
Protein 30g


Ideal Protein drinks:
Nutrition summary:
Calories 120
Fat 1g
Carbs 9g
Protein 18g

I am going to start an alternative plan tomorrow - will make a separate post to explain.

Gnc
 

of course, I get to work and cannot remember the product name, but I just bought some powder protein mix at GNC to replace the EAS RTD shakes and to save some money. I will post name tonight. Here is why - COST!!

EAS RTD - $4.74/4 pk at Walmart - 8 days of shakes - 3 per day = $33.18/$35 with tax.

That means 24 days at $105 or 31 days for $135.80

This protein - which you absorb 95% of and I was told by a lady that came in and bought some while I was there that it was really good cost:

$82.99 regular for 75 servings or $77 on sale with tax. 75 / 3 = 25 days for $77.


Hmm...$77 or $105??? Anything to save me some money. Also just placed an order from DietDirect and Nashua - they both carry ProtiDiet. I order from there for snacks - Chocolate crunchies and I love the Peach Mango drink.

So to everyone that has used the alternative Nashua Nutrition ProiDiet how do you like it? How many pounds can you lose a week? Do you have to take vitamins and 2 different other pills with this diet like you do on IP?

I am using alternative products - mostly shakes. I have ordered some products from Nashua and Diet Direct and they are fine. IP was too expensive so I am doing this on my own. I will admit, I lost 8.8 pounds in 2 weeks - not what I was hoping for, but oh well - better than weight watchers. I weigh myself on Monday and we will see what happens. I want a total of 10, but I am being realistic. Life interferes sometimes.

Good luck.

That's over 4 pounds per week! You better do a happy dance!!! LOL

I purchased some "pure Protein" 100% Whey powder. The Nutrition values is as follows

Cal 140
Fat 3g
Sodium 90mg
Carb 2g
sugar 2g
Protein 25g

As far as my (limited) understanding of the IP protocol, this should be fine to replace an unrestricted package. Am I correct in thinking this?

Secondly, I would replace 3 packages (breakfast, lunch, snack) with One serving of the protein powder (1 scoop) right??

This is the hard part of doing this program using alternatives :(

Hi,
I have been researching for alternatives coz IP food is getting too expensive for me. So the food from Nashua website is it comparable to IP food? I just dont have the time to go through each products and compare it to the IP products. Thanks.

Hi! Check out the "alternatives here" thread- there is a bunch of info on there about Nashua and the different products. Good luck!