I am about 75% ip with some low carb protein powder included, usually for breakfast. I use designer why which is sweetened with stevia to try to reduce the sucralose in this diet.

I mostly eat the soups and puddings.

I started out 100% IP and stayed that way for a long time. For those of you familiar with my issues, you may remember that my coach was one of the ones who didn't allow any restrictives (veggies or packets) until phase 2. Before I went to phase 2, I had the occasional Atkins or Pure Protein bar. I am now in Maintenance and have a pure protein bar as a snack most days. I also use a combination of IP and alt products for phase 1 days, mainly because I stocked up on IP products and still have some. I'm not sure how I should vote in the poll though, so I didn't.

I started 100% IP then found that I couldn't keep up with the cost, so I switched to alternatives after I lost 40+ pounds. Now I am using 100% alternatives only because it is much cheaper.

100% alternatives out of necessity... no clinic and no way to get IP products

I used IP products for 5 months, I hit maintenance last month and now am starting to buy Alternative products on Nashua. I have to budget better this year and save, save, save money. :)
IP products definitely taste better than the Proti-Diet products I have recently purchases though... on the plus side, with every order I have gotten 3 free products: coffee drink, soy nuts and a bar!

Alternatives (Proti-Diet) for me, and I am happy with them. I do not necessarily agree that IP tastes better, at least not in all cases. I like the Proti-Diet breakfasts and soups and bars just fine. The soups are not as thick, but I like to put blended veggies in anyway. I also like the EAS shakes and bars as well. My loss has been slower, but I also admit to an occasional mixed drink. I AM NOT RECOMMENDING THIS TO ANYONE. It is strictly my personal decision, and I am fully aware that this is most likely why I am not losing faster. However, it is the trade-off I have decided that I can live with. (Thank you for not blasting me :^:, just thought I would be perfectly honest.)

If I had the money, I would totally do the whole clinic thing and buy IP products. I appreciate the work the creators of IP have done and the quality of the products. I believe the products are worth the money. And it would be nice to have a coach (if I got a good one that is). I just don't have the money.

So... I use EAS Shakes and Pure Protein bars for my alternatives. They are easy to find, at my Walmart and BJ's (Costco-like store). I'm very curious about the Proti-Diet stuff, but haven't ordered any yet because what I'm doing has been working. The one week I gained was when I went off program for a week after Christmas. Other than that, I've averaged 3 lb losses each week, so I'm very happy with it.

IP only. I did not know there were alternatives. I don't want to do all the thinking and calculations on my own. I knew this was pricey and a commitment so we cut down on spending before and during the holidays.

My husband and I did only IP in the beginning. After a few months we started adding in alternatives (Lindora) due to the cost of IP. My coach understood about the cost and was okay with us doing this. I do about 75% Lindora and 25% IP. We were able to maintain over the summer and mostly over the holidays (I gained 8 lbs) using this method. I recommitted myself to IP again now I only use one Lindora product (cappacino) in the a.m. then the other two are IP. I will say that using mostly IP this time I don't feel as bloated but maybe it's because I don't have the little cheats that I was doing before.

Man all this talk makes me want to go back to 100% IP again. I loved meeting weekly with my coach and I did like some of the food (like the cap and jelly) better than anything I can find in the alternative realm.

Both the first and now the second time doing IP, my husband and I use "mostly" IP... other than 1 Atkins shake every morning with our coffee (closest I can get to my Starbucks addiction! LOL!) and we use "Oh Yeah" bars once or twice a week. So far it has worked for us and our budget.

I am mostly IP but do order from www.nashuanutrition.com their HealthSmart items which are so close in numbers to IP foods. They have a Starter kit with 5 boxes (7 per box). Each box is a Variety Pack. One VP of Hot Chocolates, one of Protein Bars, one of High Protein Crispy Bars, and of Shakes/Puddings, and one of Fruit Drinks. The grand total for that kit is $47.95. Also the site has free shipping over $99. Nashua is also a source for the Proti products. I do love saving money. My husband's favorite IP product is the Caramel Nut bar. The HealthSmart Caramel Crunch bar he thinks may even taste better than the IP. The calories are about the same though they are perhaps slightly smaller in size.

Strictly IP

I should have added that I was strictly IP till I reached my original goal. Smile.

Survalia, I'm not at all judging, I for one, CANNOT WAIT to get into maintenance so that I can do the wine tasting tours around my house. So, I completely understand....just wanted to let you know I've read that alcohol is hard on your liver while in ketosis. Of course, alcohol breaks down to sugar so every time you will more than likely go out of ketosis. I've also read that going in/out of ketosis is hard on your body.