Alternative Discussions Here
 

Yesterday on the board there was a bit of discussion about so many threads devoted to alternative questions and issues. I just thought it may be best to keep them in one place if possible. So I'll start this thread. I am in a late time zone so I can bump it up each evening if people do post here.

I started IP in August at a clinic. I was driving a hour each way to the clinic. My coach was very good but once school started I did not have the time to add this two hour drive to my hectic schedule. I would use IPtoGo but that is not an option in Canada.
I am post menopausal so my rate of loss was slower than expected so it was obvious the whole process would take longer and thus more expensive than it is for most people.

So I switched to alternatives and used the alternative stickies under the daily thread to match the nutrition info between IP products and the alternative products.

I continued on my journey. My weight loss continued at the same rate (slow but steady)and I am now 2 pounds from goal.

Truth be told, the IP products are likely a bit better in that they work in the packet recipes, the alternative ones don't. They also may limit hunger a bit more but that could be my imagination.

On the other hand some things I really like has lower carbs than the equivalent IP product so that meant I could have something like oatmeal and still have a restricted product that day.

So all in all I am pleased with my switch.

There was some discussion if using alternatives means that you are not really on IP. That likely is so but my 32 pound loss is real so that's really all that matters to me.

There was also the question as to why people using alternatives don't just use a low carb forum. I don't because I am not on a low carb diet. I am on a low carb/ low fat /higher protein plan. Maybe I shouldn't call it IP but no matter what I call it it worked for me without the side effects low carb diets always had for me.
So I thought I'd start a new spot for those of us who are on a pseudo-IP plan using alternatives.

Please feel free to comment on your alternative plan experience and ask questions.

Pat

I am following the IP concept, but using both IP and alternative products to increase my choices, lower my cost, and find alternatives that hopefully don't have as much of the things in IP that I don't think are healthy (soy, sugar alcohols, etc.).

I have read the Dr. Tran book 3 times now, have a very good understanding of ketogenic diets, and try to make the best choices for ME within the IP concept to keep me on plan long term.

But if that means I can't have an IP badge for my Girl Scout uniform, I'm ok with that. :)

Thank you Pat for your statements. I agree as well- maybe I shouldn't call it IP but then again, I want to give credit to the good doctor and his program because it is his method, maybe just not his products. I simply cannot afford to do all IP products. If I were losing 30-40 lbs, it would be ok to just use IP products but since I have a large amount of weight to loose, I simply cannot afford the cost. However, I love the plan, and love the way it is working for my body. I still have some IP products left so I am not completely using alternatives as of yet but will be soon.

Thanks again for posting and I am interested in hearing about other's experiences!

Yes some people are using a combination of products, some just using all alternatives. There is another thread called "strictly alternatives". I started this one because lots of people are not using just the alternatives.

I thought it would be easier to keep all the questions and comments in one spot.
Darn!! I didn't keep my Girl Guide (Canadian Girl Scouts) uniform. I would fit in it again, even if I don't get the last badge.

Good for you!!! Your results have been pretty darn awesome!!!

Thank you for doing this Patns :cp:!!

I think the thread is a great idea. Those doing alternatives in the IP manner or general plan is an option many have to utilize. My son can not do the program products but he is impressed with plan. He does his best to emulate it and I try to help him. This site has been great help! He lost two more pounds over the weekend and was out of town with friends!

This thread may help reduce confusion! I will come here for alternatives info.

So hoping for better health and weight loss success for all working on these goals!!!

I too have used mostly alternative products since starting in January. My mom is on IP and started back in July and since she had such good results, I wanted to try too. I have her get a few things for me from her coach, but use mostly alternative. Thus far, have had fantastic results. This thread is a pretty good idea!

I follow the IP protocol, but still consider myself OP. I can't afford the original IP products so I did massive research to find what products are comparable substitutes. I read label after label before finding comparable products...and they've paid off!

I have used the IP products but am phasing off now, and intend to use alternatives as the occasional treat in the future. I didn't even know they existed before finding this forum, so I'm grateful for you all!

Pat, I had no idea that being post-menopausal would affect the rate at which we loose pounds. I am also post-menopausal. Some weeks I'd do pretty well, but some, it was nothing at all, and I was completely on-plan for 11 months. Maybe the menopausal thing explains it...

Glad to see so many people pop in. I'm off for one of my least favorite days of the year. I taught grade one for many years and the day after the spring time change was awful. I'm not doing the same job now. I hope I get to work with older kids today rather than younger ones.
I want to talk about protein drinks for breakfast but better run.

Pat

Morning,
I haven't been on the site all weekend, but there seems to be some buzz lol. I started with IP last May and phased off their products in August. I too did a lot of label comparison and used alternative products through Sept. I took too long of a break over the holidays and now I am back at the weight I was when I stopped...While on IP, they had me on 2 shakes and a bar daily, I never had any of their other products, so I am fine with 2 shakes and a bar now and my weight loss is the same. I do miss the coach aspect of the program, but I feel like I learned enough about what to do, that I could do it on my own and save a great deal of money. I know that if I get stuck, I can always go back to the clinic. Best of luck everyone!

Thanks for the thread Pat, I am planning on using alternatives along with the IP products. I ordered my first few products off of Nashua Nutrition (Proti-Thin Cappuccino, Proti-Thin Peanut Crisp Bar, and ProDiet Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal). I can't wait to try them! The reduced cost is amazing!

Cassi

I just left my clinic to do it on my own as well. I use the labels as a guide and am getting everything from nashua in combo with EAS shakes and my IP Favs I stocked up on. Didn't really see benefit in coaching and I have friends who have done who can help with guidance- as well as this awesome site to finish phases.

Can people post their favorite alternatives- I just ordered -

HealthSmart Pancakes - Golden DeliCious*
HealthSmart Pudding & Shake - Cheesecake *
Proti-Thin Protein Bar - Caramel Delight *-LOVE LOVE
Proti-Thin Snack - Chocolate Covered Soy Snacks
ProtiDiet Oatmeal - Maple Brown Sugar
ProtiDiet Omelette - Bacon & Cheese - not a fan so far
ProtiDiet Pancakes - Blueberry pancakes
ProtiDiet Pudding - Chocolate
ProtiDiet Pudding - Vanilla


All seem okay or did I miss something where I shouldn't use a product? Any other suggestions? I can't have nuts per allergy.

Thanks for tips and recs!

FYI. The nutritional fact sheet is old. Let me figure out how to upload new one.

I am doing the "alternate plan" (for health reasons) as well as using alternatives to IP foods - so I am the alternative alternative!

I started on Friday, and am feeling less hungry today and more energetic. I ordered some proti-diet stuff yesterday - I'll let you know how it turns out!

Thanks Wuv! I need to save these all in one place!

I really like the ProtiDiet Blueberry Pancakes
Proti-Thin - Chocolate Soy Snack (exactly the same as IP/$12.95 box/7 servings
Proti-Thin - Vanilla Peanut Bar (exactly the same as IP/$11.95 box/7 servings

Ordered this weekend:
Proti-Diet Pizza - $10.95 box (some mentioned that it was good)
Honey Nut Soy Cereal - $11.95 box (reviews say that it tastes like Cheerios)

My clinic charges $29.00 a box so if I can order some other products it is worth it. Still love the quality of the IP products so just using the others as supplemental at the moment.

ProtiThin Carmel Delight bar
Protidiet Honey Nut Cereal (it's not quite honey nut cherios, but it's good!)
Protidiet Hot Chocolate
Protidiet Chicken Soup
Weight Loss Systems Butterscotch Pudding (I REALLY like this one. I actually use it as a hot drink…mmmmm….)
HealthSmart Peanut Butter Bar (tastes like reeses)

My staples consisted of:

Proti-Diet apple cinnamon oatmeal, which I always dressed up with about 1/4 cup of diced zuchinni which had been microwaved with cinnamon, mutmeg and lemon juice to make "apple" chunks. Sometimes I added a spoonful of WF caramel syrup. What a treat!

Proti-Diet Honey Nut cereal and Proti-Diet blueberry pancakes, very good IMO. I really liked the Proti-Diet tomato basil soup, too. (I chose mostly Proti-Diet because it seemed to be the most economical from Nashua).

VERY much appreciated! :hug:

Thank you Lisa! Very sweet of you. ;)

Snacks...
 

Hello all! I'm on a constant hunt for snacks :-)
And I saw this alternative thread and thought...hmmmm great idea! But I know nothing about the alternative stuff.

So I see ProtDiet and Proti-Thin, what's the difference?

These are the ones I'm interested in, please let me know if you have tried or when you do try
ProtiDiet Dessert - Chocolate Fudge Cake (7/Box:
Proti-Thin Protein Wafer Squares - Dark Chocolate (5/Box, 2 Squares/Serving)
ProtiDiet Protein Bar - Supreme Chocolate (7/Box)

I cannot speak on the difference between the two. I just looked at the spreadsheet that was made showing comparisons and made my choices from that sheet.

I have tried the protein wafer squares- YUMMY! They are a restricted but are sooooo good!

Those are my favourites too, well except for the tomato soup which I haven't tried.
Waht a great idea to put the "apple" chunks in the cereal. I can't believe how good the zucchini can taste. I put Davinci's green Apple syrup in it.

What I love about the proti-diet oatmeals is that they are not restricted so I can have oatmeal at breakfast and still have a bar later in the day.
Pat

Thanks for putting the nutritional sheets here WUV. Using them saves many questions.

I also really like the Detour bars (orange wrapper) and the EAS Carbadvantege RTD shakes. I've tried the chocolate fudge, dark chocolate, carmel mocha and vanilla...all are really good!

These are definately two items I'll continue to use once I reach goal.

I just got an order from Nashua. It is much easier and more economical to use proteinwell in Canada, but I'm looking toward maintenance and wanted snack items. Nashua has a much bigger snack selection.
I was surprised when I opened the box, I had forgotten what a variety I had ordered. So it will take me quite a while to try one a day, but I'll tell what I think of each product as I go through them. I'm trying to decide which bar I'll try first when snack times rolls around today.

Ohhhh. Definitely let me know which ones you like :) I have been supplementing a few different snack items from Nashua. Not everyday, but every couple of days :) It is helping me save about $20 a week which for me being a graduate student & in the process of buying a house is a pretty big deal!

I have only placed one order so far & this is what I got:

-the caramel nut bars (which come in the exact same packaging and everything as IP) I LOVE THEM!

-the sour cream and onion soy snacks (which also come in the same type of packaging even though my clinic doesn't carry these) They are ok, won't order again.

-The chicken soup. Don't like at all.

-The chocolate drink / pudding mix. I like, but it gives me a bellyache.

I should preface this with: i have a soy allergy so almost all the restricted IP products are off limits for me, so this order was strictly for restricted items. (except for the pancakes)

I also want to try the proti-thin sweet roll mix, but i forgot to order it.


I just received my order from Nashua:

ISS - Oh Yeah! Protein Wafer Bar chocolate peanut butter - Very good
ISS - Oh Yeah! Protein Wafer Bar - Vanilla - Also very good (they come in two bars so you can split them up since they are restricted)

Proti-diet blueberry pancakes - cook better than IP Blueberry pudding, but i think the IP stuff tastes better

Proti-thin Mocha wafer squares (two per serving so you can split them) OMG BUY THESE, DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT 200$...DELICIOUS

Proti thin Coconut almond cookies - just ok, tastes ok but kind of mealy in texture

Proti-diet Chocolate dream bars - Very good tastes like Nestle Crunch/kitkat

Proti-diet Vanilla wafer bar - Also, very good, good texture too

Oh my Sara, I don't think either of us are pleased with several items but different for each of us. I should have written down what people say is really good but I probably won't be ordering again as the snacks I got now will last way into maintenance.

I got some of my favs such as the blueberry pancakes.

I already had some proti-diet chili-lime soy snacks, not a fan but I will eat them till they are gone.

So today I was eagerly anticipating my snack with new things to pick from.
People had been talking about a lemon bar, again I didn't write it down. So I ordered two different kinds. Today I tried the protidiet Lemon Meringue bar. I had checked the ingredients on line but didn't notice it had a lot of sugar alcohol-13 grams. But the worst part is I thought they were awful! It was a rubbery thing with very strong artificial taste. An hour later I still fooel slightly nauseated from the taste. I may be sensitive to sugar alcohols.

The other lemon bar is a lemon crunch. I sure hope that is good because I sure hate messing up my snack time.

I got something else that looks quite interesting- the proti-thin pasta. It looks really good with 7 carbs. it is made from pea protein. I don't know much about that.

After the lemon bar fiasco I am going to make a chicken stir fry for dinner. I need something that I know for sure what is in it.

I love the IP chocolate drink - mix it in my coffee each morning. I have used some alternatives products that have already been mentioned but would like to know if any of you have found a great alternative for the chocolate drink.

hi...
I love EAS carb control chocolate RTD, but usually, the most economical for me is buying the large tub of Body Fortress super advanced whey protein. I have tried the chocolate, oreo, strawberry and chocolate peanut butter. As for a bar, I strictly stick with Pure Protein peanut butter chocolate. Upon researching IP labels (when I was on their products), I found that these products work best for me.
I definietly prefer some IP things to alternatives, I really loved their vanilla RTD and haven't been able to find one as good....oh well. That's where i'm at.

Where is a good place to buy EAS Carb Control shakes?

I know I am beating a dead horse, but why is the difference between the Proti Thin and Proti Diet? I tried some Proti Diet bars YUK! it was the chocolate caramel. I order 3 boxes ( dumb) to get shipping down, now I eat them and don't like them. I loved the Chocolate Caramel Nut IP bar. Any suggestions for an alternative?

Hello everyone. This is a great chat idea. I live in the Netherlands so there is no Ideal Protein availabe here. I am trying to follow the IP protocol using alternatives. I buy a lot of Dietimeal products. Has anyone used these before?
My favorite are banana pudding, caramel pudding, mushroom soup, veg soup. I bought the pancakes but they are a bit omlettey, I will try blueberry proti meal next time. Loving WF ranch, great as a dip for cucumber or on a chicken salad. i buy bbq soy snacks and a delicious chocolate wafer. I'm not sure of their label, maybe they are proti thin. I will check. I also buy protein fruit biscuits 5 in a pack and dark chocolate biscuits 4 in a pack. These are good throughout the day. But this week my weight is going up and down by a pound so I need to check the carb content again. It's only my second week! too early for stalling. I also ate miracle noodles in a chicken stir fry late last night so maybe that's the culprit!! It is fantastic to read of everyones alternative suggestions.

I think that a lot of people purchase them at WalMart. I also thought that I saw them at Sam's Club, but with limited flavors.