Hello everyone, I am on week 5 of my ideal protein journey. I have lost a total of 15 lbs with the fourth week a gain of less than a pound. I was so frustrated but alson knew I have major issues with having no BM in a week. My question is in regards to snacks. I like to have my restricted food as a snack and I would like to split it up, have half at 10a.m. and the other at 3p.m. Is this causing issues for weight loss by my body needed to deal with two times of putting out insulin rather than 1? What have you all found in your expierence? Thank you!

hi Sherah, you mention no BM in a week...is that bowel movement? If so, you should really focus on that. Going a week without a BM is not healthy, no BM after 3 days is considered constipation. If this is the case, increase your water intake, and consider taking a stool softener and/or laxative such as colace or senna.

I split my snacks up 10am and 3pm, too! My coach said it was a great idea.

My coach is adament that I do not have a restricted item after noon. I have not questioned this as it reminded me of the nutrition counseling my dad got when he was diagnosed with diabetes. He was told to have his few carbs always in the morning.

I would definitely focus on having a BM. There are plenty of remedies, natural and otherwise. You must be feeling terrible

As for your snack, my coach said that is fine. I split my food up over almost 24 hours because 1-2 days a week I work nights and I'm up for a long period of time.

Good luck!

I was always told to have bedtime snack to fuel ketosis overnight. Often I split my snack into halves and reserve 1 for bedtime. At one point, because I was hungry, I would split my snack into thirds.

Lettuce is free and helps with BM, I get anxious if I don't go after the second day....:/. Try the floralax?

My snack was restricted and always in the evening...the entire time I was on phase 1, I don't think it truely matters. Having said that, part of this diet is your relationship with your coach, so you should listen to him/her.

I drank a bottle of magnesium citrate, that did the trick and then some!

The snack split seems to be split among IP, depending on coach.

Thank you everyone for your input.

Hmmm I'm a bit worried.. I always eat my restricted bar before bed! Is this a horrible idea??!!
I am only on day 6 but I've had a bar 5 out of the 6 days! Eeek!!

Also, are the premade vanilla puddings restricted?

Good luck everyone and have a nice weekend!

My coach said that if it helps you to stay OP, then it is fine. Another coach did mention that a high protein snack before bed is good, but the higher carb snacks (restricted) before bed may inhibit fat loss while you sleep. Sorry this isn't more scientific, this was a while ago and I can't remember the facts. But, I did change my restricted from before bed to an afternoon snack (3-4 PM).
Puddings are not restricted, but I'm not familiar with the premade puddings.

Every coach seems to give their own opinion, but there is nothing in the IP literature about when and how to eat the food, just eat it!

Sheena, i wouldnt worry AT ALL about your restricteds, or when you eat them. They are a part of the program, just have 1 a day, whenever works best for you. We all have our own schedules and lives we need to learn how to make IP work for us.