Alternative Inputs & Information
 

Hi All!

I know there are various threads related to alternative reviews, but as I was going through them I found it difficult to keep track of the reviews amongst the other chatter that had developed. I have been using 100% IP products for the last 7 weeks & a coach. Due to a change in finances I am switching to 100% alternatives & no coach. I am pretty nervous about this as I have had some wonderful success so far. My sister and I put together an order over the weekend for Nashua, and the products are set to arrive on Wednesday. Below are the items we've ordered, for most of them, I tried to find products that were similar to the IP products I used regularly. Just wondering if anyone has used these products and how they compared? Also, if anyone used them and found them awful, what were some of the tricks you used to make them edible? If there are products here that you used that were not good, what would you recommend instead?

HealthSmart Cold Drink - Chocolate Drink
HealthSmart Oatmeal - Maple Brown Sugar
HealthSmart Pancakes - Blueberry
HealthSmart Pudding & Shake - Cheesecake
HealthSmart Smoothie - Berry Delicious
Proti-Thin Hot Drink - Hot Chocolate
Proti-Thin Protein Bar - Caramel Nut
Proti-Thin Snack - Sour Cream & Onion Soy Snacks
Proti-Thin Soup - Broc N Cheese
Proti-Thin Soup - Cream of Chicken
ProtiDiet Omelette - Bacon & Cheese
ProtiDiet Protein Bar Square - Raspberry Dark Chocolate
Weight Loss Systems Pudding - Lemon
Weight Loss Systems Smoothie - Berry Yogurt
Weight Loss Systems Smoothie - Strawberry Yogurt

I would get the ProtiDiet chicken soup instead of protithin- creamier and less grainy. I wasn't personally too big on the PD omelet but it wasn't bad. Proti Thin sour cream and onion soy snacks- delicious! My favorite proti thin snack is the vanilla wafer.

That's all I've tried so far from your list, but I see a few on there that I should be able to tell you soon (I'm getting the box today from Nashua).

Good luck!

I've had the HealthSmart Pudding & Shake - Cheesecake and will order it again as soon as I'm out! I usually put it in the freezer for 15-20 min before I eat and I really think I'm eating Cheesecake :)

I tried putting Cinammon on it just cause -- will not be doing that again!

Thanks Djs! I actually meant to order the proti-diet chicken soup! Darn it! There are more carbs in the proti-thin one, I'll have to rememeber that for next time. The other two items you have tried are for my sister, so I will let her know.

Good to know, this was one I was worried about because it is so different from IP. I will try the freezer trick, when the puddings are warm they are pretty yuck!

Agree with the cheesecake. I also love the Proti dream bar, like a Nesle crunch, I feel like I am misbehavin'. lol

I drink the proti-thin hot chocolate every day. It's my favorite.

The healthsmart berry delicious smoothie is not as good as the IP one, but it's still tasty. Makes great cookies using rainbows recipe.

I didnt like the healthsmart cheesecake at all. I ordered it after seeing some posts on it, but was really dissapointed. I think I used them to make lemon pudding cakes.


FYI- The proti-thin chocolate soy snacks are identical to the IP ones.
I also recommend the healthsmart Rocky Road bars.

I've used the HealthSmart (Health Wise) brand of omelettes, they are not as good a consistency as the IP ones - I bought some ProtiDiet omelettes to try, but I think that's one product IP really got right, others seem too "powdery". But it does manage to scratch the "itch" for a more real breakfast if I add a bunch of veggies to it :)

Two things ....
 

Oh yeah! I LOVE those chocolate soy snacks!

I am excited about the berry smoothie after your comment, I use the wildberry IP one to make cookies and for breakfast about three times a week. So as long as it's tasty I'm good. Thanks!

Thanks Scorbett, that one is for my sister, so I will pass that along to her.

Angiebaby, that sheet would be fantastic, please share it if you can!

I haven't been able to find a good alternative to the IP supplements. I had issues with the big C and just didnt feel all that great using other brands of supplements.

I went back to the IP supplements and order them on plainprotein.com.

I add some egg whites to the omlette mixes, along with veggies and lots of herbs. It turns out good.

Hi Angie: I'd love that word doc

Word doc
 

If you can get it loaded into Google Docs you can also post the link to the page here. That's what I did for the spreadsheet in the 30 by Thanksgiving challenge.

Don't know if you're familiar with Google Docs, but that's another way to post it. I use that for Rainbow's recipe book. It allows you to keep it updated and each time the person clicks on the link, they get the most current copy. Also, if you have Word 2007 or newer, you can save as and change the format to PDF and it will create and save a PDF for you. Just some tips I've learned along the way.

Molly

Hey, scorbett, we're on the same wave length

Just placed my first order through Nashua. Wow, I feel like I am cheating on my coach. I am praying I will be fine on alternatives. My losses are slowing down as it is. Maybe because I am down to the last 20 pounds? Excited to try the cocomint pudding and cheesecake pudding!

Cocomint is my FAVORITE!!! Love it as pudding or a shake!

hello :)

I ordered it because you recommended it to me once. Thanks in advance! I am sure I will enjoy it. :)

You'll do fine. I moved from IP to alternatives 7 months ago and haven't slowed. There's more variety being on alternatives, too. Just ask questions.

Molly

Take 2 ...
 

Let's see if this works, size-wise. I've never used Google docs ... is it complicated?

Ooooh, got it with .pdf to start at least!!

That works!

Yeah - it's funny, and I don't know if it's just a coincidence and I was hitting a stride in the diet anyway, but since I've switched to mostly alternatives my losses have been a LOT more consistent and not below 2lb a week.

Another one "bites the alternative!"
 

I've been reading the alternative threads most of the afternoon, and I'm ready to join. I went to Costco, and bought 1 18-pk of the chocolate premiere Protein shake, as I am a choco-holic! I'll keep reading all the inputs and soon place my order, thanks!

Great document Angie -- thanks!!!

Scorbett - I haven't noticed any difference either (and maybe even a bit better) since I switched a month ago - and I was down into my last 15 pounds which are painfully slow! Wish I'd kept better track though of the weekly weights....but by the time it occurred to me I couldn't remember them :)

How do you make into a shake- I know it has been discussed before but if I try to search I will never find it. I have a box of this at home that I am being lazy about- I am spoiled by RTD's! My husband and I have agreed to plow through the stuff we have at home before we order anything else- I find that we go through the yummier stuff pretty quickly, and the things we don't love tend to linger. Need to clean house!

Great place to start- I love these, have them for breakfast every day.

If you want pudding, use 4oz cold water. If you want a shake, use 8oz cold water (sometimes I'll use 8oz water and then blend with some ice to make a frappe!). Easy peasy!

Okay, Molly said ask questions

Which Alternative brand is the closest in taste/texture to the following
IP Chicken Soup
IP Mushroom Soup
IP Vanilla Pudding packet
IP Chocolate Pudding packet

I've read there are some with weird consistencies. So what do you all think?

Did you read AngieBaby41's PDF back one page, she's made a collection of comments on some of the different products. There's also a thread that was just closed (over 500 posts) that has lots and lots of comments (probably some AngieBaby compiled). http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...t-reviews.html. Remember, each person's taste buds differ, too. Some stuff people love I hate.

Molly

Thanks AngieBaby!! That is so helpful.
Pat

I usually order a combination of Health Smart and Proti Diet, you do need to be careful on some of the Health Smart and Proti Thin, some of them have aspartame, my coach carrries "Healthwise" products along with IP, it is exactly the same as Health Smart, but cheaper.

Yum, Health Smart Rocky Road, Marshmallow, and the Peanut Butter bars are the best!

Try the Nashua Mocha shake and vanilla wafer bars...those are my favorites! Soooo good :)

I have not found a chicken soup that we like as much as the ip one. The protidiet one was ok, but dh wanted his ip soup back! We both eat it every day for lunch, so it's worth the extra $ for the taste and texture, even with added veggies and spices.

I like the ProtiDiet cream of chicken, but then again, I haven't tried the IP one.

I also have the ProtiDiet chicken noodle, but haven't tried that one yet... will report back.