I bought a packet today i can't wait to try it tonight!

Unfortunately, a majority of products designed to be gluten-free just replaced the wheat with various starches that tend to result in even sharper insulin spikes when consumed. This isn't the case with all gluten-free products but check the ingredients first if you are buying for WL instead of allergy reasons.

Well, for me it would mean using the IP products that are GF (mostly non-Restricteds). Other than that, not using "fake" GF foods, rather, just wholesome foods without grains (or added starch), as indicated by the protocol.

I just made the Rotini. I sauteed mushrooms, green onion, bell peppers and mixed with some homemade pesto (EVOO, basil paste, garlic) mixed this together and put over al dente noodles. Pretty good for change-of-pace. Probly not something I'll want frequently (esp if I'm considering cutting out gluten-containing IP items!). I prefer my restricted at lunch - bigger portion. I'll be making a salad now...

Lisa my coach would not allow me to have any of the restricted items on Phase 1 so I never tried the bars, spaghetti, etc and just stuck with all non-restricted. While I cannot compare my losses to others as we are all very different, I will say that since 10/05, I have lost 23lbs which may provide a frame of reference. That being said, that included two weeks of phase 2, and 10 days of phase 3, and three days of maintainence before I jumped back on Phase 1 on Sunday. I usually drank the choc drink mix for b-fast, a pudding for lunch, and the orange drink for a snack. I think that if I were to have had any restricteds in Phase 1, my losses may not have been as good. However, I did eat the oatmeal in Phase 2. I say give it a shot and see if your losses increase.

So, your coach did not follow the IP Phase 1 protocol? I'm confused. It is very clear on the P1 sheet. My issues are with what I have learned about gluten, NOT with the carb counts in restricted items, which are clearly part of the IP protocol. I may add a packet to "make up" the carbs (or make sure I'm having carb-heavier veggie choices from the veggie list) during my experiment)

Actually, unless you are in the minority of people who are extremely carb sensitive, there's no benefit to avoiding restricteds in Phase 1. In fact, some who have tried to increase their losses by eliminating restricteds saw a DECREASE in losses. Most bodies do better having some carbs.

As far as I knew she had me following the protocol until I was reading on here that people were having bars etc in phase 1. I don't think you have to eat a resticted item each day but I could be wrong. I know that some coaches tweek the plan a bit. My sheet indicated three IP protiens and one dinner with a list of approved items. There was no mention of restricted items.

Hmmmm, maybe I should go get some restricteds next week because they always look delicious! Thanks for the info Scorbett.

Here is the IP Phase 1 protocol sheet (no tweaking from any coaches :))

http://www.idealtogo.com/Library/Fase%201%20-%20ITG.pdf

Thanks Lisa. I will compare it with mine. I can already see the supplement recomendations are different.

I used one of my pasta packets today. It was pretty good. A little like wheat pasta before they perfected wheat pasta. I just put some evoo and salt and pepper because my baby is teething and won't give me a moment to get fancy with meals right now. The possibilities are pretty endless. I really like having a pasta option.

welp...the gastric distress (no more TMI necessary) I have experienced this afternoon has confirmed my plans to eliminate blatant gluten (durum wheat flour in the rotini, for example) in IP packets

Luckily my coach will allow me to exchange packets so I'll take my other one back.

Ok guys:
Bought the pasta and the tomato basil WF sauce( btw I hate all the WF stuff) 8 oz lean ground beef plus Sautéed garlic, zucchini, peppers in evoo and mixed with pasta. Coach says a tsp of grated parm in phase 1 is fine( she lost 120 lbs on IP) delish and not restricted! Actually worked for 2 meals cuz I couldn't finish so I had 1/2 for lunch the next day! Brilliant!!!!

Wow the pasta sound great. Second week here and I am sure I will want to try it soon! Thanks for all of the info.