Some folks started a Canada thread where this is discussed

Has anyone used the promaxLS bars? I picked some up while in NY a couple weeks ago at target ($5.99 for a box of 6!) and LOVE them. I tried looking them up online, and found several places to order, but the nutritional value on the ones I found online are way different than the ones I got. The ones online are definitely not OP.

Thanks Lisa..

Premier Protein choc shakes
 

I found Premier Protein at Walgreens in a four pack

My Nashua order comes in today :carrot:
I'm almost out of cinnamon and spice oatmeal so more will arrive just in time. This time, I am also trying the alternative chili (can't remember if I ordered proti-thin or proti-diet, as the stats were different when I compared them and ordered the most compliant one). The IP chili has become one of my staples and I have been hesitant to give it up. Thankfully, alternatives are cheap enough where I don't feel so bad about experimenting. If I don't find it as good as the IP, at least I can use it in other ways (chili "taco" salad, etc).
I also ordered the caramel soy puffs and can't wait to try those out as well.

Spoke to soon - I misread. My Nashua order will be delivered tomorrow. Too bad because I received an email this morning about free shipping today only for orders over $49 and I was going to place another order after I tried the chili. Oh well....... Now I need to replan my packets for lunch and snack. Was hoping to be trying something new today.

I found a new grocery store item that fits into Ideal Protein, Medifast, and The Simple Diet guidelines for packets/shakes.

85g (1/2 c) shelled soy beans (Archer Farms brand from Target) also called Mukimame

120 calories (actually only 100 usable calories because the cal count on the bag includes the fiber calories which don't "count" for humans because we can't digest them)

4.5g fat
8g carb
6g fiber
2g net carbs
12g prorein

Except IP doesn't allow so know they aren't on the p1 sheet

Edamame would be listed as a protein source on the P1 sheet if allowed on IP. Sometimes there are other reasons for disallowing something. IP is an alkaline program. Coaches? Input?

I specifically asked my coach about edamame and was told it is definitely not allowed on phase 1. Too many carbs.

It makes absolute sense that official IP would ban them, because

1. They're too high in fat, calories, and carbs for a vegetable

2. They have too many carbs and not enough protein to count as a protein

And of course

3. They can't be allowed as a packet, because officially only packets count as packets on IP.

Since IP has a soynut packet (right?), these should be an acceptable packet substitute. After all, these are essentially soynuts without any seasonings or additives before they have been roasted, baked, dried or however the soynuts are processed.


In my own plan (The Simple Diet) the soybeans (as long as no caloric ingredients are added) can count as a freggie serving (which are unlimited unless you find weight loss inhibitted), but I prefer to choose the lower calorie vegetables and occasionally berries, so to me, it makes more sense to use them as a packet/shake analog.

Personally, because of the nutrient profile and calorie content, I use them (and soynuts when I find a low-fat variety) as a protein bar (my plan's restricted equivalent - optional and to be eaten no more than 7-8 per week, that is about once a day at most).

I do this, because even though they have only 2 net carbs, they are easy to overeat (in my opinion), especially the soynuts.

I know alternatives are always a judgement call, so decide for yourself whether fresh or dry roasted soybeans are a packet equivalent (but don't use them as a vegetable or protein, for the reasons stated above).

I've lost a lot of weight following the rules...even the stupid ones.
I did a pretty crappy job of making them up as I went along and trying to stay on a plan. Lots of justifying was happening.

I'm sticking to the rules. They work for me.

I was not aware that IP has soy nuts. Did I miss them? I have had the soy PUFFS which are NOT soy nuts at all. They are soy "powder" (for lack of a better word) flavored and baked to puff up into a tasty treat.

So not sure about any soy nuts!

According to a Nutritional Fact Sheet I printed out from a link on 3FC (on which the Ideal Protein logo appears) IP either has (or has had in the past)

Garlic & Onion Soy Nuts
BBQ Soy Nuts
Sour Cream & Onion Soy Puffs
BBQ Soy Puffs
Chocolate-coated Soy Crisps
Sea Salt & Vinegar Ridges


All of which are labeled (on my copy) as restricted

The Garlic & Onion and BBQ soy nuts are still listed (with photos) on idealprotein.com in the ready-to-serve product page, so I'm guessing they are still available.

Both are listed as containing 140 calories, 11g protein, 9g carb, 4g fiber 7g of fat. The extra calories, fat, and carbs (compared to the edamame) no doubt come from added fat and seasoning and accounts for them being restricted.

Which of course means using absolutely no alternative products, but if a person wants or needs to use alternative products, they have no choice but to break the rules because alternatives have no place in the official IP plan. So if a person is using alternatives, there's no choice but to judge their alternatives according to the nutrient profile and whether or not they contain similar ingredients to IP products.

If soy in itself were banned for a reason other than it's unsuitability as a vegetable or dinner protein, it would seem quite odd that it's used in so many IP products.

Since Medifast and Ideal Protein packets meet The Simple Diet guidelines, I often read and post in all three forums, though I try to be careful to only post in the Alternative thread.

To bad there isn't a more multi-plan-inclusive or plan neutral spot to post packet substitute recipes and people could judge according to their own plan.

I thought the Ideal Protein and Medifast Alternative threads fit the bill, but probably not.

I personally find that when I'm not losing, it isn't because I made a less than perfect substitution (as long as it fits into the fat, protein, calorie guidelines), but rather because I chose to eat ENTIRELY off plan.