I am at the end of day 3...and I just realized that I ate the pancake for breakfast, and had the dill pickle zippers for a snack (1/2 the pack mid afternoon and 1/2 pack in the evening). I also had an extra packet of the orange drink tonight because I was feeling really deprived.

This morning I used a few drops of maple agave nectar on my pancake as well, and for dinner I added 1 "leg" of imitation crab on top my salad, which only had about 5g of carbs. So, in total I ate probably about 35grams of carbs.

Is it really that bad to do this??? Have I cheated too much already?!


Also, I was wondering if the alternative products that can be used off the Nashua Website are all compatible with IP??? How do I know what is ok and what isn't? Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated as well!

Agave is sugar and will prevent ketosis (or will throw you out, if you're already in ketosis). I don't know how "bad" the rest of what you're asking is - depends on whether it's a rare slip up or a regular habit. I would advise sticking to the plan as much possible, if you want to be successful. You really shouldn't be having more than 1 restricted item per day for at least the first month, as far as I've been told, unless you are unavoidably active. For example, I wait tables on weekends, and have been instructed to have an extra unrestricted item only on those days. The restricted items are even more calories and carbs, and I'm not supposed to have more than one of those, even on the days I have long serving shifts.

The plan is written for only 1 restricted/day the entire time (pretty sure that was a typo highlighted)

Many coaches give people some leeway their first 1-2 weeks. Mine said 3-5 packets the first week while I was getting accustomed to the plan. Coulda been my weight, too, tho she never made the adjustments she should have for that:
201-240 pounds = 4 packets/day
241-280 pounds = 5 packets/day
281-320 pounds = 6 packets/day

Extra packets are necessary for workouts or strenuous jobs.

The biggest cheats I see are the agave, which is just pure sugar and the imitation crab legs. Neither ar OP and should be eliminated going forward.

Check the alternative thread for great advice on which Nashua products are IP compatible

Jmanovich- welcome!


It's probably a good idea to sit a few minutes with a pen, small notepad a rubber band and some yellow stickies along with the info your IP site gave you when you started.

It sounds hokey.. But take each day and plan which packet (researching and getting familiar with the nutritional data for EACH item) and which veg from the select list you will eat for each meal to fulfill the days requirements and then rubber band each day separately. Use the IP info sheets from the IP office. If you didn't get any (ask for them) the internet can also produce a lot of info on each packet initially. Learn the glycemic index of the vegetables, how much sodium, calories and the protein makeup of IP and what you are eating. This is how you begin managing your food day and taking control. If you don't do this, at some point in the future you will fail miserably and have spent a lot of, money along the way. No one else can do this for you. IP is not magic. Once you get a solid grip on this.. Even a time frame with no IP packets is not daunting. You'll know EXACTLY what you can substitute and still be on plan and emergencies become manageable..not catastrophic.

Add a sticky with the vegetables, salad and water goal to every rubber banded day. Each day pullout only what you have decided on for that day. Check to see if a drive by in the course if your day is needed for lettuce and or veggies is In order. i need to do about 3X a week. Also, figure just how you will track water and supplement intake every day. There are gobbs of ideas within this site. But you need a workable plan for you and it must be a plan.. There are plenty of decisions you need to start making to be successful. If I sound regimented.. It is because I am.. And initially its important you are 100% compliant and totally involved. This is your battle at the end of the day. As you read you will see the most successful members on here are very committed to making the choices needed to get it right. Good luck ..your decision to do this was a good one. But you are not done. This is only the beginning.

Keep reading.. And welcome aboard again!

Thanks everyone. I do know that only one restricted item is allowed per day. I guess my questions should have been:

Has anyone accidentally eaten two by accident and did it affect ketosis? I didn't realize the pancake was restricted for whatever reason.

Also, the imitation crab is fish...so I ate a bit of extra protein. Does anyone else "snack" on some extra protein once in awhile? Just curious- not saying I will be making a habit of it. It just seems to me that extra protein won't throw you out of ketosis, just hamper losses due to extra calories and fat. Therefore, if one must cheat- protein would be a "better" cheat than sugar or carbs...anyone agree?

i feel like a cheat is a cheat is a cheat. it's better to stay as close to plan as possible - so that you feel better and learn to make better choices. most of us got heavier because we allowed ourselves "a little more of this" or "just this once" over and over again. stay on plan. keep it simple.

Just FYI - an interesting article about how imitation crabmeat is made, and how it's nutritional values compare to real crab. That 1 bit you put on your salad probably won't affect things much, but in future I'd stay away from it. Read the article to understand why.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/imita...#axzz2b6yMsxex

It's really best to stick as close as possible to the plan... otherwise it's so easy to fall into the temptation of straying away from it.

I also recommend logging your food intake (including the IP packets or any other alternatives you may chose to use) into a site like MyFitnessPal or FatSecret. That way you'll see how each meal measures up re total nutritional values, as well as have an overview of your total day's worth of eating/drinking. I found this information to be invaluable.

Agree all.. In trying to make healthier food choices...there is nothing redeeming about surimi.

In addition, if one needs to avoid gluten, the risk of being exposed ...very high! Note: any processed food that includes food starch in the ingredient list contains a generic carbohydrate and the food industry buys the cheapest source possible in any given tranaction which can vary from batch to batch.

Last week better food labeling laws were passed concerning gluten...but it will be a cold day YKW before my celiac and wheat intolerant family is comfortable believing they have laws that really do cover it all.

soo..imitation crab with carbohydrate filler does not even masquerade as protein.....and I'd say it would be counterproductive to change the program up so soon after you are trying to get rolling. First weeks diligence and adherence is critical. Everyone here knows its not easy... And there are no shortcuts. We applaud your efforts.

I agree with you, however in general- people on plan don't consider the alternatives or subbing egg whites for the omelet pack a cheat....even though its not totally staying on plan or keeping it simple? Just food for thought. It really all boils down to the weight coming off in the end, no matter which way you get there in my opinion.

jmanovich - trust me!!!! I hear ya! It's only the first week for me too! We are all going to have slip ups! I was told by my coach that I could have an extra protein pack if I needed for the first week.

Take each day as it is. Sending big hugs your way! We'll get through this together!!!

Today's a new day!

Ally

This is why I suggest the importance of learning the composition of the packets ...daily life.... emergencies, budget concerns and allergies happen. IP is not magic..they just have all that stuff calculated/figured out and balanced...but each packet is NOT an equal choice.

What do you mean by each packet is not an equal choice? Thanks!

I wish imitation crab meat was just fish. As the article mentions high carb ingredients are added as binders and flavor enhancers... wheat, tapioca, sugar...

I'm following "The Simple Diet" but I read and post here because IPs the closest diet to mine with a very active multi-thread forum.

Even though I could use some of the lower carb brands of fake crab as a shake substitute (approximately the equivalent of a restricted packet), I can't because of the wheat (I'm allergic).

There are wheat-free brands, but they're hard to find and they wouldn't be any more IP friendly as a protein because of the other high carb additives.

You have to be careful of preformed hamburger patties and vegetarian burgers too, because high-carb fillers are often added.