I checked it out - it's actually a higher dose than the IP product (1053 mg versus 800 mg in IP's version) - and on a high protein diet more potassium is NOT a good thing for your kidneys and liver. Plus the IP supplement includes some calcium so that would have to be compensated by extra calcium supplement somewhere else.

I'm definitely more comfortable going with the formulas from IP, less thought for me and I can still get them cheaper through Plain Protein

What is everyone's experience with the pasta dinners? Like the ones from Proti-Diet, Proti-Thin and WLS? Are any of those OK on Phase 1? (I'm sure they'd be restricted, maybe to 2x a week like the IP spaghetti?). Are they any good? And did they trigger cravings for you?

Depends on the specific products you mean. For example, these are the carb counts on some of the WLS pasta meals:
Creamy Alfredo - 33g carbs, 1g dietary fiber
Cheesy Mac - 35g carbs, 1g dietary fiber
(these two are WAY too high in carbs for IP - one meal contains almost your whole day's worth of carbs)
Cheese Steak Macaroni - 17g carbs, 3g dietary fiber (14g net carbs)
Spicy Cheese & Pasta - 17g carbs, 2g dietary fiber (15g net carbs)
(the Spaghetti Bolognese is 17g net carbs, which is close to these - I get the Cheese Steak one and use it no more than 2x per week)

You have to look at the nutritional info VERY carefully, and compare stats with the IP products so that you can figure out whether they fit into the protocol.

Good evening! I made my first order for alternatives a couple days ago and they should be coming any day! I am excited to be joining you. I am actually thinking of "phasing off" with my coach first though. I have bought enough IP in the last month to make it another 3 weeks with her. I am torn because I still have a long way to go, but I would like to go through the phasing off protocol with a coach...this will of course put me back a couple weeks at least though...suggestions? I see her tomorrow. Also, if I don't phase off should I be up front tomorrow that I am going to be quiting in 3 weeks or should I just wait until that point. I DO want to use her for the time I have already paid for. I bought a TON of IP food the last month because she makes you buy whole boxes and I like variety.

My suggestion would be to handle this like you would changing to a new medical practice. If I don't want to see my doctor anymore, I just stop making appointments. I don't have to tell my doctor why I'm breaking up with her. So I would continue appointments with your coach for the next 3 weeks, then just stop making appointments and stop going. Wait until you hit your goal weight or get close to it and hang out in the reached-goal and maintenance threads. They may give you all the coaching you need.

Thanks for the suggestion...I don't know why I feel so stressed about "breaking it off".

Scorbett, thank you! The problem is I don't get the boxes at my clinic for most things, only the packets, so I don't have the nutritional counts... I've just been referencing that alternatives comparison Pdf that was posted here. Glad for your feedback.

CortneyMarie, that actually stresses me out a lot too. I'm nervous to even mention it cause I know my coach knows about these boards and might see me. Isn't that silly?!

If you look in the stickies Wuv has posted all the nutrional labels...

As a general guideline I think you want something that has 15-20 grams of protein, 3-5 carbs (Carbs-Fiber-1/2 sugar alcohols (for non restricted and no more than 15ish for restricted) and no more than 150 calories and couple grams of fat. It really is easiest to compare them side by side at first. However, since I am in Canada there are not that many options so I opted for a few different flavors of protein shake mix (which easily fit in the low end of calorie/carb and comparable in protein) and then some bars for special treats from "The Simply Bar" as I have heard good things and they are all natural and pretty low in carbs for a bar. Bars you have to be careful because a lot of them are very high in carb and low in protein.

If you are in the US, there are SO many products on Nashua that are very similar and in fact, many of the reviews reference IP.

Cortney, thank you! I can't believe I didn't check the stickies. Dur.

You can also read all of the nutritional info on the IP products at plainprotein.com - the print is a little small but every product has a snapshot of the nutritional info on the back - usually I have that page and the Nashua page up side by side when I'm figuring stuff out

I'm joining you ladies on the alternatives side. My husband and I are both doing the program and with me being a stay at home mom, the cost was getting crazy. I'm so happy that many of you have been successful with alternatives and you're a huge inspiration. Today is Day 1 for me and I hope to be successful like all of you

ThisGirl, you may find my blog useful. I know Cortney used it. The link is below. I designed it to help those (like myself) who decided to go the alternative product route.
To find the nutritional info re IP products, click on the "About The Ideal Protein Plan" tab, then scroll down and click on "Nutritional Fact Sheet for Ideal Protein Products".

Evepet's site is awesome! She explains almost everything!

So I was upfront with my coach today and told her that once my food was gone I was going to switch to Alternatives. She was totally understanding and good about it but she told me that powdered whey or soy Isolate (in bulk) loses its effectiveness (potency I guess?) over time and that is why its important for it to be in packets. I googled this and this does not seem to be the case, but sites differ in opinion. Has anyone heard of this?

At any rate I finally got to the 130s and 10lbs lost!

Protein powder, vitamins, spices, all lose their potency over time - but if you use a product before it's expiration date you should be fine - whether you choose to buy alternative products that are in single-serve packets or whether you buy shake mix in large jars.