Thanks, Susie. I'll check out Nashua Nutrition's site.

Jackie

I believe that it's been mentioned in the Alternatives thread; however, I thought I'd also post it here. Costco has cases of "Premier Protein" chocolate shakes (18 RTDs) for $28. Each 325 mL shake has 160 cal, 3g fat, 5g carbs, 3g fibre (2g net carbs) and 30g protein. It also sells boxes of mixed "Pure Protein" bars (12 per box) for $14 and mixed "Detour" bars (15 per box) for $16. I've used all of these products rather than IP comparables (which were costing me $3.75 each) with much success!

I have been using the Premier Nutrition shakes since July, but I can't find any bars at costco! I have a shake everyday for breakfast and I swear I wake up looking forward to it! YUM! I have walked the aisles so many times looking for bars and I can't find any anywhere! Would they count as a restricted? Because I don't use any restricteds, so if they are then I will just stop looking. I went to Premier Nutritions website and they also have vanilla flavour but I haven't been able to find it at 3 different costcos that I went to.

The Pure Evil bars, oops I mean Pure Protein, are not in the pharmacy area in 3 Costco locations I've visited. I've found them in the aisles where the candy is -- the rows running between electronics and pharmacy closest to the cash. I think I've seen them in the 2nd or 3rd row, closer to the electronics side in 2 of the stores.

Why do I call them pure evil bars? Because they totally stimulate my craving chemistry. I will need to have a time-lock vault to which someone else has the combination before I buy another box of PP bars. The IP bars provoke the same response, so if you've got a control/craving problem with IP bars I don't recommend these.

They would count as a restricted ... one flavour (Chocolate deluxe) has
180 calories
4.5 g fat
17 g carb
20 g protein.

The protein:carb ratio is higher than an IP bar, but the calories (160) and carbs (15) are higher than IP bars which are on average 160 calories, 4-5 g fat, 15 carbs, 15 g protein.

Thanks. I will just stop looking for them then. If I were to have a restricted it's usually the chocolate soy puffs anyways... easy to sneak into the movie theatre!

Hi All,

Just thought I'd mention a product I found in the pharmacy section at METRO (formerly Dominion) grocery store. It's called "ProtiLife". They're in a pink box.

There is quite a wide product line, including soup, bars, shakes, etc. Some of the bars are pretty high in carbs, but the PEANUT BUTTER bar is similar to IP--160 cal, 16g protein, 16g carbs and 6 g fat. They're pretty good, and cost $9.99 for a box of 5, so basically $2 each, which sure beats the IP price, and the convenience factor is nice too.

I've also tried the shakes and they're okay. Just okay, because they are designed to be mixed with milk, so a bit on the thin side. They are smaller servings, and a bit higher in carbs: 60 calories, 9 g. protein, 4 g carbs (-1 g fibre) to be mixed with 200ml water. I think they're a good option for a snack. The flavour is quite good, so you could always add a little extra protein powder and water for a larger serving and bigger protein hit. BUT at only $5.00 for a box of 5 they are a bargoon!!

BTW, just a reminder, Metro is also the store that carries WF products.

Jackie

Hello Canadian IPers,
I am new to posting but have been reading the posts for months. I am in need of help, I have been doing IP for 6 weeks, doing well 23LB however.....my bank account is suffering HUGE, I still have about 40LBs to go. I think I have made the decision to see if I can do this with alternative products. I see many of you have been doing this and I would welcome any meal plans that you have been following and if you could let me know if it is still working well for you.
I would appreciate any information. I have been reading the posts and I have seen the shakes at Costco, do you replace 1 or 2 meals with these????? I will also be in the US in the next few weeks...yes not only did i have to get through one Thanks Giving but I have to get through 2!!!! I crrently use 3 packs per day with IP.

Thank you all soooooo much.

You absolutely can follow Ideal Protein without buying the IP packets. The packets just make things easier because IP has done the work for you. To do it on you're going to have you use your brain and research skills to understand why IP works the way it does and to find products that are similar to /same as IP's. You're going to have to pay attention to what works and what doesn't. You'll probably save money, in exchange you'll have to invest time and attention.

Replacing the supplements is a fair bit more challenging. I'd suggest that you keep your bottles and go to a health food store and ask some one to help you.

Have you read the Alternatives sticky thread? If not, it's a good place to start. If yes, then read it with a note pad next to the computer so you can jot down product names and ideas.

For breakfast I used to have 1 egg + 1/4 cup of egg whites, the kind that come in a carton.

You can get bulk soy nuts from bulk food stores. 1/3 cup = the restricted packets. There are close-enough to IP bars you can buy; treat them as restricted packets as well. Suggestions are above in this thread and in the alternatives thread.

I personally wouldn't have more than 1 of the Costco shakes per day, except occasionally on a very busy no-time-to-cook-or-go-get-something day. They have vitamins added and I wouldn't want to have to mess around with too many calculations. Another thought: you could try a flavoured whey powder shakes that are designed to dissolve in water. If you feel like experimenting with them, you could probably play with xanthan gum to find a ratio of powder to water to xanthan that produces pudding.

You could also do a phase 2 plan where you have food protein (instead of packet protein) with your veggies and salad. I don't know that it would slow you down that much. Several people continued to lose on phase 2.

bennic If you live near a Dr. Bernstein Clinic, their shakes are nearly identical, down to the packaging as IP. I have been using them consistently now. They are $12.00/6, they come in chocolate, mocha and vanilla. They have many other products too, but the majority have aspartame which is still a no-no. However, their CHICKEN SOUP, TOMATO BASIL, OATMEAL PORRIDGE, are all compatible. They are $16/7packets. They also carry the "Caramel Delight" bar which actually is identical to the same one by the same name as IP.
I replace only one IP packet with the Costco shake, but I tend to have it in the am, since it keeps me full a tad longer.

Hope that helps a little Good luck!

** forgot about supplements. I was able to find a comparable multi vit, but there is nothing I have found, or asked around at health stores, that compares to IP supplements. I do stick with those, I find them worth the expense.

Is everyone finding the Costco RTD shakes in the pharmacy section? I am not having any luck...maybe ours doesn't carry it

Yes, I've been in 3 different Costco locations and in each one have found the Premier Nutrition drinks in the Pharmacy section. They're packaged in a cardboard box; it's not a flat with shrink-wrap. I hope that helps you find them.

Hey Pinky! Another Saskie girl here!!!! Live outside of Saskatoon, a couple of hours away!!! YEAH!! Found another local!

Hi mompattie!! So glad to see you on here. There are a few of us now - we're a small, but very determined group . I started in August with a clinic a couple of hours out of Saskatoon, but have since found a wonderful coach here in the city. I used to buy 3 weeks of IP food at a time, but love the convenience now of seeing my coach every week. Much more motivational for me!!

Your stats look great - at least 25 pounds so far!!! When did you start?

So I searched my cabinets and found sugar free syrups (sweetened with Splenda). No carbs, no cals, no fat, no sugar for 2 tbsp. I have caramel, vanilla and chocolate. So I tried the vanilla pudding, mixed it as usual, and added some caramel syrup as well as cinnamon. It's delicious!! Thanks everyone for your suggestions!!

Thank you, Im Svelting!! I found the drinks at Costco...perfect!!