I am very interested in this diet, but also verry concerned about the artificial sweetners in most, if not all of the IP packets ! Has anyone be able to do this diet without using the packets?
http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-sweeteners.html

Yes, many of us are using alternative products. You can get shakes and bars at GNC, Walmart, Costco, Sams club. There is a thread that talks about alternatives but they use sugar substitutes as well.

Also I believe that most of the IP products do not use aspartame, as we are not allowed to have it on this diet. If you use alternatives you will need to check out each one to see what type of sweetener it uses,

Look in the sticky's there is a thread about alternative ways to do IP using other types of food. http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...deas-tips.html

Research the site, the questions you are asking are in some of the titles of some of the threads

Elizabethjk, I'm not sure where you're getting your info, but Acesulfame potassium is NOT aspartame (they are completely different chemically), and IP products do NOT contain any aspartame.

The sweeteners IP uses include acesulfame potassium (17 out of 50+ products), sucralose (30 products), organic brown rice syrup, organic agave syrup, and good old fashioned cane sugar. In most IP products, sucralose or acesulfame k are the last or second to last ingredients, so the actual amount is less than 2%, as the labels indicate. And if you think about what you are taking OUT of your diet while you're on the IP program, the tiny amount of artificial sweetener in the products is more than offset by the overwhelming benefits of the program.

Also, the IP boxes do not list the amounts of acesulfame potassium or sucralose in mg format, so where are you getting those numbers from?

Elizabethjk, Reading the first link you provided saw the author, Dr. Janet Hull, in her about page, "Dr. Hull has been the guest on numerous television and radio talk shows such as "Dreamland" and "Coast To Coast" with Whitley Streiber and Art Bell" When I saw Art Bell I stopped reading as I heard the Aflac Duck saying "Quack Quack Quack"

Beth - good point on the two chemicals and a reminder we all need to fact check first. I for one would rather use them some and lose the weight now, I don't plan on living on IP for the rest of my life. Doing IP will be a step to a lifestyle change, part of which was eliminating diet sodas.

Beth, I actually got the numbers from a link here on these pages under IP alternatives. Food Altnerative Ideas & Tips where there is a link for a PDF file which opens and lists many IP Foods and the ingredient list for each food.
I don't know for sure if they are in fact true IP foods, but was directed to the link, opened it, and the foods sure sound like they are part of the selections on plan. Who knows what is truly fact or fiction on these boards??
I am trying to learn all I can and make an educated decision for myself. I appreciate yours and everyone else who takes the time to answer my questions and concerns. Bottom line is we all want to be healthier (and Lighter!) Thanks very much.

You're very welcome, and yes, the bottom line is lighter bottoms. I found the link you were talking about, and those look like legitimate IP Nutrition Facts, but they are the CANADIAN ones...in the US, Ideal Protein foods can sometimes contain different ingredients due to FDA compliance, so the nutrition facts are different. For instance, in Canada, the banana pudding has 90 calories, 1g fat, 10mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 1g carbs & 19g protein, but in the US, it has 80 calories, 0 fat, 15mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 2g carbs & 18g protein.

Also, while there is a lot of accurate information being posted on this forum, there is a lot of misinformation being posted as well, especially in the "IP Phases" thread, so you'll want to be careful.

The best way to do this program is to go to an actual IP clinic, use real IP foods, and get instruction from an IP coach...it's the only way to ensure that you're getting accurate information and the support you need to get from Phase 1 to Phase 4. This forum is an excellent way to augment that...there are some amazing people on here, and having more cheerleaders is always a good thing!

However you choose to do it though, this is, bar none, the best program out there. It doesn't just make you look and feel better...it actually makes you better. Other than hearing the word on episodes of "House," I never thought about my pancreas (or even knew where it was, to be honest), but I am definitely giving it props now!

http://www.nutritionexpress.com/arti...?articleid=120

The first 4 hits on google have basically the same information on ace K, I just grabbed this one as it actually states the results of the lab tests conducted to get approved by the FDA.

Acesulfame k is an artificial sweetner. It is not the same as aspartame. However, aspartame is sometimes mixed with acesulfame K to cut the bitterness. The link you provided does list ingredients in mg, however the capp for instance has 70 mg of acesulfame K, and 10 mg of sucralose in 26 Grams of product. I assume the sucralose is used to cut the bitterness of the ace k. Those amounts are still small. The internet is full of bad information and you are also guilty of passing that information along by emphatically stating that ace k is aspartame. Do your research and speak with a doctor and make your decision. I hope you reach a decision that you are comfortable with. There are other diets out there. I'm sure you can find one that suits you. Good Luck!!
In the past, I have always researched diets because I thought I wanted to go on one. I always found some reason why I shouldn't: either it seemed unhealthy, or the food was too expensive, or too restrictive or too obscure, or it was Wednesday, etc... I finally quit making excuses and made a commitment. No diet will work for someone who's truly not ready to succeed. I really hope that doesn't sound too harsh, but it's just my honest opinion.

There is no aspartame and it is possible to do the diet without using the products containing artificial sweeteners it just limits your food options is all. I don't have the list in front of me right now but there are a number of products that do not contain any artificial sweeteners.
I agree with others though that this is a temporary thing...The long term benefits of losing this weight far exceed any negative effects the sweeteners may have...although I really don't feel that they are any worse on the body then processed sugar is (aspartame excluded from that)