Fellow IP'ers.

I am currently using 3 IP Products daily and using 2 additional non IP protein drinks daily to make sure I am getting my req protein for my current weight.

I will be switching over to using alternative products pretty soon due to cost and the realization that it can be done with much much cheaper cost products.

I have a good list of alt products already via the Alt Thread, but does anyone know what the max amount of carbs a day you should not go over is? Obviously there are carbs in the 4 cups of veggies a day and in the lettuce via the salads, (I think) but what is the max amount if you are looking at 3 alternative products you should stay under a day?

Some of the pure protein bars have a much higher carb count then the IP bars but are obviously way cheaper. Hopefully there is a unofficial number of carbs a day you should stay under.

thanks,
JP

I estimate from the packets etc. the carb count is about 20g of carbs per day or less. Then whatever you get from veggies. For my protein I use GNC's Amp Wheybolic Protein 60 mix, it runs about $100 for 102 servings, which I only use twice per day, although I'm strongly considering switching to three servings / day. I'm also alternative and I experiment a lot with products. I haven't done the EAS shakes just because my local store charges about $9 for a box of 4, which irks the heck out of me. I can check SAM's or WALMART but I tend to cringe when I go there.

Thanks Kaypix. I had looked at the IP packets last night and saw about 20g as well. I was just curious if anyone knew of a specific number to shoot for. It probably boils down to you try certain products and if you are more towards 30g and still losing weight then you are ok. USMCVet mentioned he uses ISOPURE for additional protein also. I will have to look at your protein mix. Walmart does sell the EAS drinks for $4.95 for 4 here in Texas at least.

JP

Anywhere between 30-40 grams is good!

The GNC Mix has 60g of protein in one serving, I split one serving into 3 though, so if I start going at that "hardcore" 3x per day (right now my third packet is a wonder slim soup or pudding etc.) I'd be getting 60g of protein and 2g of carbs total for the day from packets/powders. I only buy it the first week of the month, and have a discount card so it's 20% off, so I can buy two bottles/boxes of it for roughly $115, unless it's on BOGO then it goes down to about $85 for two bottles/boxes of it.

Kaypix - so are you doing IP with only Alternatives?

thanks,
JP

I wonder if I can use Garden of Life RAW Protein? I have a few bottles of this I bought earlier in the year. Has less then 1g of Sugar and 3g of Carbs.

I use the Powder Isopure as well and it is by far the best tasting choc I have had so far! I also think it clumps less than other powders as well.

I eat around 18-20 carbs a day not including veggies..

I love supreme protein bars too! They have all kinds of delicious texture in them.

I've done alternatives the whole time I've been on IP. ^_^

I've tried tons of powder from walmart,gnc, target, vitamin shoppe etc.. and the Isopure is my fave. powder wise. EAS is my fave for RTD.

Thanks Jonsgurl - Can you give me an idea of what you eat for breakfast, lunch and snack via the alternatives you use? I like routine and am curious what you do since you have been using alternatives since the beginning.

thanks,
jp

It certainly looks like it would be an equivalent when mixed with water.
Profile is similar to an IP pudding.

How does that stuff taste? Did you get the chocolate? Is it like the IP chocolate drink mix or a totally different taste?

I'm looking at it for Phase 4.

LOL Well I did not know they had a "Chocolate" version. I just went to their site and saw they did. I used to mix it with chocolate Almond milk ( unsweetened) and add stevia to it. It is not bad, but it is a bit chalky if oyu do not mix it well. If done in a blender for a smoothie you probably wont notice.

JP

I try to make sure I'm under 40g a day, counting everything. Veggies, lettuce, stevia packets, etc..
Some of you saying 20g are freaking me out haha am I eating more carbs than I should??

Good to know. I could go with the plain and experiment.

FYI, if you wanted to mix it with the chocolate Almond milk (assuming you use Almond Breeze Brand), I think you can still use it.

The profile for the two ingredients looks like 19g protein, 6g carbs/4g fiber, 4.5g fat. That puts the calories at 125. Now you are more in the IP Chocolate Drink Mix Zone (120 calories, 18g protein, 9g carbs, 4g fiber, 1g fat) and a typical dieter can have 3 a day of those. The fat is just a tiny bit high compared to most IP non-restricteds but it shouldn't be too bad, unless you plan on having 6 a day of them, and even then just lessen the oil to 1 teaspoon instead of 2 teaspoons, and considering your current ever dwindling size, I wouldn't worry too much about the oil. (The original book had 2 TABLESPOONS).

Do you try to stay under 40g total carbs or net (carbs minus fiber)?
I think the 20g is for the just the IP products, not counting carbs in vegetables and lettuce (figure 15 for a typical restricted, 4 for a pudding and 1 for soup in the IP example). You can follow IP 100% and be well over 40g total carbs.