than if I got a whey protien mix and used that in place of the IP drinks and ate the allowed foods? I have gluten allergies and the very few foods that they have that are gluten free are not to my liking. So I am paying 80 bucks a week for 21 servings of whey protein when I can go to GNC and get 32 servings for 20 bucks... that makes a huge differnce in a very small wallet.

Has anyone else done this or is there something "magic" about the IP products?

Plus... my coach really stuck it too me on my first visit and charged me 360 bucks for a ton of crap.

There are plenty of people on alternatives and it is working for them (including me). Make sure you compare all the nutritional values when checking out alternatives if you are considering switching.

Also check out the alternatives threads.

There is actually a thread on this ...

You can find the ingredients on the IP packet contents and for the most part they are milk protein, and whey. Milk protein is mostly whey and some casein.

Thus the answer to your question is there is little (if any) difference.

I have been using an alternative whey protein from day one because I have a small wallet too. I don't know if what I am using is gluten free. Alot of the drinks out there are for gaining and are loaded with carbs and sugar. So just check your lables carfully

IP is not the only answer but it is AN answer. There is a "science" to this diet -- it's a bit more of a "recipe" than other diets -- a bit less flexibility than weight watchers for example. If finances or special dietary restrictions are an issue, than IP is a bit more of a challenge for some people. It CAN be done, but there are lots of people doing alternatives successfully. Your first visit included lots of the "support" things you need: vitamins, shaker etc. etc. You have all those things now so are good to continue on or switch to alternatives.

Ok I checked for gluten in what I use. I use a couple of Syntrax products but it looks like only the Nectar ones are glutin free. It comes in 14 different flavors and mixes smooth. It has 90-100 cal 0 fat 0-1 carb and 0 sugar (var by flavor) hope this helps!

I've been using the Twisted Cherry & Fuzzy Navel nectars - not bad, but I'm missing the IP chocolate shakes. Have you tried any of Syntrax's Matrix products? If so, which ones and what do you think of them?

Mrs Diettrich, what do those taste like mixing in water?? Were you always on alternatives when you lost all of that weight? You look fantastic!!!

I have not tried the matrix (yet). That is next to buy because I found I can get it cheaper (per serving) than the nectar. I have tried the Nectar Chocolate truffle and it's pretty good. So far I have tried about 1/2 of the nectar flavors ( tw cherry, fuzzy navel, strawberry mouse, apple ecstasy, cappuccino, strawberry kiwi, and chocolate truffle) the only one i didn't care for was the apple. It was ok just not to my taste. I will tell you though the syntrax essance has a powdery taste to it so I won't be buying those again.

fourstubbs - the nectar is good mixed with water, not as good as when I mixed it with milk before IP but still good.

Thanks!

I started with whey protein, but joined ip for the variety of foods. We like the crispy cereal and soups.

I use simply bars too. They are all gluten free.

I use the GNC AMP Protien drink mix. The IP chocolate mix taste better but not enough to justify the price. I only use one scoop of the AMP not the three the label suggests and it is still 20 G protein.

There are actually some Alternative products that appear to be the EXACT same as IP, but at $13/box vs. $28/box. Same ingredients, "stats", even the same inner packaging. I did 100% IP Products Phase 1-Phase 3, but in Phase 4 I am moving to having some Alternative snacks in the pantry for convenience.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...-products.html