Any ideas on how to start IP diet with less $$$? We have three kids and are on a very tight budget.

I am looking for a menu so I can buy items on my own. Would like to start asap. I had an egg for breakfast and three bottled waters. Going to wal mart to get some lunch in an hour. Looking for some ideas on what to buy for the week.

Atkins shakes seem to have nutrition values similar to IP ready to drink shakes. I don't often see people talk about them, but it's less than $5 for a 4 pack!

The Atkins products are reasonable but beware that they are not IP. Atkins allows a much higher fat intake. IP is both low carb and low fat. A better choice would be EAS Carb AdvantEDGE shakes. They also come in a 4 pack for $5 at Walmart. There are a lot of files on here that list the phases and menus for each. Try looking at the Sticky at the top of the IP Forum.

The thread below will help you with alternatives to IP products. At Walmart you can get the EAS carb advantage shakes, Pure Protein powder & bars. Not all of the Pure Protein bars are ok, but the small chocolate peanut one's are. You'll have to check the nutritional data to see what is similar to IP.

Basically look for about 15 gr protein, 8 net carbs or less would be unrestricted, 9 grams carbs or more is restricted. You should also make sure the fat calories are not more than 30% of the overall calories.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...s-vol-1-a.html

Has anyone heard about Quest bars?

Calories 170
Fats 6
Carb 24
protein 20

A very thorough read of this forum and you will have TONS of ideas on where to order similar products as well as people's research on all the nutrition info. which products taste best (tho also a very personal taste thing too). Search threads such as Alternative Products, Quest Bars, IP On My Own, etc. The titles will help you decide what to read!

In the stickies you can download the Phase One protocol sheet and follow the guidelines. YOu can ONLY eat what's on the sheet (using alternatives instead of IP packets) or products that are 0-0-0 (0 Fat/0Carb/0Sugar)

Your time and energy researching here will be the key to saving $$ and understanding the program. That will = success!

Once you do the research and read the threads, then you will have an excellent basis from which to post your specific questions. Everyone here is here to help!

Best of Luck and let us know how it's going!
Laurie

Yes, I love them. I treat them as an restricted item because the calories are higher than most non-restricted.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...ternative.html

Different Quest Bars have different nutritional stats.
Be sure to check the label of each flavor.
I treat them as restricted, as well.
The NET carbs are different than the total carbs. Mostly about 6.

Awesome!!! I look forward to trying them. thanks

Many folks really seem to like the Quest bars. I picked up some this weekend to try, and don't really like how dense and chewy they are. Glad I didn't buy a box of 12 before trying them.

That's one of the hardest things about the diet - finding alternatives that we like -- Be curious to hear what you think of the Quest bars.

I also tried the Syntrax Nectar drinks and didn't like them, though many people really, really like them!

Good luck -- and hope you find lots of alternatives that work for you!

If you bought them someplace like GNC they're going to be partially stale and harder/chewier than if you get them from Quest directly. Unfortunately you do have to buy them a box at a time there but they are extremely fresh and much softer. One thing you can do with the GNC bought bars is microwave them for 15 seconds and that will soften them up some.

I was going to suggest microwaving them for 15 seconds too. They are good that way. But no more than 15 seconds or they turn runny.

Same here, I have 2 brownie ones left will have to try, but the last one I ate was almost too rich for me, am not a huge chocolate eater so maybe that is why.