At our Ideal Protein clinic, we often meet dieters who had no idea how many IP approved products and other items are available while doing the protocol. Instead, some even believe they will have to eat only pre-packaged foods. If you are considering starting or restarting Ideal Protein, find out the skinny on all of the IP approved items here:
About 20 years back, Ideal Protein brought a modified, scientifically approved version of the traditional keto diet that yielded better results. The research behind the protocol showed that the insulin imbalance in the body is a core reason for weight gain.
Hence the diet limits simple and complex carb consumption, the preferred energy source of the body, and restricts fat-based foods in order to force the body to burn the stored fat cells. Also, a dieter consumes an adequate amount of high-quality protein which is absolutely necessary to maintain lean muscle mass.
Changes in Your Food Sources
Now this means you will have to make some changes to your food environment. The Ideal Protein products are designed to help with this transition.
However, it doesn’t mean you will have to entirely depend on the products alone.
Aside from the various Ideal Protein products, dieters will be eating whole foods each day. In addition to weight loss a main goal of the protocol is to create habit shifts. Consuming whole foods should be something that is carried on past achieving ones weight loss goals. Here are the whole food sources allowed for Ideal Protein Phase 1:
The Approved Products You Can Incorporate and Stay On Protocol
We understand that along with the allowed whole foods, you may want other options that create more variety in your week and help with cravings. For example, you may be wanting to occasionally incorporate pasta, soda, sauces, etc. while staying on track. Ideal Protein has a range of products that help with cravings. Still, it’s possible that you are wanting more variety.
The problem here, is that there aren’t many suitable store bought foods that fit into the protocol norms. In our 10 years of experience, we met many dieters who faced this problem.
This is why decided to list some whole food and product alternatives you can buy at your local grocery store or order from the marts.
Approved Drink Alternatives
Ideal Protein mandates drinking a minimum of 64oz of water. Sometimes, dieters find it difficult to complete their daily water intake. The Ideal Protein water enhancers and beverages help flavor up the water so you can enjoy every sip. Moreover, these water enhancers are an excellent way to participate in get-togethers without feeling left out.
If you like, you can also try these approved Ideal Protein drink alternatives too:
- Zevia
- Soda
- Ice Tea
- Energy drink
- Flavored Sparkling Water
- Fit Soda
Approved Dressings & Sauces
Dressings and sauces spice up the meal and make them savory. On Ideal Protein, you can try dressings, sauces, and dips from these brands:
- Walden Farms
- G Hughes
Note: You can also make some amazing dressings and sauces at home. Explore the recipes here.
Approved Wraps and Pasta Alternatives
Bread and pastas are not allowed on Ideal Protein. Here are some low-carb wraps and pasta you can buy to help with such cravings.
- Hearts of Palm Pasta
- Kohlrabi noodles
- Zucchini noodles
- Boxed spaghetti squash pasta
- Konjac noodles
- Crepini
- Egglife Wraps
- Jicama wraps
Whole Foods and Approved Items You can Buy/Order From Marts
Here are some more approved items available at popular marts and supermarkets:
Trader Joe’s
- Frozen and fresh produce/protein
- Pre-cut veggies
- Tofu
- Hearts of palm pasta
- Jicama wraps
- Egg crepeni wraps
- Frozen cauliflower rice
- Frozen Mexican cauliflower rice
- Flavored sparkling water
- Packaged roasted broccoli/cauliflower/green beans (produce section)
- Jicama sticks
- Green goddess seasoning blend
- 21 Salute Seasoning
- Frozen spiraled zucchini noodles
- Lemon pepper tuna pouches
- Infused olive oils
- Fresh riced cauliflower/ broccoli
- Kohlrabi pasta (produce section)
- Tomatillo salsa
Costco
- Frozen/Fresh vegetables
- Pre chopped vegetables
- Frozen/Fresh protein
- Tofu
- True Story- organic oven-roasted chicken breast
- Crepini-egg wraps
- Festive Hearts- hearts of palm spaghetti
- Walden Farms products
- Rao’s -Marinara sauce
- Healthy Noodles
- Riced cauliflower microwavable pouches
- Kirklands-organic chicken stock
- Canned/Jarred Items:
- Pickles
- Tuna/salmon/chicekn
- Roasted peppers
- Heart of palm etc.
- Deal Real salsas
- Sunbelt organic salsa
- Zevia products
- A La Cart- microwavable spaghetti squash
- La Croix sparkling water
Amazon
- Egglife wraps
- Zevia Products: soda, iced tea, energy drinks.
- Fit soda
- Palmini – Hearts of palm pasta
- Palmini-heart of palm rice
- Natural Heaven hearts of palm pasta
- Konjac noodles:
- Miracle Noodles
- Skinny Pasta
- Better Than Noodles
- Low sodium broth
- Riced cauliflower/broccoli pouches
- Solely spaghetti squash pasta
- Oregan Chai-sugar free chai tea latte
- OliveNation extracts
- Sweet Leaf stevia drops
- Alo-Unsweetened aloe drink
- Infused olive oils
Whole Foods Market
- Fresh/frozen Vegetables
- Fresh/frozen protein
- Precooked hard-boiled eggs
- Crepini
- Jicama tortillas
- Hearts of palm pasta
- Fresh cauliflower rice, turnip noodles, and zucchini noodles
- Monte Bene-garlic marinara
- Tofu
- Waterloo-sparking water
- Pre Cut Jicama
- Miracle Noodles
- Zevia Products:
- Soda
- Tea
- Energy drinks
- Soley-boxed spaghetti squash
- Infused olive oils
- Stevia
Take Away
Ideal Protein is not all about prepackaged foods and encourages leaning on whole food options. We hope that the above lists will help you stick to the protocol.
However, we advise talking to your coach first before buying any alternative foods. If you are new to the program or simply considering starting Ideal Protein, set up a free consultation with us here.
