Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method different from other diets?
Through reducing carbohydrates and fat, the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method retrains your pancreas to produce balanced amounts of insulin. By focusing on proteins in your diet, it allows you to preserve muscle and protect vital organs while burning fat. The food products available through Ideal Protein contain easily absorbed, high biological proteins (with the nine amino acids essential for your health). In addition, Ideal Protein foods have few saturated fats, no trans fats, no aspartame, and no MSG’s or GMO’s, and is therefore much healthier for you than other diets.
What is ketosis? Is it safe?
Ketosis is a term used to describe the state of a body when it is using fat reserves as the primary energy source. This is a natural, healthy state, as shown by the nightly ketosis that occurs while we sleep. The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method provides enough protein to protect muscle tissue, but not enough to produce fat, allowing the body to burn the fat as energy.
Is Ideal Protein safe for people with active or past medical concerns?
While Ideal Protein can be beneficial, those who have medical histories that include cancer, internal organ complications, eating disorders, heart issues, etc., should consult their primary physician and obtain written consent from them before beginning this protocol. This protocol is only offered through Qualified Professionals.
Is it safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?
If a woman is pregnant or lactating, she may still consume Ideal Protein foods, but should not follow the protocol in order to avoid losing weight that would be unhealthy for the baby in utero or a nursing mother.
What is the Alternative Plan?
The Alternative Plan is similar to the Ideal Protein protocol in many ways, but allows more variety. Like the protocol, the Alternative Plan has four phases, but dieters may add up to 3 more foods per day, one from each of the three food groups: carbohydrates (Group I), fruit (Group II), and fats (Group III). Because of these additional foods, weight loss on the Alternative Plan occurs at a slower rate than on the protocol, but the dieter is less likely to experience cravings. Those who wish to go on the Alternative Plan should also be aware that regaining lost weight is more probable with this plan than the Ideal Protein protocol, because the body is not kept in a state of ketosis (this is recommended for some Type I diabetic patients).
Is this diet safe for diabetics?
If you are diabetic, please consult your physician about whether the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method would be beneficial to your health.
What about children or adolescents?
Children should not be on a diet. If you would like to transition your child’s eating habits to healthier ones, Ideal Protein foods can be used so long as the child understands and is compliant with the reason for this transition, as a sudden change in their diet could cause them to crave unhealthy foods more frequently. Adolescents and teenagers may begin this diet, but should first use the Alternative Plan for a few weeks, as this might prove to be a sufficient solution. They should also make sure to have written consent from their pediatrician or primary physician.
Are there any side effects when beginning this protocol?
Most dieters do not experience anything uncomfortable while participating in the Ideal Protein protocol, but some may experience withdrawals as a result of regularly consuming processed foods before beginning this diet. Symptoms may include headaches, mild nausea, fatigue, and hunger. These typically subside within the first few days of the protocol and are not cause for serious concern.
Why is exercise not encouraged for Ideal Protein dieters?
Exercise is important for our long-term health and weight maintenance. During Phase 1 of this 4-phase diet, certain types of exercise should be limited because of the low caloric nature of this protocol. Dieters’ bodies must use fat from their fat reserves to burn for energy instead of strictly calories, and as a result, their muscle tissue goes relatively untouched. If a dieter exercises intensely, however, their body will begin to burn muscle in order to make up for the small amount of calories available to use. The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method is designed to help dieters lose weight and preserve muscle mass without needing to exercise as well.
What about people on blood pressure medication?
Ideal Protein is safe for those on blood pressure medication, but it is important that they watch their sodium intake.
What about people with allergies?
The products available through Ideal Protein for this protocol contain a wide variety of ingredients that should make it possible for those with allergies to follow the protocol. Please discuss your allergies with your Ideal Protein provider in order to discover if this protocol is safe for you.
Is this diet okay for Vegans?
Due to the strict regulations of Vegan food consumption, Ideal Protein is not compatible with Veganism.
Is there variety in this protocol?
Over a span of 20 years, Ideal Protein has worked to create products with a wide range of flavors and textures. There is something for everyone, whether you prefer crunchy, salty, sweet, or savory foods. Most products can also be served at any temperature.
Is food preparation difficult?
No! Many of the Ideal Protein foods are made ready to serve, and others simply require added water. Each serving is individually packaged for freshness.
Is the Ideal Protein program a high, medium, or low calorie diet?
The Ideal Protein protocol is a medium to low calorie diet, while the Alternative Plan (available for dieters who are diabetic) is a medium calorie diet as it includes more food options.
Will I gain the weight back once I finish the Ideal Protein protocol?
If you follow Phases 2 and 3 of the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method, your weight should not return. While minimum weight gain is expected as you transition back to regular foods (due to your glycogen stores being replenished in muscles and organs), the diet will have trained your pancreas to produce an appropriate amount of insulin for your body’s food consumption. By continuing to eat wisely and healthily, your body will maintain your ideal weight. Once you reach Phase 3 of the protocol (the Maintenance Phase), you will continue to meet with your Ideal Protein coach periodically for support and continued education in living and maintaining your new healthy lifestyle!
