Question

I started Ideal Protein the first of March - I got to weigh in twice before self isolation hit - I did finally buy a scale & have lost 20 lbs. I have cheated only a few times (a bite of cornbread & a scone) in the 2 months. I do suffer from chronic migraines & when I am down with a multi day migraine, it is hard to eat the program. On these days I try to at least get down a bar so that I have the structure with them - this does mean that some days I eat more than 3 IP foods OR eat a restricted several days in a row but nothing else. Is this better than eating nothing ? Or eating the wrong foods ?  

Answer 1

You should try one of the meal replacement food options.  

Comments

@withoutdoors I will try - often I have intense nausea with the migraines & I’m doing good to eat anything at all

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Not if you want to lose weight, that is for maintenance

Answer 2

You are fine eating up to 5 packets per day as long as only 1 is restricted. It is ok to eat 1 restricted every day. Please try to get in your vegetables or at least some of them.  

Comments

@alcaeus10 thank you - I am trying to only eat 3 restricted a week but when I’m in major pain with a bad migraine I figure it is better to at least get a meal bar down instead of nothing - I’ve had problems in the past of no metabolism due to this habit. I do need to work on the veggies ! I don’t always get them all in.  

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@qadi5 maybe try putting some in a shake so you at least get some in. You could blend them and freeze and take out when you need them

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@alcaeus10 great idea

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Is 5 packets part of the alternate plan or the regular plan?  

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@baudin299 you can have up to 5 packets per day (2 packets) would replace your evening 4-6oz lean protein

Answer 3

I have really bad migraines (have had a daily headache since ‘08) and I try to have the jello ready to go on the days I can’t eat or too nauseous. It seems to help a little! I have had this current migraine for 2 weeks! I have the hardest time getting the water in tho. Have you tried the strawberry banana shake?  

Comments

@oneirocritic yes I love it. I usually crave carbs & Coke classic when I have them but have substituted the IP meals since I started. My head has been really bad lately too - I’m so sorry you suffer with them also. I’m hopeful that weight loss & being healthier will help them. Good luck to you.  

Answer 4

Cucumbers  help me with my migraines

Answer 5

When I get a migraine I take about half teaspoon ideal protein salt in a glass of water and drink that. It usually takes it away.  

Comments

@boykin for a migraine? Migraines are debilitating to many people I know. They take prescription medication to help with them. Are you suggesting that some salt water will take a migraine away?  

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My instructor told me about this and it has worked for me on most occasions. Worth a try.  

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@boykin I'm glad that helps you - migraines are awful to deal with.  

Answer 6

When you go off the protocol, you can get out of ketosis thereby slowing your weight loss. It takes 7-30 days to get into ketosis. Do you have medication for your migraines? I know how debilitating they are.  

Comments

@sycosis yes I have had them for over 40 years - tried everything & under the care of a neurologist. Weather & barometric pressure is a big trigger for me. Being able to grab the IP foods & try to stay in ketosis is my main goal during an attack.  

Answer 7

I suffer from migraines too- and they usually come with nausea. If it helps, what I do is I keep extra of whatever I can get down set aside for those days. And when I can’t eat anything else, I’ll do those. Vegetables keep you from being constipated but if you need to skip those for a few days- it’s okay as long as you’re getting at least 3 packets in. I’m sorry you have them. They can be debilitating (The safe packets for me are the vanilla ready made shakes over ice or with coffee, sea salt &vinegar chips and lemon water enhancers) Sometimes I’ll need to have 3 shakes a day and can’t get anything else down. Once I’m over the worst of it, I’ll eat plenty of salad and extra water for a few days til I’m back to normal. It’s okay to do what you need to do.  

Comments

I also keep a box of the bcaa packages- they help me get my energy back up after

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@erasion164 so sorry you have them too ! Unless someone suffers with them it’s hard to explain. The shakes & some bars I can manage when in pain sometimes - I am motivated more now to try & eat something.