+37 votes
by (2.1k points)
Ok so I need some ideas. I hope you can help me. I started Monday. Let me just say that I am struggling VERY hard. The packets are a super change for me. I’ve always been a beans and rice kinda girl so this has been a BIG game changer. So straight to the point. what do you do to make these more satisfying? Do you have a way of making a chicken, mushroom, or tomato basil soup more edible? The rotini isn’t half bad but can I have some ideas because I feel like I can throw in the towel. I see all these wonderful transformations and I want to do the same. Sincerely, Desperate IP member.  
Ok so I need some ideas.

29 Answers

+5 votes
by (870 points)
 
Best answer
Yea truly get Janevas cookbook. Total game changer. Example I got a lot of drink mixes for smoothie breakfast on the go before work but in the book. for those days I'm home and have more time. those drink mixes become 6 sizeable delicious cookies with just a few extra ingredients
by (2.2k points)
@karankaras20662 Don’t order from Amazon. Order from Janeva. 1/2 the price.  
by (3.5k points)
@donaghue just sold me on the cookbook!  
by (870 points)
@pageantry honestly you will not regret it
by (3.5k points)
@donaghue - an index like that is key!  
by (870 points)
@pageantry totally yes!  
+9 votes
by (5.5k points)
So I add riced cauliflower to the chicken noodle soup to get more veggies in!  
by (2.1k points)
@variegated but how about for taste?  
by (5.5k points)
@karankaras20662 sometimes just salt and pepper sometimes a little hot sauce I just play with it
by (2.1k points)
@variegated ok. Thank you
by (7.6k points)
@variegated for my soup packets I add a tiny bit of chicken bullion
by (310 points)
For veggies I make a stir fry with red, green and yellow peppers, cauliflower , celery, green onions, broccoli and add Walden Farms. Asian dressing and fry till it's still a bit crispy. It's very flavorful. You can use any veg we are allowed for this. I love the dressing in a lot of my cooking.  
+15 votes
by (30.7k points)
There are thousands of recipes if you search on the page via the magnifiying lense and also I got the @zeiler83529cookbook. a life changer . you've got this. drink fluids, IP electrolytes and follow the sheet and you'll do great!  
by (2.1k points)
@collectivity awesome!  
by (30.7k points)
@karankaras20662 you've got this  ps meal prep is the trick!  
by (2.1k points)
@collectivity I know. I didn’t do that all last week‍♀️
by (10.7k points)
@collectivity why am i paying a couch for what i'm learning from you people?  
by (10.7k points)
@collectivity where did you buy the book and how much did you pay for the book?  
+1 vote
by (11.5k points)
Start everyday with a mantra . don’t concentrate on the FLAVOR of your food and what you would be eating if you could . Look at them as Medicine for your body . Every time I do this , I have success and the weight comes off . Also , get packets that you can make work , perhaps not the soup ? The shakes ? Make hot chocolate with chocolate shake it’s sooo satisfying .  
by (2.1k points)
@prescriptive97 so my bag contained tons of drinks but I don’t like most of them. The soups seem to be more binding/thick. so I just need some ideas. They don’t seem too bad, I just need a way of making them heartier I guess? You have a good point. medicine for the soul. I’ll try that. Thank you.  
by (11.5k points)
I just saw you started on Monday ? Have you ever done ip before ? I think the beginning is hard because you still remember the taste of your favorite foods and when you see them , your body reacts . After a month in , you start to forget and to like the foods much better . We are like little kids that at first didn’t like the taste of food and then , that’s all we knew  
by (2.1k points)
@prescriptive97 just started Monday. BOY has it been rough. to say the least lol.  
by (11.5k points)
@karankaras20662 it gets easier , you get leaner . You gain energy , you loose weight , and it’s the best feeling . Better then food  
by (2.1k points)
@prescriptive97 gosh I can’t wait to feel that way. I’m so big and Uncomfortable. None of my clothes fit. 2020 has already been a disaster.  
by (6.5k points)
@karankaras20662 cauliflower rice is a lifesaver. Jalapeños if you like spicy. And angel hair cabbage.  
by (2.1k points)
@neckwear yum I just bought some yesterday
by (11.5k points)
@karankaras20662 sample of my lunch  veggie boats and side of Cheese dorados
+19 votes
by (1.1k points)
Saute 2 cups mushrooms and a clove of garlic, add 2 cups of chicken stock, add mushroom soup and blend to with a stick blender to thicken -leaving some pieces for texture. I do the same with asparagus and the chicken soup mix, and broccoli and cauliflower rice with the broccoli soup mix and/or the new cheese sauce mix.  
by (2.1k points)
@conney55 That sounds DELICIOUS! Thank you!  
by (1.1k points)
@karankaras20662, dont forget to add konjac noodles as needed to add bulk - up to 1 cup/day. Snack soup (no packet): Boil chicken stock, swirl in an egg, add konjac noodles, chopped green onions and soy sauce.  
by (2.1k points)
@conney55 ok I’m sorry. I don’t understand that’s part. Snack soup (no packet)? Don’t use the packet of soup?  
by (1.1k points)
@karankaras20662, Sorry, that was confusing. Yes, you can make an "extra" soup out of chicken stock and konjac noodles so you still have your 3 packets for the day. Just a way to help get you through your first week while you're still hungry.  
by (2.1k points)
@conney55 ok I’m sorry. I’m confusing myself. This is with the pack?  
+16 votes
by (3.1k points)
I use the mushroom soup as a gravy over pork or chicken with sautéed vegetables. I also like the broccoli cheese soup over fish, broccoli & cauliflower!  
by (2.1k points)
@cambyses so you can have both at the same time?  
by (3.1k points)
@karankaras20662 both what? Sorry.  
by (2.1k points)
@cambyses the packet and protein (fish, chicken, etc. ).  
by (3.1k points)
@karankaras20662 oh yes! That is of course considered one of your 3 packets for the day. But you may not use the whole packet so you could save it & have half of another packet for a snack later.  
by (3.1k points)
I use less water to make it more like a sauce as opposed to soup.  
by (2.1k points)
@cambyses aww ok. Nice! That sounds good!  
by (3.1k points)
@karankaras20662 all the best!  
by (10.7k points)
@cambyses 2 packets, 1 restricted and then the meal plus unlimited veggies, and steamed veggies.  
by (10.7k points)
Daily breakdown?  
by (10.7k points)
Both i guess. for the new comer. simplify things/////
+15 votes
by (1.9k points)
This morning I cut up bell peppers, sweet red and orange peppers, added mushrooms with olive oil in a pan! Added 2 eggs to the Fine Herbs Omelet. then some fresh spinach! Topped with salsa that didn’t have sugar added! Delicious!  
by (2.1k points)
0 votes
by (1.1k points)
I never ate the “meal” packets. I used choc chip pancake as my every morning breakfast and the other meals packets were snacks/desserts. Only exception was potato packet as bread or pizza crust otherwise I ate real food for meals. I’m 4 years in maintenance now.  
by (2.1k points)
@hydrophane wow! Thank you
+4 votes
by (9.1k points)
Big help: do a search in this group for recipes. Lots of people ask this question
+17 votes
by (2.7k points)
Cauliflower rice is your best friend. I always have bags of it. Make flat bread using the soup packets. Order the vegetable chili packet and it's a easy meal muxed with cauliflower rice. Potato puree packs make great "buns and breads"
by (10.7k points)
Is the puree already made?  
by (2.7k points)
No it's the powder
by (2.1k points)
@whopping got it! I’ll have to order that purée, I hear great thinks about it!  
by (10.7k points)
@whopping the mashed potato packet equivalent to a meal?  
by (2.7k points)
@chokedamp yes. I bake buns out of it and have a veggie sandwich or eat some my protein with it. Very satisfying as I'm a rice and bread person.  
+4 votes
by (870 points)
I'm beating this idea into the ground but . here's my breakfast  
by (1.1k points)
@donaghue yum! What is that?  
by (870 points)
@conney55 oatmeal cinnamon cookies. So good! And 1-unrestricted
by (10.7k points)
@donaghue so/ you just fiddled around until you got it right?  
by (870 points)
@chokedamp its a recipe in the @zeiler83529 cookbook
+16 votes
by (4.7k points)
Add riced cauliflower or broccoli to broccoli cheese soup. or riced cauliflower to any soup. dry chocolate drink with spinach. looks gross but is good. add a teaspoon of banana extract for a different flavor! Rotini with Roa Alfredo sauce and chicken. or roa spaghetti sauce with sausage. stir fry with any veggies you like add Oriental sauce. always have veggies prepared for a quick fix
by (2.1k points)
@dermis yum will try! Thank you
+1 vote
by (2.2k points)
Rice and beans—understand. Soup up the soups with cauliflower rice, and sauté some peppers and green onions to mix in also. Seasoning is your friend, garlic, onion powder etc. For a change try chayote squash, it’s versatile and can be sautéed with cinnamon and nutmeg and Walden farms apple butter and WF syrup to taste like candies apples. Get janeevas cookbook, it will help as the soups make great bread also.  
by (2.1k points)
@confabulation thank you! On its way. The syrup sound amazing. I’ve cook with chayote for years. sounds like a good twist.  
by (2.2k points)
@karankaras20662 I love the slow cooker apples and the rhubarb recipe, I had ever had it before this journey. It is yummy also and it’s a vegetable but can taste like fruit.  
by (2.1k points)
@confabulation will do this weekend! Thank you
+6 votes
by (990 points)
IP trail mix over spinich salad and loads of veggies, and Walden farms dressing
by (2.1k points)
@madrid8 which are your favorites? I bought Italian and the Italian with sun dried tomatoes. I left them at work. ‍♀️
by (990 points)
@karankaras20662 Italian for sure!  
+3 votes
by (1.2k points)
Buy Janeva’s cookbook and it sure helps with different packets.  
by (2.1k points)
@outwork on it’s way
+17 votes
by (630 points)
Be patient. The first two weeks are hard, not only because you are getting into Ketosis but also because you suddenly drop the amount of food you are eating. I used to make “Bread” with the Broccoli Cheddar package and “Chips” with the Cereal package. They were satisfying with a lot of salad and protein. You can also have “Nachos” with the Dorados package and lean ground meat with Taco Seasoning (with 0 Sugar)
by (2.1k points)
@blurt40936 oh wow how?  
by (770 points)
@blurt40936 I also make”nachos “ ground beef with cumin , garlic powder garlic salt pepper. I place on a plate and add pico picked jalapeño, mushrooms, cucumber chopped sugar free salsa , then I open a bag of the dorados and just scoop the yummies with the chip. So satisfying. By the way I am on week 2 as well. It’s touch , just push through 1 day at a time. Reach out if you want more ideas I would love to help . You can do this!  
by (630 points)
@karankaras20662 Both are from Janeva’s Ideal Recipes book. I bought it and it has a ton of recipes. But being a Mom of Toddlers, didn’t have time to prepare a lot so I just pick 2-4 recipes of things that I missed the most. In my case are Carbs such as Bread and Chips  
by (2.1k points)
@brackely I weighed in today. I lost 7lbs and 7oz. whoop whoop. I’m gonna try the taco salad for dinner!  
by (2.1k points)
@blurt40936 mine too!  
by (770 points)
@karankaras20662 yaayyyyy that’s so awesome! Congratulations
by (2.1k points)
Thank you  
+21 votes
by (4.3k points)
I treat my packets as snacks. Shake in the am shake with lunch and bar or something for a treat / snack mid afternoon or after dinner. I’m not a fan of a lot of the IP food. But I do like the shakes and bars.  
by (2.1k points)
@madrid8 Jeeves thank you!  
by (10.7k points)
What is your mid afternoon snack? veggies?. then uoui go home and have the protein (meat) and steamed veggie?  
by (4.3k points)
@chokedamp I take raw veggies to eat at work. Cucumbers/ sweet peppers mostly and sometimes broccoli and cauliflower. And usually 2 hard boiled eggs. Or tuna.  
+9 votes
by (2.6k points)
Don’t give up! It gets easier. Just have to find some things you like. I’m down 95 lbs pretty much eating the same packets every day - chocolate chip pancake for breakfast, dorado chips crushed on a salad with fresh veggies and a cookie wafer after my protien/veggie dinner.  
by (2.1k points)
@educative thank you for the encouragement
+7 votes
by (5.5k points)
Mushroom soup makes great binder and gives really good flavour to burgers
+13 votes
by (10k points)
Add your veggies to your soup!  
+13 votes
by (2.1k points)
Thank you everyone for all the encouragement and tips. Great support group here. I’ve gained lots of confidence.  
+32 votes
by (650 points)
I don’t eat the packet soups and dinners.  
by (10.7k points)
What do you do instead?  
by (650 points)
@chokedamp breakfast I have ideal drink pre made or packet made into a smoothie blended with frozen spinach. 2 cups or slightly under. Lunch. Garden Salad with IP dressing and a IP Snack. I always have cut raw veggies in the day. Dinner 8 ounces lean meat and remainder baked select veggies. Evening IP snack such as the chips or zippers. to ensure I get the 1/4 salt in. I dissolve in shot glass with warm water and chase it with my water. I like the orange water flavour. This provides enough variety for me. for lunch sometimes I add protein then subtract from dinner. I don’t enjoy having to plan or worry about meals. The smoothie is fast. I have a full time career so for me this keeps it simple. As well I can do this for the rest of my life. I think. Lol I tried the soups etc and I couldn’t eat them. Even modified.  
by (10.7k points)
@disruption thank you
by (650 points)
@chokedamp oh. I use the vanilla pre made shake as the cream in my coffee the the morning. Just a splash.  
by (10.7k points)
@disruption couch said i can use a tbls. of the hot cocoa mix to make a latta. works ok.  
by (650 points)
@chokedamp good idea
by (650 points)
I prefer the cappuccino drink in my coffee too.  
by (120 points)
@disruption I do about the same as you. The only things I buy are the ready to drink chocolate drink and bars. Vanilla crispy and peanut butter bars Yum
+29 votes
by (1.6k points)
@zeiler83529 recipe book has helped me so much! I make a bread out of the crispy bread packet or potatoe purée even Brocoli a and cheese soup makes a wrap so I can make a turkey sandwich or fill w veges for lunch! Game changer for me!  
by (2.1k points)
@sowder I cant wait till my book gets here.  
by (770 points)
@karankaras20662 I got the book too. I tried the chocolate chip pancakes delish
+26 votes
by (400 points)
I add cabbage spinach and mushrooms. Makes it more filling.  
+2 votes
by (2.7k points)
Cauliflower rice to everything! I add in with the maple oameal and some cinnamon for breakfast to bulk it up. I also add it to the chocolate drink mix at lunch with a bunch of ice, blended, like a thick chocolate shake. The creamy chicken soup is good with riced cauliflower, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Also add chopped peppers to the chili mix and pour over the sweet chili dorados.  
+10 votes
by (2.4k points)
I only buy the IP products I like to eat. Always do a shake with 2 shots of espresso in the morning. Lunch is two cups of veggies with a packet. Normally I do my favorite roasted veggies or homemade salsa or cucumber salad and have a bar or a bag of the ip chips to make it lunch. The third packet I always use as a snack. Something I’ll look forward to. Chocolate mint bar, chocolate soy puffs, etc. then I try to be creative with dinner. I look up low carb or keto versions of my favorite meals like Mongolian beef, chicken fajitas over cauliflower rice, scallops with spinach. Just keep my interest so I don’t get bored. Really makes a difference. Good luck! You’ll find the ones you like. Then make the most of the other foods you get.  
by (1.1k points)
@sager54 that’s how to do this program and to go forward on maintenance! Bravo!  
by (2.4k points)
@hydrophane It's a good plan. I figure that my food should taste good and look good too. If I don't like it, then I am not going to be successful long term. It helps that I don't mind cooking and trying new things.  
by (2.1k points)
@sager54 thank you!  
+32 votes
by (8.3k points)
I have a definite “meal” four out of seven nights. This week it’s chicken chili. I saute 4-5 chicken thighs (boneless skinless) with celery yellow or red peppers and even zucchini if I have it (in grape seed oil) I add frozen riced cauliflower and then take 4 packs of the vegetable chili mix them with cold water (16-20 0z) and pour that over the mixture and let it simmer a while. If you like your chili spicier add chili powder. This divides up into four or five meals for me. Add a small salad and I am good
by (2.1k points)
@face good idea!  
by (8.3k points)
@karankaras20662 it is easy and can be frozen! One of my favorites.  
+32 votes
by (1.8k points)
I cook the rotini and add it to a salad for lunch everyday. I make my own dressing (IP salt, oregano, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice). I love it. I rinse the rotini with cold water before throwing in the salad.  
by (2.1k points)
@benitez thank you!  
0 votes
by (1.8k points)
I also cook 93% lean Hamburg and add cauliflower rice to make my stuffed peppers. Add spices and it’s delicious.  
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