Ideal Protein Review: Does It Really Work?

Losing those excess pounds goes beyond exercising and avoiding junkies.

It involves more of taking the right things to allow proper functioning of the body.

However, the most significant aspect in a weight loss journey is to shed the extra fat and keep it off.

Ideal Protein claims to help you lose weight¹ through a scientific approach and guide you on how to maintain the new physique.

It works under a valid science program; using a modified ketogenic diet to aid weight loss.

But does it deliver on its promises?

We sought to get all the facts right through our Ideal Protein review.

Let’s get started.

Ideal Protein is a diet protocol that focuses on enhancing the insulin function by limiting both simple and complex sugars as well as increasing protein and nutrients intake.

It was developed by Dr. Tran Tien Chanh and Olivier Benloulou.

The supplements are manufactured by Pharmalab Inc.

Dr. Tran believed that the North American diet forces the pancreas to produce more insulin, which results in heightened sugar cravings and weight gain.

To counteract this challenge, he suggested that sugar should be removed from the diet to train the body to use protein, glycogen, and fat to get energy.

Their main goal was to create a modified, step to step weight loss program that enables individuals to eat balanced meals, lose weight and retain muscle mass.

The diet has low calories, low carbs and high proteins, which is created to put your body into ketosis, but it is high in protein rather than fat like in a ketogenic diet.

A ketogenic diet entails replacing carbohydrates with fat, but the Ideal Protein Program encompasses a more customized approach, where fat intake is also restricted (temporarily).

This program is managed by a company known as Ideal Protein.

Ideal Protein offers a variety of products under the following categories:

• Popular selections
• Main courses
• Complete meal replacements
• Drinks
• Deserts and treats,
• Certified gluten-free
• Condiments and seasonings
• Snacks

The company does not list ingredients for any of their products.

They direct you to their ideal protein centers for nutritional information.

All the same, these centers also provide limited information online.

However, the wide variety of products restricts us to give a complete specific ingredient list.

We can only depend on posted images by users on what the products contain.

We found ingredients to one of their recommended breakfast shake: Chocolate Drink Mix.

Milk protein concentrate

Milk protein concentrate contains 5 grams of protein per serving.

It is used as an additive emulsifying other ingredients.

Also, it is rich in amino acids essential for the body².

Whey protein isolate

This component is rich in protein and low fat, lactose, and calories per serving.

It supports the growth of lean muscle and contains amino acids.

Whey protein isolate is easily digestible³ .

Skim milk

It contains 0.1% fat which is ideal to reduce calorie intake.

Low-fat Cocoa powder processed with alkali

This element contains natural stimulants.

Due to alkalized nature, it contains fewer antioxidants.

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is used as a stabilizer and thickener extracted from seaweed.

But despite being approved by the FDA as a food additive, safety concerns still remain. Some scientists believe that it causes colon cancer and gastrointestinal problems.

However, these studies have only been performed on animals and cells⁴.

Other ingredients

• Sugar
• Xanthan gum
• Sucralose
• Salt
• Acesulfame potassium
• Silicon dioxide
• Sea salt
• Natural and artificial flavor
• Sodium caseinate

The program is designed to create a massive calorific deficit through completely eliminating sugar from your daily diet.

Thus, the body turns to protein and fat reserves for energy.

It follows a four-phase plan that is guided by a health practitioner.

The company recommends you visit one of their Ideal Protein clinics, where you get a weight loss advisor to guide you through the program.

He/she determines how many pounds you ought to lose and advise you on the ideal protein products to eat.

They are 3500 authorized clinics listed on their website.

On completing the initial consultation, you are assigned a 4 phase plan which involves consuming Ideal Protein products.

The pre-packaged meals are taken at home.

Phase 1: Weight Loss

This phase should be followed until 100% weight loss goal is achieved.

It involves consuming the following:

• Ideal protein breakfast + supplements (1 potassium, 1 multivitamin and 1 or 2 digestive enzyme).
• Ideal protein lunch + 2 cups of preferred vegetables+ 1or 2 digestive enzyme supplements.
• Ideal protein snack+ 2 calcium-magnesium supplements.
• 8 –ounce of protein + 2 cups of chosen vegetables.
• Self-made dinner +supplements (2 calcium-magnesium, 1 multivitamin,1 or 2 digestive enzymes and 2 omega-3).
• ¼ teaspoon of salt and 2 antioxidant supplements once every day.

Each meal offers less than 200 calories and 20g of proteins.

The Ideal Protein meals and supplements are purchased in the authorized clinics/centers.

Exercise is not recommended in the first 3 weeks.

Phase 2: 14-day

Once you achieve your desired weight loss goal, you proceed to the second phase.

It involves:

• Same supplements as phase 1.
• Whole foods lunch and dinner.
• 8-ounces of protein +2 cups of chosen vegetables.

Phase 3: Pre-Stabilization

This stage begins the change to a maintenance diet.

It takes 2 weeks.

It involves substituting the Ideal Protein meal for breakfast with whole foods.

Breakfast should include carbohydrate, fat, protein and a fruit.

Also, the potassium supplement for breakfast should not be taken.

The company states that taking carbohydrates for breakfast is meant to restart the production of insulin and teach the pancreas to produce the accurate amount.

Phase 4: Maintenance

This is the last stage of the program that lasts one year.

It aims to help you to maintain weight while having more dietary choices.

It is guided by the following rules:

• Do not combine carbohydrates and fats apart from breakfast.
• Consumes proteins (in grams) equivalent to half your weight.
• Eat restricted foods on the Ideal Protein Diet, one day in a week.

Supplements are optional.

There are no side effects reported by Ideal Protein.

However, due to the sudden shift of the calorie intake, some people may experience some side effects including:

• Headaches
• Constipation
• Irregular menstruation cycle
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Hair loss
• Dizziness
• Upset stomach

Ideal Protein diet has received scattered reviews online.

On FamilyRated, the diet has received 13 reviews where 54% give it an overall rating of 3.8 stars out of 5 stars.

There were both positive and negative ones.

Let’s begin with the positive ones.

Ellenwent lost 16lbs and had this to say on Familyrated:

I have tried numerous diets, personal training etc. and spent thousands of dollars with no real results. 4 weeks in on Ideal Protein and am down 16lbs! So happy with the results.

Bethaliz added this:

I was struggling to lose weight on my own and dropped 10lbs in 3 months! In 17days on Ideal Protein, I’ve lost more than that all ready!! The food is great,[…] The diet is easy to follow, after a normal typical adjustment (only a day or two), I was not hungry and I was full and of energy. If you have a lot of weight to lose, need the support of a coach and something that 100% works.

Suziq thought that this is the easiest plan for weightless.

Here is what she wrote on Family rate:

Easiest plan ever!!! I still succeeded after seeding and harvest cooking for 15-20 ppl at times. I lost 25 lbs and then Christmas hit and my bad habits. So I’m back at it to lose 10 lbs. I feel great and clothes fit better !! Win-win

What about the negative ones?

Kyle agreed that it helps to lose the pounds but was more concerned about the nutritional benefits.

Here are his thoughts on Family rated:

No doubt the weight will drop!

But its the quality of the food that’s poor.

I wouldn’t even call it food its powder, its best you stick to real foods and learn the healthy lifestyle instead of a “quick fix”. it’s also expensive, if you’re willing to spend that much pay to see a dietitian or nutritionist.

In the end, you’re still starving and you will go back to junk food.

Sireneframboise also supported the aspect of poor nutrition on Familyrated.

She says:

I did this diet for 3 months, I lost 60 lbs. It was amazing! but the nutrition is not that awesome, I gain 30 lbs in 2 years even if I was working on.. and it’s harder now to lose these 30 lbs.

You eat nothing except greens and proteins, I don’t recommend this at all you starve your body this is not the key

Ideal Protein products can be found in the authorized centers/clinics.

The company states that Ideal Protein diet costs around $15 daily which caters for supplements and food.

However, they indicate that there may be additional consultation and coaching fees, which may vary depending on the clinic.

The overall price will include initial assessment, Ideal Protein products, and follow-up sessions.

Ideal Protein has not published any money back guarantee or refund policy.

Ideal Protein diet is a weight loss method that is created to give long-term success and employs verified methods such as guidance from a physician and education on healthy living.

However, it is quite an expensive method, has pre-packaged meals and offers a strict regimen that may be difficult to follow for a long time.

Also, it is difficult to access the diet if you are based outside America.

It is clear that one will lose extra pounds if they stick to it, nevertheless, the low-calorie intake may not work for everybody.

We laid out the facts, will you buy Ideal Protein? Comment below and tell us what you think!