Liquid Protein Train - Back On Track

Feb 22, 2009

 Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot about a “shakes” only diet to get back on track. So I  did a bit of research. The plan is called LPT or “liquid protein train”.

Here’s what I found on the Bariatric Eating website:

Another interesting idea from the Bariatric Eating website, this plan is similar to the five-day pouch test that I posted a few months back... However, this is a three to five day “liquids only” diet to get you over all the bad habits we all tend to slide back into at times. Plus, this plan can also help kick your carb and sugar cravings.

The "3 Day LPT" does not require special recipes and is only for three days. It does help you get back on track with your eating, AND allows more flexibility with your choices.

Here is the three day liquid protein plan for those who may be interested:

Many ask, “What does LPT stand for? What is it?” LPT stands for Liquid Protein Train. It is used by people who have gotten off track (or just plain derailed), need to de-carb themselves (to get rid of that nasty urge to snack or overeat), or to jump start weight loss again. It also helps you to get in touch with how you feel when you do eat or drink (feeling full, stopping when you have the full sensation, etc.) I searched the message board recently and came up with several questions and responses by others... My final conclusion is that there are really no solid or set in stone rules. However, here are some general consistencies when people decide to do the LPT.

Who Should Do The "3 Day LPT"?
1. If you have gotten off track (or just plain de-railed in your weight loss journey!), then the 3 day LPT is for you.
2. If you find that you are addicted to carbs, are eating junk food, are snacking and grazing, then the 3 day LPT is for you.
3. If you need to jump start your weight loss once again, then the 3 day LPT is for you.
4. For those who have no weight to lose and are not addicted to carbs, this is probably not necessary.

Before You Begin:
1. How many days will I do this program? Normally it’s done for three days. You may choose to continue for up to five days. Anything over this would be excessive.
2. Will I drink ONLY protein shakes or will I add a light supper? The choice is entirely up to you. If you are able to get rid of carb cravings by cutting back to eating a light supper (high protein), then you may want to stick with drinking shakes all day but a light supper at night. However, if you are overly addicted to carbs and need a more aggressive approach, the full liquid shake only approach may be the best for you.

Preparation For The Program:
1. Make sure you have plenty of protein shakes available – there’s nothing worse than to be in the middle of a program and run out of products! Stock up on high protein, low carb, low sugar and low calorie protein powders or ready to drinks. FYI: “Bariatric Eating” sells a wide variety of great tasting protein products.
2. De-carb your pantry to get rid of foods that you should not have (crackers, chips, cookies, high carb sugar free products) as these will be a stumbling block to you. Also, the purpose of the LPT is to get back on track and away from those items that cause you to fail. You don’t want to sabotage your own success by having these tempting products in the house.

How It's Done:
1. Drink a protein shake whenever you feel hunger (whether it be real body hunger or head hunger) – one person said they drink a shake every two hours. I figured that if a person would start at 6 a.m., drink a shake every two hours, this would allow them to drink up to 8 p.m.
2. Consume a minimum of 800 calories for the day.
3. You may drink fluids after consuming protein shakes. The "30 minute wait period" before drinking after food does not apply in this case.

Keep In Mind:
1. Get off sugar products
2. Some people include a few additives in their shakes to help spice them up such as a little peanut butter, or sugar free Da Vinci syrups, or a little bit of fruit . Keep in mind that fruits do have carbs. If the additive(s) cause you to crave more, DON'T add it.
3. You may want to include thin soups with light vegetables, yogurts or custards since they are considered full liquids.
4. It has been suggested that when you are exercising, you should drink a protein shake right before your workout.

Transitioning Back To Normal:
1. If you are doing full liquids for 3 days, on the fourth day you will want to add a light supper. When comfortable, add a light lunch until you are back to your 3 meals a day. The LPT will help you to be more in tune with how food makes you feel. In other words, you will know when you are full on a meal. Stop there, do not overeat. Practice and re-learn listening to your body and pouch when it says it is full.
2. If you did liquid all day and a light supper at night during the 3 days, then just add your light lunch back into the routine.

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