The only alternative is about as long winded I'm afraid.
Rip them into Itunes in Apple Lossless, then highlight all the folders for lossless in the Itunes folder on your PC and convert to mp3 in batch mode.
You would then clear you library and add the mp3 folders, update the Ipod.
Clear the library again, delete the mp3 folders from your PC (if you want to) then add all your music again to Itunes (inc the Apple Lossles).
Don't know an easier solution, sorry.