"New Direction" Shakes - Tips for adding flavors

Gamul1

Been on the program just over a week. I have heard some people modify some of the shakes by adding stuff to them like nutmeg.

If you do this - what additives do you add in and to what shake or soup and in what amounts?

So far have tried vanilla (shake, pudding and with fiber), mocha. I got two free sampls of hot chocolate and a pineapple/Apricot . I did not like the lemon or the chocolate. In general I find all the shakes way too sweet.

I tried the cheddar broccoli and creamy chicken soups. did not like the cheddar broccoli soup after 3 days of it though.

Just looking for tips on making the routine a little more varied.

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IsaackGMOON

catscats222 wrote: »

studies show that people that diet using shakes regain the weight
seems like they never "learn" to eat right
your program consists of buying their drinks, shakes, bars.
keep in mind that eventually, you want to say goodbye to this expensive program
you want to learn how to eat real food (eventually).
i have a cousin that spent $3,200 on a similar program (keep a notebook of what you spend)
after a year it was all back

I can see why this happens... shakes are just a diet phase if they're the only thing you consume - you then go back to eating normally and don't learn how to control food intake etc...

OP... ditch the shakes. How are you going to go out for a meal with your family every once in a while? "Oh can I get the 12" pepperoni pizza... but could you blend it up for me?". It doesn't fit in with normal life. It's not sustainable.

Eat in a caloric deficit. Hit your micros. Hit your macros.

Gamul1

Thanks for your input guys. I can see neither of you are familiar with the program. The main point of the program are the classes working with you on gaining a better relationship to food. The point is to be able to maintain that weight after you stop using the shakes. They wont even take you in the program if your goal is simply to lose weight as you will simply just put it back on after.

So - thanks for your feedback but I look forward to hearing from others familiar with actually doing the program.

nancybuss

Nice reply Gamul1 -- no experience but good luck on your journey

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Gamul1

catscats222 wrote: »

the purpose of the program is to try to get your money out of your pockets
thousands of dollars you can learn about food on your own by visiting a library and reading books on diet and nutrition

The purpose of grocery stores is to get your money out of your pocket. Thousands of dollars every year, year after year for the rest of your life. You can grow all your own food yourself in your back yard and can learn all about it by visiting a library and reading books on gardening and growing veggies.

Unless of course you would like some help with that goal of procuring food. Because as we know, not everyone is capable of growing their own food and if they can get some help from a business, even though it costs you money, its worth it if in the end you get to live longer than if you dont use that business to help you.

Gamul1

nancybuss wrote: »

Nice reply Gamul1 -- no experience but good luck on your journey

Thanks Nancy. Appreciate the positive support.

juggernaut1974

Gamul1 wrote: »

The point is to be able to maintain that weight after you stop using the shakes.

IF that is true, they would teach you how to eat food (not meal replacement shakes which by your own admission you don't like the taste of), and a variety of food (not 3 days of cheddar broccoli soup)

They wont even take you in the program if your goal is simply to lose weight as you will simply just put it back on after.

They'll take you as long as you're willing to pay.

I mean come on...a week in and you're already admittedly sick of the food. Does this really seem like something you can sustain the rest of your life???

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt

ceoverturf wrote: »

Gamul1 wrote: »

The point is to be able to maintain that weight after you stop using the shakes.

IF that is true, they would teach you how to eat food (not meal replacement shakes which by your own admission you don't like the taste of), and a variety of food (not 3 days of cheddar broccoli soup)

They wont even take you in the program if your goal is simply to lose weight as you will simply just put it back on after.

They'll take you as long as you're willing to pay.

I mean come on...a week in and you're already admittedly sick of the food. Does this really seem like something you can sustain the rest of your life???

Nailed it.

Gamul1

ceoverturf wrote: »

I mean come on...a week in and you're already admittedly sick of the food. Does this really seem like something you can sustain the rest of your life???

Its not for the rest of my life. For me I should be on it between 3 and 4 months. For others they may be on it longer but everyone goes back to real food eventually. I would agree its not a perfect system but its one that works for a lot of people, many I know, and I feel comfortable will work for me too.

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

Nailed it.

Not really. More like a shot off the back board

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TeaBea

Gamul1 wrote: »

Thanks for your input guys. I can see neither of you are familiar with the program. The main point of the program are the classes working with you on gaining a better relationship to food. The point is to be able to maintain that weight after you stop using the shakes. They wont even take you in the program if your goal is simply to lose weight as you will simply just put it back on after.

So - thanks for your feedback but I look forward to hearing from others familiar with actually doing the program.

Meal replacement programs are ALL the same, we don't need to know the "specifics" of your brand. Any business selling meal replacements is smart enough to know that "being able to maintain that weight loss" has to be part of the marketing strategy.

They will take anyone & everyone who is willing to pay.......statements like they won't take you if you don't want to maintain.....who in their right mind doesn't want to maintain?

Eat real food.....measure that real food.....choose food that you like.....learn about past mistakes.....take that information into the future. This option takes more time and effort though.........

lulucitron

People are buying into this stuff because my facebook is full of friends jumping on the Isogenix bandwagon to sell so obviously people are buying into these things. Their shakes and things are tasty but I just can't justify the cost. I just have shakes when I'm in a protein pinch. I'd rather eat the real food and supplement when I have to. Whatever you want to do that works is fine and I'm certainly not going to tell you what to do. There's something to be said about the whole sensory process with food -- taste, smell, texture, sight...chewing your food is a wonderful thing.

Azuriaz

If you're sick of your shakes finish your supply off and then make your own. That way you can flavor it to your tastes and it will save you a bundle, too. Lots of free recipes to fit various dietary needs online.

sjesika

I like cinnamon in my chocolate shakes (I also add more water to help with the overly sweet aspect). I've tried pumpkin pie spice in the vanilla and that's ok as well. Good luck. It's not the program for everyone, but it's what is working for us.

jultut

I started the medically supervised New Direction program at the end of July, and in less than three months I am down over 50 lbs. I would like to lose at least 50 lbs more to be within a "healthy" weight range for my height before I transition off of the meal replacement products. I've been prescribed three liquid meal replacements and one protein bar a day. I like to blend the shakes (especially chocolate pudding) with extra water and ice. Adding a dash of cinnamon to the chocolate shake is good too. I also have tried adding different seasonings/spices (garlic, red peppers, chili spice, etc.) to the soups. For all the naysayers, I have had days/weeks where, due to work circumstances or other events, I haven't been able to use all or any of the products, but by using My Fitness Pal I strive to keep my intake of "off product" food within the same, low, daily carb, calorie, and fat levels as the program. You can do it without this program...but with this program I'm doing it faster so I can move more quickly into the maintainence phase that isn't as restrictive every day.

tyediri

jultut wrote: »

I started the medically supervised New Direction program at the end of July, and in less than three months I am down over 50 lbs. I would like to lose at least 50 lbs more to be within a "healthy" weight range for my height before I transition off of the meal replacement products. I've been prescribed three liquid meal replacements and one protein bar a day. I like to blend the shakes (especially chocolate pudding) with extra water and ice. Adding a dash of cinnamon to the chocolate shake is good too. I also have tried adding different seasonings/spices (garlic, red peppers, chili spice, etc.) to the soups. For all the naysayers, I have had days/weeks where, due to work circumstances or other events, I haven't been able to use all or any of the products, but by using My Fitness Pal I strive to keep my intake of "off product" food within the same, low, daily carb, calorie, and fat levels as the program. You can do it without this program...but with this program I'm doing it faster so I can move more quickly into the maintainence phase that isn't as restrictive every day.

That is amazing weight loss, so well done you!
However, losing weight "faster" makes it more difficult when it comes to maintenance. I am speaking from experience, this is my 3rd time on MFP, and it took me 3 tries to understand that. Lost the weight and got to my goal weight fast both times and gained all the weight back within a year.
Am on a much slower 0.5kg every 10 days MAX loss now.

Just be careful with maintenance when you get there. Losing the weight is easy when compared with keeping it off!

GOod luck!

jultut

tyediri wrote: »

That is amazing weight loss, so well done you!
However, losing weight "faster" makes it more difficult when it comes to maintenance. I am speaking from experience, this is my 3rd time on MFP, and it took me 3 tries to understand that. Lost the weight and got to my goal weight fast both times and gained all the weight back within a year.
Am on a much slower 0.5kg every 10 days MAX loss now.

Just be careful with maintenance when you get there. Losing the weight is easy when compared with keeping it off!

GOod luck!

Thanks, tyediri. I've lost over a hundred pounds before--doing it without medical supervision and not getting as much protein, vitamins, nutrients, as on this plan--and keeping it off for over 20 years. However, some medical issues and steroid treatments sent my weight up and up so it was either this program or GB surgery for me. I decided to do this program first, and I am SO glad that I did rather than surgery!

DelilahCat0212

This is a last ditch program for people who's only other option is WLS. I should know, I'm on it. You need to be extremely overweight/obese to even get in the program. They want the weight lost fast because they want people like me (diabetic, HBP) to get their numbers down. I did the whole counting calories thing - MFP and weight watchers. I was hungry all the time. I did the lose 2 pounds, gain 1 pound chacha dance week after week. I never got off the medications, no matter how much I lost. It gets old and you give up. My doctor is extremely flexible, and it is not about the amount of product they sell. I could buy no product if I want to and still be in the program. Yes I can do it alone but having that support system? Nutritionists, behaviorists, the doc, exercise physiologists, etc? Priceless.