Shake Diet, Yes or No?

AnnElizabeth11
AnnElizabeth11 Posts: 30
in Health and Weight Loss
I was just wondering other people's opinions/advice and or experience on this. Our room mate right now did a shake diet (1 meal 2 shakes with healthy snacks in between) for about a month on an off and worked out daily for at least one hour with a combination of cardio and strength training and he has been doing this for almost 9 months now and has lost about 80lbs. I've been doing water fasting and was wondering if this were a good way to go about giving my body extra nutrients, as I do take daily vitamins to help my body get what it needs while I am water fasting. Since doing this I have lost 20 lbs and the weight has been staying off. Was just wondering if this has helped any body out fairly well or does it just work for some body types and not for everyone type of deal. Thank you :)
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Replies

  • Rizjis
    Rizjis Posts: 16 Member
    No. there's no satiety to shake diets. Just eat filling low calorie foods like fruits and veggies to add bulk and keep calories low. Ive tried a couple different shake diets, and they last .... 4 days at most before I go nuts not eating food!
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    No. It is just a way of calorie restriction.
  • WannabeStressFree
    WannabeStressFree Posts: 340 Member
    As a reformed dieter of all sorts...I say no!! You will lose weight while on them, but then re gain the weight when your body is finally fed real nutrients and calories.
    I've dieted for over 20 years now, and have come to the conclusion that doing it the right way (balanced diet with exercise) wins out everytime.
    I recommend for you to do more research, become informed and I wish you a healthy weight loss.
    xo
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Shake diets don't teach you how to properly portion your meals, so when you do lose weight having the shakes and go back to eating real food again, you will most likely gain the weight back since you didn't go through the learning process of counting calories, determining how many calories your body needs, etc.

    Shake diets are quick fixes that tend to not end well at all.
  • laele75
    laele75 Posts: 283 Member
    I'd ask what a 'water fast' is, but I don't think I want to know...
  • lamimi1605
    lamimi1605 Posts: 1
    Hello I'm currently using the shake diet and I love it I have loss a total of 27lbs. I wish I would have know about myfitnesspal when I started my journey about 3 months ago So it worked for me I say try it and see what results you get. Oh and I did Zumba 3 times a week.
  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    I was just wondering other people's opinions/advice and or experience on this. Our room mate right now did a shake diet (1 meal 2 shakes with healthy snacks in between) for about a month on an off and worked out daily for at least one hour with a combination of cardio and strength training and he has been doing this for almost 9 months now and has lost about 80lbs. I've been doing water fasting and was wondering if this were a good way to go about giving my body extra nutrients, as I do take daily vitamins to help my body get what it needs while I am water fasting. Since doing this I have lost 20 lbs and the weight has been staying off. Was just wondering if this has helped any body out fairly well or does it just work for some body types and not for everyone type of deal. Thank you :)

    You've been living off of water and a daily vitamin? If so, sure, start adding shakes. It's food at least.
  • Lovelovesme
    Lovelovesme Posts: 37 Member
    I'd say no, if you're in any way interested in actually improving your health over just being slim and malnourished.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I've pretty much decided that if it says "diet", I say "don't do it!". :tongue:

    Most "diets", whether its a shake or whatever, are just temporary things, possibly a way to drop some pounds on the scale, but not sustainable, usually not cheap, and people who do lose end up burning out and gaining the weight back.

    Better off using the free tools right here at MFP - enter your info correctly, eat your calories (goal means GOAL! :wink: ), exercise, drink water, get good rest. Be honest and accurate with your diary - it's a wonderful tool and a great way to see where you can make improvements and better choices while meeting your calorie goals, as well as getting good protein, carbs and fat - good nutrition!

    Make the life changes that last, changes that you can stick with for life, and no have to worry about "falling off the wagon" or falling into the dreaded yo-yo dieting, putting your body through quick losses only to gain the weight back - frustrating and discouraging!

    Looking at your diary for the past few days, you definitely need to eat more - a lot more. You're not doing yourself any favors eating so little.
  • quiltlovinlisa
    quiltlovinlisa Posts: 1,710 Member
    You are starving yourself. You can't live off of 400-800 calories a day. You need to get help, professional help. You need to read up on proper nutrition. It's not worth it. It's not worth what will happen to you in the long run.
  • laurentourette94
    laurentourette94 Posts: 4
    it is a good way to loose weight...but it is starvation...i did the sci mx diet for 2 month's and lost 3 stone with 2 shakes and a meal and was taking about 700 cals in,and taking with the sci mx fat burners which made me feel like total crap..coz i couldnt sleep and was very active but very weak...eventually i got bored..but it does work..only problem then is keeping it off wich is very difficult as it comes back on very quick x
  • Joehenny
    Joehenny Posts: 1,222 Member
    Both the shake diet, and your water diet are bad and nutrient deficient.
  • julianpoutram
    julianpoutram Posts: 331 Member
    NONONONONONNOOOOOOOO!
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Both the shake diet, and your water diet are bad and nutrient deficient.
    This. Both terrible ideas that teach nothing and will end with gaining all the weight back (usually plus more) once normal eating resumes. Unhealthy, metabolic damage, muscle loss, heart damage, it's really an endless list as to why they're bad ideas.
  • slimbettie
    slimbettie Posts: 686 Member
    Naaaah doesn't work for me. I would have the shake and half hour later a meal...= double trouble!
  • Poods71
    Poods71 Posts: 502 Member
    As a reformed dieter of all sorts...I say no!! You will lose weight while on them, but then re gain the weight when your body is finally fed real nutrients and calories.
    I've dieted for over 20 years now, and have come to the conclusion that doing it the right way (balanced diet with exercise) wins out everytime.
    I recommend for you to do more research, become informed and I wish you a healthy weight loss.
    xo


    ^^^^THIS
  • Poods71
    Poods71 Posts: 502 Member
    Shake diets don't teach you how to properly portion your meals, so when you do lose weight having the shakes and go back to eating real food again, you will most likely gain the weight back since you didn't go through the learning process of counting calories, determining how many calories your body needs, etc.

    Shake diets are quick fixes that tend to not end well at all.


    ^^^^ AND THIS
  • Poods71
    Poods71 Posts: 502 Member
    NONONONONONNOOOOOOOO!


    ^^^ AND DEFINITELY THIS :)
  • scottaworley
    scottaworley Posts: 871 Member
    nononononononono

    ETA: oops. didn't see someone else already do that.
    That's how you know it's bad.
  • julianpoutram
    julianpoutram Posts: 331 Member
    nononononononono

    ETA: oops. didn't see someone else already do that.
    That's how you know it's bad.

    I'm glad people feel as strongly as I do! You are setting yourself up for failure immediately! DON'T DO IT!

    P.S. Diets don't work, change the way you eat permanently and for the better and exercise. It is that simple! Find some sports you enjoy doing and DO THEM LOADS! Or join a gym which is how I lost a large bulk of my weight!
  • HefferSprint
    HefferSprint Posts: 124 Member
    Ditto on the shakes. I did Jenny Craig for a year. Weighed the exact same when I finished a year. Why? Because if you think 3 tortellini's in a tiny can make a nice lunch, then it might work. I always ate more. Double trouble indeed.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Not sure if serious.

    But in case you are.....Just NO. Eat real food, in the proper amount.
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    Nope, just a calorie deficit.
  • TeresaAlice1968
    TeresaAlice1968 Posts: 12 Member
    Water fasting is a horrible idea ! Please eat healthy well balanced meals. The problem with the shake diets is you always gain weight back. Portion control and exercise is all you need:)
  • garciabnm
    garciabnm Posts: 138
    i lost over 165lbs doing this so called "fad" thing 2 shakes a day, small snacks in between. It worked for me, Maybe its not for everyone, but I have been able to maintain, and eat regular food when im not in the mood for a shake. To each their own I say,
  • dakitten2
    dakitten2 Posts: 888 Member
    Just say NO! I speak from experience. Did a shake diet in my 30's. I was allowed a total of 3 shakes per day, 110 calories each, total 330 total daily calorie intake. Oh I lost the weight so quickly. I would pass out often. I developed irregular heartbeats and ended up in the hospital. Got me from 169 pounds to 115. Then the kicker after the hospital stay. I returned to real foods, didn't monitor anything and over the course of years I ate my way from 115 to 290. It was totally unsustainable and healthy and I royally screwed up my metabolism.

    I've found the mfp way (used properly) is getting me where I want to be and I can still eat real food. You wont find any kind of shake whatsoever in my diary.
  • BEEUK
    BEEUK Posts: 113
    Work out your BMR, then your TDEE, then calculate what you should be eating and eat it.

    Quick fix fad diets leave you yo-yoing between weight, not getting proper nutrition and constantly reinforcing bad habits.

    If you want to 'get fit' then start training (cardio, strength, based around whatever your goals are), please don't water fast or use shakes as a replacement meal. You won’t reach your goals. This is coming from a seasoned yo–yoer who wanted the quick route and never got there.

    Good luck!
  • Michelle_dirtracer
    Michelle_dirtracer Posts: 245
    If it helps, why not? I started the GNC lean shakes last Thursday. So far, I have lost 3 lbs. I always run at least a mile and a half everyday. I only do the shakes during the week while at work because I am not allowed a lunch break so it is easy to do. I eat a sensible dinner.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    If it helps, why not?

    Because for many, it only causes a yo-yo effect of weight gain after they begin to eat regularly again. In the long run, that hurts more than it helps.
  • SurfyFriend
    SurfyFriend Posts: 362 Member
    Water fasting is a big no no for weight loss although it can help with spirituality. However, you will probably gain back the weight you lost.
    Shake diets. No.
    Learn how to live a balanced lifestyle with healthy components, in moderation. Use myfitnesspal as a tool to help regulate the.amount of nutrients and calories for your specific goals.

    There are no short cuts to healthy weight loss.

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