Any Meal replacements dieters out there?

Well, I tried, in a way. I paid for a "guaranteed" weight loss program (Quick Weight Loss Centers), got the written guarantee that I would lose 19.6 pounds in seven weeks. Turns out, the condition is that you buy their overpriced supplements, protein bars and shakes. I found equivalent stuff at a fraction of the cost at GNC (even cheaper at Sam's Club) and regular stores.

Once I started with MFP I realized that I was only eating 700 - 800 calories a day, including two whey protein shakes delivering 15 g protein each.

Unfortunately, after about five weeks I developed an allergy to either whey or soy protein isolate. My husband, following the same diet, broke out in hives, and I had to take him to the Emergency room.

So far after 3 months he lost 20 pounds, and I am down 17, so we can't complain (My goal is now to lose a total of 25 pounds). We both increased our calories to 1400 (him)/1200 (me). We are happy to include a little cheese that we didn't have before, and increased our intake of lean protein (mostly chicken breast that I buy in bulk and put under the grill, then freeze in 8 oz portions).

We concluded that engineered food is not good for us. It's overpriced and doesn't make sense, and with that allergy scare, we don't want to risk any more attacks. My favorite snack is hearts of Romaine Lettuce.

We pepare all our meals at home, and have a couple of bags with store-bought grilled chicken in the freezer. We have been travelling for a few weeks during that time, sticking with scrambled or poached eggs for breakfast, grilled fish or mixed salad with chicken for dinner, turkey breast or other lean stuff for lunch. We eat lots of green veggies, plus tomatoes and mushrooms, and limit our fruits to three portions a day (that's my toughest challenge, I love fruits).

Hope this helps - if you do meal replacements, please stay away from SlimFast. I have it on good authority that their products are actually harmful. Good luck on your endeavors, and if you want more details about our diet, just add me as a friend, ok?

rabbitjb wrote: »

Yes I replace high calorie meals and treats with accurately weighed and calorie counted meals and treats

and it works beautifully and for the first time ever I feel slightly confident that maintaining my weight loss will not be an issue - I am going to be in the 5% who do maintain

this soooooo much this

Hi Teal3me

I aren't now, but I was on a meal replacement diet a few years ago - and lost just under 13 stones in around 7 months. Did a full on no "real" food thing - three shakes/soups and a bar every day.

Since coming off it I have maintained well, gone up a bit, lost a bit, and are pretty much loving life and managing to stay at a healthy weight. I go to the gym and really do enjoy exercise now - that helps a hell of a lot when you want a extra bit of cake or a pasty

I used Lighter Life, went to pretty much every session, didn't cheat once, and then carried on afterwards to make sure I was on track and used their services to the full. My counsellor helped me with self control, portion control, learn about healthy eating, how to spot my eating triggers and keep cravings in check and loads more.

I did see loads of guys come along for a few weeks, drop their stone or two, and then just vanish - actually saw one guy come back three times in the period I was there!!

I think the replacement plans do work - but they really need some backup to help change the way the "user" thinks of food and themselves to maintain it.

I keep protein bars and protein powder for those days that I just don't care what I eat or having trouble wanting to eat. My husband is on a Doctor supervised program with meal replacement shakes and has lost almost 40 pounds (slowly, about 1-2 pounds per week). He generally only uses the meal replacement for breakfast and the shakes are his snacks.

I will point out again that meal replacement can be tricky because whole foods are best. If your meal replacement includes foods, like mine, aside from the powder you mix in water, you should be fine.

Ok here it goes. I will tell you this is super healthy, tast-I-licious and feels sinful to have every single morning for breakfast. I used to have a lot of symptoms from IBS until I introduced this into my diet. Now I have zero. No bloating, no constipation, no cramps. Ever. Keeps me going all morning!

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (the puree, not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup oikos non fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup milk (I use 1% but experiment to your taste)
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
Dash vanilla extract
Few dashes pumpkin pie spice
1-2 tsp flax or chia seeds

Throw it all in my Nutribullet and 30 seconds later I'M eating dessert for breakfast with zero guilt.

Meal replacements are quick fix tools that don't usually result in long term success. Changing habits (learning to ID and control portions, exercise, and eat the right foods) are where the focus should be. That will bring about sustainable change.

Meal replacements are successful boost for some. I hope it works out for you if you take that path. Make sure you get enough fiber and vitamins.

I use a Herbalife shake mix as breakfast about three to four times a week. It's quick and it fills me up until about 10:30 at work when I eat a piece of fruit or a small nonfat yogurt. I substitute the dairy for 4 ounces of water and 4 ounces of light soy milk because that's what I prefer. It's simple to prepare in the morning, takes about 30 seconds and keeps me full so I am not heading to the snack machine mid-morning. Other mornings I eat instant oatmeal or once a week my department gets bagels so I eat half the bagel for breakfast and the other half at lunch.

Whats the advantage of meal replacements? Is it simply convenience and being given x amount of calories in a packet? Why would any one meal replacement eb better than another? Is it support?