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4 Secrets of What Makes a Good Weight Loss Plan: The Role of Shakes & Bars PDF Print E-mail
Written by Richard L. Lipman M.D.   
Wednesday, 28 January 2009 18:39

High Protein Shakes, Bars and Ready Made Meals Are NO  Answer to Losing Weight Just ask yourself  one question:  Can I eat these foods forever?  If the answer is "yes" go eat or drink them, if "no" find a better plan.

Everyday you are either bombarded by protein bars or shakes like Slim-Fast, EAS, Myoplex or Atkins or you see all of the celebrities who have lost weight on the commercial plans like Nutri-system, Jenny Craig, or the Zone.  Most are low fat, some low carb and all low calorie. All have easy portion control, some are cheap, others are expensive and all involve NO thinking.

After 4-6 months, where are you?   Right back where you started...... They don't work.

Good for the company, bad for you and your pocketbook.
Given these facts, do they have any place in a weight loss plan?

YES and NO, it depends upon the individual
If you have 5-10 lb. to lose, and want an easy way to do it, there is nothing  wrong with these plans.

However, for the individual who has much more to lose, they are clearly  a waste of money. They don't work.

After a few weeks,  the  dieter stops whatever plan he has tried. The shakes and ready made meals, either commercial or TV type meals fail for many reasons:

  • Lack  variety
  • Feelings of deprivation for the foods that taste "good"
  • Too complicated or takes too much time to shop & prepare
  • Too expensive
  • Individual is not "part of the family"
  • Boredom

Overweight people  have learned nothing trying these plans and they will quickly go back to the old habits and regain their  weight. Often the dieter ends up six months latter weighing more than  before he started.

What are the elements of a "workable" diet plan?

1. Dietary changes  have to be able to become permanent.

2. Must provide foods that are easy to find.

3. Foods have to have minimal preparation & easy portion control.

4. Most important foods have to satisfy hunger, carvings and be pleasing.

Drinking protein bars or  shakes  or eating ready made meals meet few, if any of these criteria. Diet shakes and prepared meals are fine to lose a few pounds. But they are not a serious answer to a  very serious problem.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 November 2009 02:00
 
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