02 Sep Is a ‘Soup and Shake’ Diet the Future of Weight Loss?
This week the NHS announced plans to offer ‘soup and shake diets’ to those with type 2 diabetes. Previously, meal replacement diets have been discussed for use by the NHS to help tackle the UK’s obesity crisis. So should you consider a meal replacement ‘soup and shake diet’ if you’re trying to lose weight?
MEAL REPLACEMENT DIETS: MY RESPONSE
It’s welcome news that the NHS have announced plans to tackle type 2 diabetes through dietary approaches, rather than relying on medication or surgery. Meal replacement diets have proven to be successful not only in supporting reduction of body fat, but also in putting type 2 diabetes into remission. I have been working with a quality meal replacement diet for over a decade. I’ve seen first hand the life changing results they can deliver. It’s important to ensure meal replacements are carried out in a healthy way and that high quality products are used – these diets are not all created equal! It’s also key to ensure those losing weight are comprehensively supported in optimising their health, lifestyle and mindset to ensure lasting success.
Want to find out if a meal replacement is the right weight loss solution for you? Book a complimentary call with one of our nutritionists.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?
One study of 278 people across 10 GP practices in Oxfordshire saw half the participants following a meal replacement programme of soups and shakes for eight weeks. This diet saw them limiting their daily calorie intake to 810kcal per day for eight weeks, after which other foods were gradually reintroduced over four weeks. These participants saw a trained counsellor every week for 24 weeks, to help them stick to the diet plan and keep the weight off after the meal replacement plan finished. The remaining participants in the study followed the usual weight management advice and support from their GP.
THE RESULTS
Throughout the study, participants following the meal replacement programme lost more weight than those in the control group. One year on, they had lost on average 1st 9lb (10.7kg) compared with half a stone (3.1kg) for those in the usual weight loss group. The meal replacement programme group also showed noticeable improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol, while type-2 diabetes patients in the group were also able to reduce their medication (although the condition was not reversed). Prof Paul Aveyard, study author, GP and professor of behavioural medicine at the University of Oxford said the programme was an “effective intervention which GPs can confidently recommend, knowing that it leads to sustainable weight loss and lowers the risk of heart disease and diabetes”.
Find out more about the meal replacement diet we offer: What Is The Proteifine Diet?
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
ENSURE OPTIMAL PROTEIN
Protein intake is an important consideration for anyone wishing to lose weight. It’s essential for many aspects of health. It fills us up, keeps us satisfied and helps to prevent hunger and low energy levels. Protein helps prevent sagging skin by supporting collagen and elastin production and is integral to preserving muscle mass. This is important because protein deficient diets can result in muscle loss and therefore a reduction in metabolic rate (the rate at which we burn calories). This means that the chance of rebound weight gain is much higher. Check the nutrition information of any meal replacement product you consider to ensure they are based primarily on protein.
HEALTHY FATS
In the past it was believed that a low fat diet was the key to weight loss. Thankfully we now know better. It is essential to have an adequate intake of healthy fats in your diet, including omega 3. If you’re considering a meal replacement diet, it is a good idea to take a high quality omega 3 supplement. Very low calorie diets can often not provide enough fat so make sure you scrutinise any diet you consider carefully.
MICRONUTRITION
Maintaining an optimal intake of essential vitamins and minerals is also important. It’s not just about losing weight – optimising health and wellbeing and maintaining good energy levels are also key. Some meal replacement products have added vitamins and minerals, while with others, you’ll need to take a separate supplement.
EXPERT HELP
Don’t try and go it alone. Seek support from a qualified nutrition expert to make sure this approach to weight loss is right for you. An expert will ensure your plan, whether or not it is a soup and shake diet, is tailored to your individual needs. They should support you throughout the programme and make sure you transition off it in a healthy way.
MAINTENANCE PLAN
To ensure successful long term weight loss it’s important to improve your understanding of nutrition so that you know how to eat to maintain your weight loss. A comprehensive maintenance plan detailing how to structure healthy, nutritionally balanced meals is key. Meal ideas and practical strategies for handling events like holidays and Christmas are also helpful.
BEHAVIOURAL COACHING
The diet itself is only part of the solution. You may benefit from coaching to help overcome self-sabotaging behaviours, unhealthy habits and underlying causes of emotional eating.
ONE LAST THING…
It’s important to remember that not all meal replacement diets are created equal. We offer a ‘soup and shake diet’ style meal replacement diet in my clinic, Proteifine and find it to be a very effective, nutritionally-balanced approach to weight loss. But many others are not as nutritionally sound and are often lacking in protein and healthy fats, for a start. The meal replacement programme mentioned in the articles, Cambridge Diet, is not something I would recommend. Consider this – one of their shakes (Chocolate Velvet) contains a startling 24.7g sugar per serving. That’s over six teaspoons and more than that found in a two finger Twix bar! Always speak to a qualified nutritionist to identify the best approach to weight loss for you.
If you would like to find out more about ‘soup and shake’ meal replacement diets please don’t hesitate to contact us.