Rationale
Research shows that the greater the variety and palatability of food in a given meal, the greater the caloric intake. A study conducted at Johns Hopkins University has shown that as the variety of food choices decreases, the lower the caloric intake. People eat less when they have fewer food choices because the satiety or hunger is sensory-specific.
The concept of stimuli narrowing or stimulus control is based on the theory that people attempting weight management may be able to better manage the amount and types of food they consume if the food stimuli to which they are exposed are controlled or limited. Patients lose on average 1-4 or 5 pounds per week depending on the caloric intake and their level of exercise.
Meal replacements can be of the VLCD (very low calorie diet) variety which is about 800 calories per day or an LCD (low calorie diet) which ranges from 900-1500 calories per day. Patients can be given a choice of complete meal replacements without regular food or with some regular food in the case of a VLCD. Most patients on a LCD will have a hybrid diet consisting of regular food and 3 to 4 meal replacements per day. The use of meal replacements is ideal for people who are mildly overweight to morbidly obese. The program is individualized for each patient and based on a patient's body composition and BMI.
Studies have shown that the rate of weight loss with the VLCD is much faster in the short run than LCDs. However, in the long run, not only is the LCD weight loss similar to the VLCD, but also the weight loss is more likely to be sustained with an LCD. VLCDs are useful for patients who must lose weight rapidly for medical purposes. Patients can start with a VLCD and switch to a LCD. In both cases, medical supervision is necessary to assure healthy weight loss, adequate protein, nutrient intake, and to monitor and preserve lean body tissue. These diets may cause excessive muscle loss if meals and supplements are omitted and adequate dietary protein is not consumed. Dr. Terlinsky will monitor body composition each month to assure proper and healthy weight loss. The doctor will also calculate the necessary quantity of protein intake for each patient and provide easy-to-understand instructions on how to calculate daily protein intake. The great advantages of VLCD and LCD are that low insulin stimulating daily meal plans (so called low glycemic load) can be devised which will control hunger, burn more body fat and keep blood sugar from swinging wildly from high to low.
Frequently Asked Questions About Meal Replacements:
Q. Why would I want to go on a VLCD using meal replacements without eating food? That sounds bizarre and unnatural?
A. Have you tried losing weight by carefully measuring your food portions and noticed that the scale still doesn't move? Many people find it difficult to accurately determine portion sizes and eat consistent amounts of food day after day. In fact, studies show that most people actually consume about 50% more calories than they actually think they do this is mostly because they are in denial about what they eat. They simply so not have the skills to accurately track what they are eating.
Clinical studies also show that when people are given very few food choices. Or even no food choices, it easier to decrease the amount or calories they consume each day. By taking away the selection and preparation of foods and reducing the array of available foods, people lose weight. This is the concept called "stimuli narrowing." By using a portion-controlled formula diet, all the nutrition needed each day is included. The benefits of this type of diet are in the reduced calories, complete nutrition, and perhaps mostly important, in the ability to stick with the diet because no food choices are made!
Imagine taking a break from food. While your body loses weight and your health improves, you will use the time to learn about good nutrition and healthy eating habits so that when you are again eating food, you are better equipped to manage it.
Q. I've read that liquid diets are dangerous and people gain all of their weight back once they start eating regular food. Is this true?
A. The products used by Dr. Terlinsky have all the nutrients that are required for good health. This is something missing from many popular diets in the news. Today, meal replacement diets are medically supervised to ensure safety. When was the last time you were on a diet and were being closely followed by a physician who was trained specifically to help you, and to ensure the safety of your treatment?
As far as gaining back the weight: this could happen IF a person just did the meal replacement diet and made no other lifestyle changes or learned nothing about good nutrition. Dr. Terlinsky and Nu-Living provide very intensive education and support. This is necessary to help individuals to successfully discover their own issues related to weight management and help guide their habits. A maintenance program provides the on-going support needed to help make these long-term changes in your lifestyle.
Q. Will I be hungry if I'm not eating regular foods?
A. The feeling of hunger and the impulsive desire to eat are real concerns. The causes of hunger, whether physical or emotional are difficult to determine to increase success in sticking with the diet program, controlling hunger is primary objective. This control involves both preventing and managing hunger sensations. Various techniques to accomplish this goal will be presented. The good news is that, for most participants, hunger sensations fade within a few days to two weeks after starting the program.
Q. What can I do if I'm invited out to eat while I’m on the program?
A. Dealing with social eating events is one of the topics that will be covered in the program. There are a number of options to consider and strategies that people have successfully used to help them enjoy these social events and still stick to the program.
Q. After I'm done using the meal replacements products, what makes this program different from any other diet?
A. Our program isn't merely a "diet" - it is also a system of food control. We will teach you about food triggers and how to avoid them and mange them. The topic of deprivation will be covered as well as relapse containment. By learning a new way to prepare food and to integrate stress management and exercise into your life; long term success will be much more likely.
Q. How do the meal replacement products taste?
A. Most individuals find them pleasant and satisfying. Some enjoy the variety of flavors. Remember that these products are designed to replace food entirely for a limited duration of time. This makes them much different than some commercially available nutritional formulas and products, both in taste and nutritional quality.