Do meal replacements really work?

When trying to choose a way to lose weight, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of choices that are out there, and unsure which of them really work.

Here are the three main reasons why you should consider using meal replacements to achieve your weight loss goals:

1. You consume less calories (easily!). Reducing your calorie intake is key to losing weight, but sometimes planning and sticking to a low-calorie diet can be challenging as it’s easy to mis-calculate your calorie intake and the meals may leave you feeling hungry. High quality, scientifically formulated meal replacements can help you feel fuller consuming fewer calories. Counterweight meal replacements contain 200 calories each, so there’s no guesswork required!
2. You receive the right nutrition. When you cut back on calories, it may be challenging to get all the nutrients you need. Counterweight meal replacements contain protein, fibre and all of the essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring that you are meeting your daily nutrient requirements.
3. They are easy and convenient (no, really!). One of the biggest barriers to losing weight is the time it takes to prepare healthy meals. When you’re in a hurry, it’s much easier to grab a takeaway or something processed. These meals are often higher in sugar and fat, which can seriously derail your weight loss efforts. Meals based on vegetables, fruit and protein  are ideal, but it’s not always practical to prepare them three times a day when you have a busy schedule! Meal replacement soups and shakes are the perfect solution - simply add water and you have a healthy, balanced, tasty meal in 3 minutes!

Yes meal replacements do work, but there is an important factor to consider: support. Research has shown that people who have support to change their behaviours during AND after weight loss, are much more likely to maintain the weight that they lose in the long term.

That is why Counterweight offers dietitian support packages alongside meal replacements, to give people the best chance of meeting their weight loss goals and to help them introduce new healthy habits after weight loss to maintain their new weight.

If you’re considering trying a meal replacement programme, you can read more about our Counterweight programme here.